Hungry Valley SVRA

This off-highway area, California’s second largest off-highway vehicular (OHV) recreation area, has hills and valleys, grassland, coastal sage scrub and oak woodland.

The park is a motorcycle, four-wheel drive, and all-terrain vehicle use area. There are about 130 miles of marked trails for all levels of OHV operators and hikers, from flat and level trails to steep and narrow. Also, over 150 miles of National Forest off-road routes available.

Location/Directions
in Gorman, 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 55 miles south of Bakersfield.

Traveling North on Interstate 5, exit at Smokey Bear Road. At the bottom of the off ramp take a left at the stop sign traveling under the freeway. At the next stop sign, make a left on Pyramid Lake Road and an immediate right onto Hungry Valley Road which is dirt. You will see a brown sign for Hungry Valley SVRA.

Traveling South on Interstate 5, take the Gorman Exit. Turn right at the bottom of the off ramp, then another right onto Peace Valley Road. The entrance to the park is one mile north on Peace Valley Road.

Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
Summer temperatures can peak in the low 100s.

Winter temperatures can reach the low 20s. Snowstorms occur seven or eight times a year.

Spring and fall are the most popular times to visit the park.

Facilities - Activities
A four-wheel drive obstacle course and a one-mile long practice track for motorcycles 100cc or larger are open to the public.

There is also a practice mini-track for beginning riders on ATVs and motorcycles up to 90cc. The track is located at the Smith Forks campground. The Quail Canyon Special Use Area is open to the public and has three tracks to accommodate most ages and rider abilities. There is a large motocross track, a vintage track, and a Pee Wee track. Please click on: More Information about Hungry Valley SVRA to view details and hours of operation for the Quail Canyon Special Use Area.

All off-road vehicles used in the park must be equipped with a spark arrestor and must have either a current highway registration or current off-highway vehicle green or red sticker. Red sticker riding season is October 1 - April 30. All operators must wear appropriate safety equipment. Even though the park is primarily an OHV park, hikers and mountain bikers can access areas of the park unavailable to OHV operators. Freeman Canyon and Overlook offer spectacular views of Hungry Valley.

The terrain ranges from 2,600 feet to over 8,000 feet on adjoining Los Padres National Forest. To the west of the area is a 60-acre hike-in natural preserve that protects stands of valley oak and native grasses. In the spring, the area has wildflower viewing Ranger led tours.

Visitors to the park should bring water, sunscreen, hats, and dress accordingly. Hikers should be aware that the park has ticks and chaparral, so shorts should not be worn.

Wildflower Update

For Current Wildflower Updates:

  • Southern California Wildflower Hotline - 818.768.3533, a service of the Theodore Payne Foundation.
  • Kern County Wildflower Hotline - 800.500.KERN (5376), providing the latest bloom information for the southern San Joaquin Valley and Tehachapi Mountains.