Desert Riding Season in Southern California: OHV Rules Guide

Desert riding season in Southern California picks up on October 1, when the Bureau of Land Management begins requiring permits at the Imperial Sand Dunes. Before you load up, make sure your off-highway vehicle has a current Green or Red Sticker, you know the helmet rules for your machine, and you have a plan for heat, water and getting help.

Picture a rider in Fontana who spent the summer working on a dirt bike in the garage. The bike is ready. The paperwork, the permit and the trip plan decide whether the weekend goes smoothly.

Step 1: Check Your Green or Red Sticker

If your dirt bike, ATV or side-by-side is not street registered, it still needs off-highway registration. According to the California State Parks Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation (OHMVR) Division, the DMV issues a Green or Red Sticker for off-highway vehicles. The registration is valid for two years, and the fee is $54 per vehicle.

The Green Sticker "indicates vehicles allowed to operate on public lands open to motor vehicles all year." Check the date on yours now. A sticker that ran out over the summer is easy to miss.

What changed for Red Sticker bikes

The Red Sticker goes to motorcycles and ATVs from model years 2003 through 2021 that do not meet California Air Resources Board emission standards. Those machines used to be limited to set riding seasons. The OHMVR Division FAQ says that in 2025 they are no longer restricted to a riding season and are allowed year-round access to OHV recreation areas.

There is a catch for newer machines. The division's legislation updates page says model year 2022 and newer off-highway motorcycles and ATVs that would have received a Red Sticker can no longer be registered for use on public lands.

Riding with friends from out of state

Visitors whose off-highway vehicles lack valid registration from their home state can ride with a California Nonresident OHV Use Permit. The OHMVR nonresident permit page lists the cost at $30, plus a $1.95 fee online, and says 2026 permits cover January 1 through December 31, 2026.

Step 2: Know the Helmet and Age Rules

Helmet rules depend on what you ride. The OHMVR FAQ states: "The operator and any passenger of an ATV must wear an approved helmet." For off-highway motorcycles, it says a helmet "is not required by law when operating a motorcycle off-highway although it is highly recommended."

Young ATV riders have extra rules. Riders ages 14 to 17 need an ATV Safety Certificate or supervision by an adult who has one. Riders 13 and under must be directly supervised by a parent, guardian or an adult they authorize, and that adult must hold a certificate if the rider does not. If you are new to quads, our guide on what to do before your first ATV arrives covers the basics.

Step 3: Get Your Imperial Sand Dunes Permit

The Imperial Sand Dunes sit in the southeast corner of California, reached from Brawley or Yuma by Highway 78 or Interstate 8. The BLM says the dune system "extends for more than 40 miles in a band averaging 5 miles wide."

Permits are required from October 1 through April 15. Under the BLM fees that took effect October 1, 2025, weekly permits cost $55 bought off site and $70 on site, and a season permit costs $185. The fee applies to your primary vehicle, the street-legal vehicle you drive in with. The BLM says permits are sold online at isdpermits.net, so buying ahead saves money.

Dune rules to know before you arrive

The BLM's rules and regulations page lists several that catch first-timers:

• Every vehicle needs a whip mast with a 6 x 12 inch red or orange flag, reaching 8 feet from the ground to the tip.
• Display your permit in the windshield, date side out.
• OHVs are limited to 15 mph within 500 feet of Highway 78, Grays Well Road, Gecko Road and the access roads in the Gecko and Roadrunner recreation sites.
• No glass beverage containers are allowed.

Step 4: Consider a State Park Option

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, in Imperial and San Diego counties, has approximately 85,000 acres open for off-highway riding. State Parks says "No fees are collected for camping or day use," and the park is open 24 hours a day.

Its safety page, Safe Riding Starts With You, works anywhere in the desert. Keep your speed under 15 mph near campsites or groups of people. Check for unexpected drop-offs in washes, and know what is on the other side of a hill or dune.

Step 5: Plan for Heat, Water and Help

Never plan a desert ride alone. State Parks advises: "Always ride with at least one other person, but preferably in groups of three." One person can stay with an injured rider while another goes for help. The same page adds: "Never move an injured rider."

Know the signs of heat illness. The National Weather Service lists heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, a fast and weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, headache and fainting as signs of heat exhaustion. Move the person somewhere cooler, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths and offer sips of water. Get medical help right away if the person is vomiting, if symptoms get worse, or if they last longer than an hour.

Heat stroke is more serious. Signs include confusion, slurred speech, a body temperature above 103 degrees and hot, red, dry or damp skin. The Weather Service says to call 911 right away: "Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal."

Tell someone where you are riding and when you expect to be back. For more, browse our motorcycle and riding advice and our advice library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Green Sticker to ride in the California desert?

If your off-highway vehicle is not registered for the street, yes. The DMV issues a Green or Red Sticker for off-highway vehicles. According to California State Parks, registration costs $54 per vehicle and is valid for two years.

Can Red Sticker bikes ride all year now?

Yes. California State Parks says that in 2025, model year 2003 through 2021 ATVs and motorcycles designated Red Sticker were no longer restricted to a riding season and are allowed year-round access to OHV recreation areas.

How much is an Imperial Sand Dunes permit?

Under BLM fees that took effect October 1, 2025, a weekly permit costs $55 bought off site or $70 on site, and a season permit costs $185. Permits are required from October 1 through April 15.

Is a helmet required on an ATV in California?

Yes. California State Parks says the operator and any passenger of an ATV must wear an approved helmet. A helmet is not required by law on an off-highway motorcycle, but State Parks says it is highly recommended.

Protecting Your Bike and Your Trip

A desert weekend puts your machine, trailer and tow vehicle far from home. At Farmers Insurance - Young Douglas, our agents can walk through protection for off-highway vehicles, motorcycles and the trucks and trailers that haul them. Coverage depends on your policy, and a short review before the season can answer questions about theft, damage and liability. Get a free quote and coverage review with our team.

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Written by LaMonte Douglas, owner of Young Douglas Insurance, a Farmers Insurance agency serving California from Ontario. CA License #4091974.

Sources (accessed September 23, 2026 unless dated): OHMVR Division, OHV Registration; OHMVR Division, FAQ; OHMVR Division, Legislation Updates; OHMVR Division, Nonresident Permits; BLM, Imperial Sand Dunes; BLM, fee changes, September 19, 2025; BLM, Rules and Regulations; State Parks, Ocotillo Wells SVRA; State Parks, Safe Riding Starts With You; National Weather Service, Heat Related Illnesses.

Last updated: September 23, 2026.