Barona MX (Barona Oaks)

Barona MX, also known as Barona Oaks, is one of Southern California's most storied motocross parks, running for more than 40 years next to the Barona Reservation in the hills of San Diego County, minutes from Barona Resort and Casino. The nickname on the gate is Home of Champions, and the family-focused operation lives up to it with 83.8 acres, three professionally groomed and watered tracks, a dedicated beginner training area, more than 5 miles of off-road terrain and one of the most organized practice programs in the region.

The main track is fast and flowing, with big forgiving jumps, double sections, step-ups, and wide corners that leave multiple passing lines. The AM and vet track, completely rebuilt in partnership with Shreddy Life, gives amateurs and veterans a tamer layout, and a full-time protected pee-wee track keeps young riders clear of big bikes. About 5 miles of off-road trails twist through the surrounding landscape for a change of pace.

Respect the dirt: beneath the beautiful prep, the soil carries hard silica and loose, pebbly surface rock that can ride deceptively slippery, and the roost is heavy enough that a chest protector and wrap-around handguards are strongly recommended.

Open practice runs Saturdays and Sundays, 7:30 AM to 1 PM, with gates opening at 6:45 AM and closing 30 minutes after the last moto. All three tracks run both days, and Sunday adds a Surron and e-bike session on the vet and kid tracks. Monday through Thursday the park is closed to the public but available for rentals, private events and private training. Riding is $40 a rider on any track, spectators are $10, and kids 12 and under spectate free along with one parent per mini rider. Practice tickets sell online ahead of time with a $1 service fee, and the online safety waiver has to be completed before every visit. Starting in October 2026, a monthly membership is $200 a month for one rider and covers unlimited regular open practice days, with one waiver signing per month, 10% off at the Snack Shack and a members-only ride day each month. Memberships run from the first through the last day of the month, and the track has said the rate goes up at the first of the year. The ticket pages on the site still show 9 AM to 2 PM and Thursday sessions, so check the track's Instagram before you load up.

Overnight camping is permitted at $30 a day with shaded spots and a small seasonal stream, under a strict 10pm quiet time. The Snack Shack, clean restrooms and Barona MX merch are on site, full riding gear is required, and pit vehicles are held to 5 mph. Paintball, drag racing and circle-track racing sit nearby for the rest of the weekend.

For San Diego, El Cajon, Santee, Poway, and Ramona riders, Barona is the east county home track, about 40 minutes from downtown San Diego up Wildcat Canyon Road.

(619) 888-4037. Book practice at barona-mx.com.