Desert Rat Experience
FOR MEN AND BOYS
If you don’t have an off-road vehicle or 4×4, you will need to find a friend who has an extra bike or an extra seat belt. We will not provide any vehicles, bikes, or lodging. You don’t need to know anyone to come.
Includes great raffle prizes. All proceeds raised from the raffles go to Oceanside Women’s Resource Center, who help women in distress!!!!
We recommend the event for teens and above but trust dads to make the call on a younger boy. The brief teaching times will be appropriate for any age.
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Register by January 5 to be guaranteed a shirt
- WHEN: January 23-25, 2026
- WHERE: Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Area
- COST: $135 adult, $95 for 18 yrs old and under
- QUESTIONS? Email conferenceinfo@northcoastchurch.com
ADDITIONAL INFO
Check out this quick video of what you can expect at Desert Rat.
LOCATION!!!
Our Base Camp is located in Ocotillo Wells area, behind Blu-In.
State Highway 78 runs along the southern border of Ocotillo Wells SVRA (State Vehicular Recreation Area). If you are headed east on the 78, you will pass the ranger station on your left as you enter Ocotillo Wells SVRA. Drive until you see Blu-In Cafe (2189 Highway 78 Borrego Springs, Ca 92004) on your right-hand side. Pull into the parking lot and turn left heading towards the Blu-In RV Park. Turn right onto the dirt road at the DRAT entrance before getting to the RV park. Signs will be clearly marked to show the location of camp.
GROUND RULES:
- You are responsible to know and follow the rules and regulations at Ocotillo Wells SVRA as they relate to vehicle registration, speed, lights, mufflers, firearms, fireworks, fires, parental supervision and helmets. You can get further details at the Ocotillo Wells website.
- The Desert Rat Experience is an alcohol free event.
- Don’t bring firearms or fireworks; we are keeping it all legal.
- We will set up a “no-ride zone” in our camping area and ask that you take any pit racing a good distance from camp..
- Keep it safe and fun.
Check out last year’s schedule below to get an idea of what we will be doing. Event schedules will be posted for you to view upon arrival. We are intentionally keeping things pretty unstructured so you can ride as much as you want.
Friday
5:00-8:00pm Scheduled Arrival Time
5:00-8:00pm Check in / Registration
9:00pm Orientation/Refuel Meeting #1
10:00pm Campfire
Saturday
7:00am Fire going and coffee on
7:30am Breakfast
9:00am Morning Refuel Meeting #2
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Award Presentation/Refuel Meeting #3
8:00pm Campfire
Sunday
7:30am Fire going, coffee on
7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Wrap up Refuel Meeting #4
10:00am Program ends – clean up
- As many toys as you can fit in your trailer or toy hauler.
- Everything you need to live in the desert for a couple days (tent, trailer, sleeping bag, camping gear, etc…) We will not be providing any lodging, equipment or vehicles.
- Appropriate gear and clothing for daytime heat and nighttime cold. (The desert can hit temperature extremes in either direction and wind and rain are always possibilities).
- Fuel and tools for the toys (closest gas is on Highway 86 at Salton City – 25 miles.)
- Food, water and beverages for the weekend. We will provide breakfast and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Bring your own lunches and snacks.
- Any safety or recovery equipment you would normally bring to the desert
- Bible
Optional Gear:
- GPS or compass may be helpful for the poker run
- CB or two-way radio to communicate with other vehicles
- Cell Phone
Contact Vikki with registration or payment questions.
Email: conferenceinfo@northcoastchurch.com
Phone: (760) 724-6700 x270.
Desert Rat Impact: Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event and prizes include Desert Rat swag and more!
If you have something of value that you would like to donate to the raffle, please contact Vikki Almond.