When most people think of Johnson Valley, they picture ultra-capable Broncos or full-on race vehicles charging across the desert. But this famous Southern California OHV area isn’t just for big builds and rock crawlers, your Bronco Sport can absolutely have a blast out there, as long as you prepare for your journey and drive smart. We’ve spent several days exploring this area in a stock Bronco Sport Badlands, and you can definitely have a fun time here, driving and camping.
This article covers what to pack, some safety tips, and two of my favorite starter routes, both easy and scenic day trips: Cougar Buttes and Soggy Dry Lake. These routes give you a taste of Johnson Valley’s iconic scenery and open OHV area, while staying within any Bronco Sport’s capabilities.
There are not too many places to stay if you’re going to be visiting Johnson Valley for a few days. If you’re out in milder weather, consider camping or there are some hotels in nearby Yucca Valley, even towns like Big Bear are not too far away and have good lodging as well as several Airbnb’s available.
Before You Go: Preparation is Key
Off-roading anywhere in the desert requires planning. Out there, services can be far apart and cell coverage is everything between great to none. Make sure you and your Bronco Sport are ready, especially if you’ll be traveling in just one vehicle, and make sure someone knows where you’re going.
Fuel and Food: Lucerne Valley is your last reliable stop before heading into Johnson Valley. It’s about 35 miles south of Barstow and has gas, groceries, and one of my all-time favorite snack stops: Café 247. Located at the four-way stop, Café 247 is known for its sandwiches, stellar milkshakes, and live music on weekends. Fill your Bronco Sport’s tank and your stomach before heading out.
Water: Bring plenty, more than you think you’ll need. The desert is dry, and dehydration can sneak up on you. The recommendation is at least 1 gallon per person per day and don’t forget extra if you’ll be camping.
Recovery Gear: Even with the capabilities of the Bronco Sport, sand and loose terrain can cause trouble. Pack your traction boards, a shovel, and a tire inflator/deflator kit with an air compressor.
Navigation: A paper map or downloaded offline maps are highly recommended. Apps like OnX Offroad or Gaia GPS work great if you’ve preloaded your maps. It’s fun to see your location but remember, many routes are not on a map so use your apps as a guide to get you back to the pavement.
Other Essentials: Sunscreen, hats, snacks, and a first-aid kit. The desert is beautiful but unforgiving if you’re unprepared. Believe it or not, take some warm clothes just in case, nighttime is much cooler and a jacket may come in handy.
Route One: Cougar Buttes
From Lucerne Valley, head east on Route 247 for about 5 miles until you see the Camp Rock Road sign for Johnson Valley and turn north (left). The road starts paved and then transitions to good gravel for about 3.3 miles until you reach Power Line Road, easy to spot thanks to, you guessed it, the power lines overhead.
Turn right onto Power Line Road. The whoops (rolling dips) can be fun but take them slowly to avoid bottoming out. As you drive roughly 4 more miles, the scenery begins to change—the desert floor and scattered housing gives way to massive boulder formations. Soon you’ll spot the first major rock features on your right, known as Cougar Buttes.
Cougar Buttes is one of Johnson Valley’s most iconic spots and a perfect place for Bronco Sport exploration. There are multiple areas to pose your Sport for photos. You can drive around the Buttes but keep an eye on your line. Some trails are sandy; consider airing down before leaving Camp Rock Road for better traction. One of the first things you’ll notice if you’ve never been in an open OHV area before is the multitude of trails heading off in every direction. Take your pick and if it gets too rough, move over a few yards to another one, just avoid running over any vegetation.
This area is also popular for camping, and sunset photos here are phenomenal. The Power Line Road (also known as Transmission Line Road) continues on, opening up to wide stretches of OHV land perfect for exploring at your own pace. Just remember: the closer you get to the big rocks, the rougher the terrain gets. If it looks like it’s getting too much, turn around. Also avoid driving near stone fire rings where camp spots have been as many people use pallets for fuel and the area may be full of nails.
Route Two: Soggy Dry Lake via Bessemer Mine Road
Another great beginner route starts back on Route 247, heading towards Landers. Look for the Bessemer Mine Road sign a few miles further and turn in. Like Camp Rock, it starts as a semi-graded road for about 3 miles before you hit Soggy Dry Lake, a wide, open lakebed that’s usually dry. The road continues but stop here for some photos and exploration.
If the surface is dry and firm, Soggy is a blast to drive across in your Sport. It’s also a great place to stop and take photos with the expansive desert backdrop. After you’re done, continue further east, staying between the hills along the main route, and you’ll come to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center boundary. The warning signs are very clear, do not cross, and yes, they mean it, but you can still explore the terrain along the perimeter for a way. Some of the routes heading west into the hills get rough quickly so use caution. Routes through the wash itself often have large rocks as well.
Driving Smart in Johnson Valley
Even though Johnson Valley is beginner-friendly in many areas, it’s easy to get in over your head. The most important advice: if the trail is getting rough and you’re questioning it, turn around. It will almost always get rougher. The Bronco Sport can go farther than most think, but caution is your friend in the desert.
Also keep in mind that this is a shared-use area. You may encounter dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and other off-roaders traveling at high speed. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Final Thoughts
Cougar Buttes and Soggy Dry Lake are fantastic starting points for exploring Johnson Valley in a Bronco Sport. The combination of wide-open desert, iconic rock formations, and beginner-friendly routes makes this an ideal place to build your off-road skills.
Next up in this series, I’ll share a route that will take you close to the Bronco Sport Summit area—stay tuned!
Comments
You must log in or register to post here.