For all those in California and surrounding areas that like to play off road in Johnson Valley, you’ll have to watch out for military testing in August.
From August 11-25, the Johnson Valley shared use area, about 56,000 acres, will be shut down to off-roaders so that the Marine Corps can use it for training. It’s not all bad news though, as the 43,000 acres known as the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area will remain open. For a map outlining the shared use area that will be closed off, click here.
READ MORE: Announcement Regarding August Closure Dates for Johnson Valley Shared Use Area
This has been going on in Johnson Valley since 2006, though the combat center for training Marines has been in Twentynine Palms, California since 1952. The land will be used for combined arms, live-fire and maneuver training.
The closure time will allow for the military to clear the land of all recreational users and to clean the land of hazards before it reopens.
The Marines have already announced next year’s closure as well, which will take place from August 1-30.