Motorcycle & ATV Recreation

Areas North-East of the San Andreas Fault (Adobe and Renz) are subject to seasonal closures due to the unique adobe clay soil for public safety and natural resource protection. Always check conditions on our webpage before arriving. View a map outlining these areas.

Current Weather Hollister Hills Weather Monitoring Station

Welcome to the Lower Ranch

Motorcycle and ATV Area

This 3,300-acre area, set aside for motorcycle and ATV use only, has about 128 miles of trails. Additional OHV opportunities include a vintage track, two practice motocross tracks, an ATV track, a TT track, an intermediate kids track, a beginner area, and a track for bikes and ATVs with an engine size of 90cc or less. Next to Walnut and Lodge Camps, there are two children’s areas set aside only for smaller motorcycles and ATVs with an engine size under 90cc.

There are four campgrounds located in the Lower Ranch. More information on Camping.

The San Andreas Fault divides the park into two different landscapes. Half of the Lower Ranch is on the Pacific Tectonic Plate, characterized by sandy granitic soil and steep terrain covered in chaparral plants like pine, sage, and sticky monkey flower. The other half of the Lower Ranch is on the North American Tectonic Plate, characterized by clay-rich adobe soil with rolling hills covered in grasslands and oak woodlands.

The areas located on the North American Plate are subject to seasonal closures due to the clay-rich adobe soil for public safety and natural resource protection. Check ahead of time on our website or follow us on social media for updates (Facebook & Instagram). The areas on the Pacific Plate are always open.

Are you ready to ride?

  • Is your registration for your motorcycle/ATV current and the sticker mounted properly? Are you riding in the correct season - red sticker season is OPEN October 1 through May 31 at Hollister Hills   SVRA. Red sticker season is CLOSED June 1 through September 31.
    When you register your off-highway vehicle (OHV) with the Department of Motor Vehicles, you will be issued a red or green sticker dependent on the type of OHV. Red sticker and green stickers are a method of regulation implemented by the California Air Resources Board to reduce air quality impact of OHV’s. To learn more, visit ww2.arb.ca.gov/
  • Do you have a United States Forest Service approved spark arrester?
  • Is your sound emissions less than 96 decibels? Noise Limit Law – AB 2274
  • Do you have the minimum appropriate safety gear? (Department of Transportation approved helmet, goggles, gloves, long sleeves/pants, and over the ankle riding boots.)
  • Don’t know where to start? Try one of our ATV or Motorcycle safety courses. Contact Cheryl.Ashton@parks.ca.gov.


 

Off Highway Vehicle Regulations

  • 96-decibels is the sound limit for bikes and ATV’s.
  • U.S. Forest Service approved spark arrestor. More Information
  • Registration: All vehicles operated off-highway on public lands in California are required to be street-licensed or registered as an OHV through the Department of Motor Vehicles and display a current green or red sticker. Funds generated from OHV registration are used for acquisition, development, and operation of OHV areas.
  • Out of State OHV: If a bike has current registration in a state with an Off-Highway Vehicle Program, then registration requirements do not apply. If the bike is registered to a state that does NOT offer an OHV Program, then the bike must have a Non-Resident Sticker. Non-Resident Stickers can be purchased at the Kiosk for $30. More Information About Non-Resident OHV Permits

To read more about OHV laws and safety, please visit our California State Parks OHV Laws/Safety page.

ATV's Specific Regulations

  • ATV’s must wear helmets.
  • ATV’s NO double riding.
  • ATV operators under the age of 18 must possess an appropriate safety certificate or be supervised by an adult who possess a safety certificate. Free ATV Safety training available on most fourth Saturdays of the month. Request Training
  • All California Vehicle Code laws pertaining to driving under the influence or open containers of alcohol and marijuana apply to off-highway. DO NOT DRIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
  • Motor vehicles must stay out of vegetated areas. Stay on designated trails and obey all signs.

Park Regulations

  • ATV’s and motorcycles are only allowed in the Lower Ranch.
  • Drones are not allowed in the park. To protect wildlife and cultural resources, and for the safety and welfare of visitors and staff, the park is closed to the use of Model Aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and Gliders in flight.
  • Loaded firearms and hunting are not allowed in units of the State Parks System. Possession of loaded firearms or air rifles is prohibited.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

The park is open 365 days a year, including holidays.

View our weather monitoring stations.

Areas North-East of the San Andreas Fault (Adobe and Renz in the Lower Ranch, and Hudner Ranch) are subject to seasonal closures due to the adobe soil for public safety and natural resource protection. Always check conditions on our webpage before arriving, or follow us on social media for updates (Facebook & Instagram). (View a Map of These Areas)

The park does not provide rentals of any equipment.

The park offers free wifi in the Lower Ranch campgrounds - Bee, Lodge, and Madrone.

Cell service is minimal at best and depends on your provider.

There is an automatic pay machine located in the Lower Ranch at the Ranger Station.

Camping is first-come, first-serve. Saving spaces is prohibited.

Thanksgiving week (fourth Thursday of November) and Easter week. The earlier you arrive, the more likely you will find a camping space or day use parking. During these weeks the park usually reaches capacity and you may be turned away at the gate. Availability of parking is determined by park staff and reserving of spaces is not allowed. Camping and day use is first-come, first serve.  We appreciate your patience during this hectic time of year.

If it can legally drive down the California highway, it can fit in any of our campgrounds. However, Bee campground in the Lower Ranch and Sycamore in the Upper Ranch has more trees/obstacles.

Yes, located in the day use area and Madrone campground.

(View More FAQ's)

Dirt Bike School - Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Hollister Hills Off-Road Association (HHORA) is proud to offer Motorcycle Safety Foundation Dirt Bike School. Certified coaches will teach you basic riding practices, including risk management and environmental awareness.

State Parks is offering the California State Park Adventure Pass, which provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 54 state parks throughout the state.

Cost: Free for HHORA members and Adventure Pass holders. To sign up for HHORA membership, visit www.hhora.org. To request an Adventure Pass, go to www.parks.ca.gov/adventurepass 

Ages: 7 and up.

Gear: training bikes and safety gear are available to use for the class.

Contact Cheryl.Ashton@parks.ca.gov to schedule your class.