About Baja ORV Area
The Baja ORV Area is a motorized riding area in the Buffalo Gap National Grassland near Scenic, South Dakota, on the edge of the Badlands. Managed by the US Forest Service Wall Ranger District, the Baja OHV Travel Management Area covers roughly 1,335 acres and is one of the few places in the region open to motorized cross country travel, with open play areas and hard packed trails winding through grassland and Badlands formations.
Riding at Baja
Baja draws dirt bikes, ATVs, side by sides and 4x4s with a mix of open riding and designated routes. The terrain runs from smooth hard pack to rocky buttes, washes and gumbo mud after rain, with the White River country and Badlands scenery all around. Riders rate it as a true backcountry experience, and because it is cross country travel area, you can explore off the beaten path rather than staying on a single loop.
The Badlands Setting
The area sits along Highway 44 between Scenic and Interior, about a half hour south of Wall and the famous Wall Drug. Many riders combine a Baja trip with the Railroad Buttes OHV area, the other well known riding spot on the Wall Ranger District. Rockhounding is popular here too, with surface collection only allowed, and dispersed camping is permitted nearby for riders who want to camp and ride.
Fees and Season
Riding at Baja is free and the area is generally open year round, weather permitting. Spring rains can turn the gumbo clay slick in a hurry, so most riders aim for dry stretches in late spring through fall. There are no services on site, so bring fuel, water and recovery gear.
Getting There
From Interstate 90 at Wall, head south on Highway 240 and then west on Highway 44 toward Scenic. The Baja staging area is off Highway 44 northeast of Scenic, South Dakota. The Wall Ranger District office at 708 Main Street in Wall has current maps and conditions.
Know Before You Go
Cell coverage is spotty in this corner of the grassland, so download maps before leaving pavement and let someone know your plan. Remember that the neighboring Badlands National Park is closed to off road vehicles, so keep your riding inside the marked Baja ORV Area boundary on grassland land. Street legal vehicles can fuel up in Wall or Interior, and the National Grasslands Visitor Center in Wall is worth a stop for maps, travel rules and advice on current conditions. Summer afternoons get hot and shade is scarce, so pack extra water, eye protection and a basic tool kit for every rider in your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Baja ORV Area?
The Baja OHV Travel Management Area covers about 1,335 acres of grassland and Badlands terrain.
What vehicles are allowed?
Dirt bikes, ATVs, side by sides and 4x4 vehicles, with the area open to motorized cross country travel.
Does it cost anything to ride?
No. Riding at Baja is free.
When is it open?
Generally year round, conditions permitting. Wet weather makes the clay very slick, so check conditions with the Wall Ranger District before a trip.
Can I camp there?
Dispersed camping is allowed in the surrounding Buffalo Gap National Grassland, with no developed campground on site.
Is rockhounding allowed?
Yes, surface collection only. No digging is permitted.
Where is the Baja ORV Area located?
In the Buffalo Gap National Grassland off Highway 44 near Scenic, South Dakota, about 30 minutes from Wall.
Who manages the area?
The US Forest Service Wall Ranger District, 708 Main Street, Wall, South Dakota, phone 605-279-2125.
Phone: 605-279-2125
More information on Baja ORV Area; Click here https://fs.usda.gov/r02/nebraska/recreation/baja-ohv-travel-management-area
For more venues click here: https://www.plainspowersports.com/category/atv/