From its creation in 1968 to its end in 1984, Saddleback Park, with its seemingly endless system of tracks and trails, wasthe epicenter of American motocross.

WORDS: DAVEY COOMBS
PHOTOS: DICK MILLER ARCHIVES

Few names in the lexicon of American motocross strike as many emotions as Saddleback Park. It was a Southern California “theme park” for off-road motorcycles, mini-bikes, ATVs, go-karts and more. Founded in 1968 by magazine publisher Joe Parkhurst and his partner Vic Wilson, Saddleback Park was the mecca of motocross, a 700-acre home to countless events, product shoots, TV shows, movie sets, and more. But then on September 7, 1984, the landlord, a real estate conglomerate known as the Irvine Company, shut the gates for good on dirt bikes. This is the story of America’s first off-road motorsports park. Hard to believe Saddleback Park is now 40 years gone—and still undeveloped.