Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area offers an adrenaline-filled expanse. It is nestled in the Tejon Pass just off Interstate 5 near Gorman, California. Spanning 19,000 acres, this off-road oasis combines rugged terrain, dramatic elevation changes, and desert-meets-mountain ecosystems—ideal for riders, campers, hikers, and nature lovers.
What Makes Hungry Valley SVRA Unique
Hungry Valley SVRA is California’s third-largest off-highway vehicle (OHV) park. It crosses the San Andreas Fault and rises from 3,000 to nearly 6,000 feet. Its diverse terrain ranges from dry, dust-fine washes to adobe-jointed ridgelines and grassy meadows. Unique management zones preserve native grasslands and oak woodland oases amid premier motocross, ATV, jeep, and ROV trails.
Top Activities & Amenities
🏁 Off-Road Vehicle Trails & Training
The park offers over 130 miles of marked OHV trails. These trails span beginner to advanced levels. The park features motocross tracks and a 4×4 obstacle area. It also includes a youth ATV mini-track and open-play zones. Free ROV, ATV, and dirt-bike training programs are offered seasonally. All riders must use spark arresters; ROVs require 8-foot whips with flags.
🏕️ Camping & Group Facilities
Camping is available first-come, first-served across ten semi-developed campgrounds (Aliklik, Smith Forks, Lane Ranch and more), offering roughly 200 sites. Most include a shade ramada, picnic table, fire ring, vault restroom, trash and recycling receptacles. Several accessible sites are at Lane Ranch and other loops. Group camping is also available.
🚻 Restrooms, Showers & Water
Vault restrooms are available at every campground, with flush toilets and hot showers in select Lower Ranch areas. There is no potable water—bring your own or fill up offsite. A dump station is not available in the park, but there’s one nearby at the Flying J Travel Center and rest stops.
🍖 Picnic Areas & Trails
Shaded picnic ramadas with BBQ grills are located near staging areas throughout the park. Non-motorized visitors can hike or ride horses on marked trails in the Native Grasslands Management Area and Oak Woodland Preserve—expect scenic loops through seasonal creeks and wildflower displays.
🎣 Fishing, Wildlife & Photography
Fishing and hunting are prohibited. Wildlife watchers can spot deer, coyotes, and raptors. They can also see seasonal wildflowers like California poppies that flourish in spring. Photographers will appreciate the dramatic landforms, sunrise rays across ridgelines, and views along the San Andreas Fault.
🛠️ Visitor Center, Safety & Support Services
The staffed visitor center at the Gorman gate handles day-use fees, OHV permits, and displays park maps. First aid and emergency response are provided by ranger-staffed stations. Cellular reception is intermittent—there are four call boxes scattered in the valley.
♻️ Accessibility and Pet-Friendly Areas
Accessible vault toilets, picnic tables, and shade structures are provided in Lane Ranch and other loops. Leashed dogs are welcomed in day-use and campground areas but prohibited on OHV trails to preserve wildlife habitat.
Visitor Tips
- Fees: $5/day vehicle entry; camping $10/night per vehicle and $8 for extra vehicle. OHV Green/Red sticker and OHV pass required.
- Parking: Staging area parking available near each campground and trailhead.
- Water: No potable water—bring plenty or fill offsite.
- Camping: First-come basis; no reservations. Get there early on weekends.
- Safety Gear: Helmets, spark arresters, and whip flags (for ROVs) required. Check weather before visiting.
- Fire & Wood: Fires allowed only in campfire rings. Purchase firewood locally; no ground gathering.
- Seasons: Spring and fall offer mild temps and spring bloom; summers are hot and dusty; occasional winter snowfall.
- Closures: After the Post Fire, some eastern zones remain closed for restoration—check park alerts.
- Pets: Leashed dogs only in developed areas; none on OHV trails.
Local Insight & Seasonal Tip
For dust-free riding and vibrant spring wildflowers, plan your visit between late February and April. Arrive early on weekends to snag camps with shade ramadas at Lane Ranch. For a peaceful moment, hike the Oak Woodland Preserve at dusk—deer and owls often appear amid golden grass stems. After the ride, drive south a few miles to the historic Fort Tejon park or grab hearty fare in Gorman to recharge before heading home.