King of the Hammers is the Daytona 500 of off-road racing. Ultra4Racing premier event that takes place in Johnson Valley, CA. Every year just after the Christmas holiday season my thoughts turn to KOH. It’s a full week of racing events, with so much more. Some have described it as the “Burning Man” for off-roaders. A 4×4 off-road culture experience, the types of vehicles and people you see is just plain crazy. You won’t find a more diverse gathering of off-road enthusiasts anywhere.
What is King of the Hammers
The toughest single-day off-road race in the world, King of the Hammers. It has become the largest off-road race event in North America. Having both the most spectators and competitors in this week-long racing experience. Ultra4 racing is the combination of desert racing and rock crawling. With the first single race in 2007 now expanding to a series of 5 races held over an entire week.
KOH Location
34°24′12″N 116°35′33″W Johnson Valley OHV Area, a BLM managed land area that hosts King of the Hammers each year. you can enter from several different areas. From Highway 247 at Old Woman Springs Road or Camp Rock Road, 55 miles southeast of Barstow. Most visitors enter the area off of Camp Rock Road by driving north off of Highway 247. Staging for competitive events is at Anderson Dry Lake, 10 miles north of Highway 247 and east of Camp Rock Road. please be aware of your surroundings at all times these are graded dirt roads, RV’s and trailers can easily travel on them. During KOH week there are thousands of OHV vehicles everywhere. King of the Hammer’s main camping is off of Boone Road and is the southernmost entrance into Johnson Valley OHV area. Base camp or “Hammertown” is located on means Dry lake bed.
Going to King of the Hammers
King of the Hammers an overload of off-road with a whole lot of fun mixed in. If you are wanting to go to KOH here are some tips on surviving and having a good time. Below are a few tips to help aide in your KOH experience. Not essentially required but, it will just help you have a more enjoyable time.
- Clothing, the weather in Johnson Valley in early February can vary a great bit. Some years the KOH race has been nice and warm mid 70’s during the day, others it has been a freezing dust storm. Check the weather prior to coming out.
- Food & Water there are a few places to eat if you are just out for the day. If you are camping bring plenty of food and especially water.
- Goggles or some sort of good eye protection. Johnson Valley OHV can be VERY dusty when you get 10,000+ of your closest fellow off-road enthusiasts all in one place.
- Your brain yes this is a fun event to see and to experience, but be smart about how you treat BLM lands. Bring trash bags to haul all of your trash out with you. Also, there is no glass container policy with the Johnson Valley OHV area. Do not bring firewood with nails in it that will be left behind after burned.
Visit Ultra4Racing.com for more information on King of the Hammers.