BLM Issues OHV Route Closures in West Mojave Desert

In response to a federal court order it received in January 2026, the BLM has closed approximately 2,200 miles of OHV routes in designated Desert Tortoise Critical Habitat in the western Mojave Desert for OHV Recreation.  In the greater Jawbone region, OHV routes to be closed are in the Rand Mountains, Red Mountain area, Cuddeback Lake, and Kramer Hills. In the Barstow region, OHV routes to be closed are north of Harper Valley and Hinkley, north of I-15 to the Cronese Lakes, and in the Ord, Newberry and Rodman Mountains.

 

The BLM has published to its website a map of the closure area and other guidance, which can be reached here:

 

 

Friends of Jawbone strongly encourages OHV operators to abide by the terms of the closure and permit requirements for the Rand Mountains Management Area.