The Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area has been spared from government acquisition thanks to an initiative spearheaded by Congressman Paul Cook.

It had been proposed that neighboring the U.S. Marine Corps base near Twentynine Palms would take over the park from the Bureau of Land Management, effectively closing it to the public.

But before such a mandate could be executed, was written into the "National Defense Authorization Act of 2013" that would keep Johnson Valley completely open to off-road enthusiasts 305 days a year. The Marines will utilize a little over half of it for the other 60 days, and most importantly the "famous" trails loved by local enthusiasts will be preserved as will the racing events that take place there.

The park is enormous, consuming over 100,000 acres of San Bernardino County in California, and is home to the "King of the Hammers" buggy race among other events.

The next motor sport series at Johnson Valley kicks off January 31, 2014.

Image: Bureau of Land Management