Hungry Valley SVRA

Welcome to Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area!

Hungry Valley SVRA is the third largest unit of California State Park's Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division. Located in the Tejon Pass north of Los Angeles and along the Interstate 5 corridor, Hungry Valley offers 19,000 acres and more than 130 miles of scenic trails for motorcycle, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), dune buggies, and 4x4 recreation. All levels of OHV operator skills will be challenged by the wide variety of terrain and trails at Hungry Valley SVRA.

Elevations at Hungry Valley range from 3,000 to nearly 6,000 feet. Occasional snowfalls occur during the winter. Summers are most often hot, dry and dusty. The most pleasant times of the year for OHV fun are during the Spring and Fall months when the temperatures are mild and occasional rain showers make for good traction and reduced dust. Nighttime temperatures often drop below freezing in the Spring and Fall, as well as during the Winter.

The wide variety of trails at Hungry Valley provides excitement for both beginner and experienced off-roaders. For experienced OHVers challenging trails can be found in the hills and sand washes of the back- country section of the SVRA. Beginners can enjoy the scenery and relative ease of the trails in the Native Grasslands Management Area. Trails in the adjoining Los Padres National Forest are recommended for experienced riders only.

Recreational Land Management

Providing long-term, sustained OHV recreation opportunity is a top priority in SVRA Management. Provisions in California law require actions to stabilize soils and to provide for healthy wildlife populations in OHV recreation areas. Projects are ongoing to stabilize soil areas by reshaping slopes, reseeding and replanting bare areas. Vegetation creates wildlife habitat while plant roots help stabilize the soil. Project areas are temporarily closed to OHV use through the use of barriers, such as fences, hay bales, brush piles and signing. Where possible, well-designed OHV trails are provided through project areas. Other project areas may be closed for a number of years before being opened again for OHV use. Your understanding and support in staying out of areas closed for restoration helps ensure OHV recreation opportunities for years to come.

Where to get help
The State Park Rangers who patrol Hungry Valley SVRA are peace officers, who are trained Emergency Medical Responders. Entrance station employees and park maintenance personnel can also summon medical help. If no State Park personnel are available, dial 911 from any telephone. Pay phones are located at many business locations in Gorman. Cellular telephone coverage is intermittent throughout most of the SVRA. There are no emergency medical facilities in Gorman. The nearest hospital to Hungry Valley SVRA is Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, located approximately 30 miles to the south in Valencia. To drive to the hospital, take Interstate Highway 5 south to the McBean Parkway exit and turn left (east) on McBean Parkway. Henry Mayo Hospital is located approximately one mile from I-5 on the left-hand side at 23845 McBean Parkway.

Whips and Flags Required for ROVs

Starting November 1, 2022 a whip and flag is required on all side-by-sides (ROVs) at Hungry Valley SVRA

  • Whips must extend at least 8-feet high from the surface of the ground when securely mounted on the ROV.
  • Whips shall have an attached flag that is a minimum of 6-inches by 12-inches and attached to the top 10-inches of the whip.
  • Flags can be rectangle or triangle shaped
  • When the vehicle is stopped, the whip shall be capable of standing upright while supporting the weight of the flag.

Be seen before you get there!

Safe and Responsible OHV Operation

Safe and responsible OHV operation starts with proper training. The OHMVR Division has partnered with the Specialty Vehicle Institute of AmericaRecreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to provide Free ATV, ROV and dirt bike training. Each of the following SVRAs has at least one approved ATV training range and may have ranges for dirt bikes and/or ROVs as well:


For more information about OHV training, please refer to the following web pages.

Camping

Hungry Valley SVRA is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds. Quiet hours are 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

Semi-Developed Camping: Hungry Valley has eleven semi-developed campgrounds with over 200 campsites available on a first come, first serve basis. Located along Gold Hill Road and Hungry Valley Road, these campgrounds provide shade ramadas, picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and trash bins. Smith Forks Campground has flush toilets and sinks. Drinking water is not available in the park.

Group Campground: The Honey Valley Group Camp is a large group campground with shade ramadas, picnic tables, barbecue, and fire rings. You can reserve the Honey Valley Group Campground through Reserve California.

Fire / Firewood Restrictions: Open ground fires and firewood collection in the park are not allowed. If you plan to have a fire, you will need to buy firewood locally. Burn it where you buy it. Ask about any seasonal fire restrictions. Pallet burning is not allowed.

Dump Stations: There are no dump stations in the park. A dump station is available nearby in the town of Lebec at the truck stop or at the northbound and southbound rest areas. Seasonal dump services are also available at Pyramid Lake.

 

District Superintendent Orders

The following District Superintendent Orders have been implemented:

Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area
Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area lies in the heart of a complex geologic structure known as the Ridge Basin. The highly deformed rocks within the park bear stark witness to the tremendous forces that characterize the interplay between the San Andreas and San Gabriel Faults, which bound the basin and the park.

Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area(Photograph by Steve Reynolds)

The full Geo Gems report  |  Geological Gems of State Parks