Carmel Valley Road

We don't rate roads as safe or unsafe: crash counts can't say how risky a road is, and popular riding roads have more crashes partly because more people ride them. What the records show: 12 motorcycle crashes were reported along its 37.3 mapped miles from 2021–2025, 1 of them serious or fatal. 83% involved no other vehicle. What to watch for: Narrow and bumpy on the eastern end, with gravel patches and wildlife.

12 motorcycle crashes were reported within 60 m of the road from 2021–2025: 1 killed or seriously injured someone, and 0 were fatal. 83% involved no other vehicle. Busier roads have more crashes partly because more people ride them, so these counts don't say how risky the road is.

Campgrounds and RV parks within about 5 miles of the road (straight line), nearest first. Seasons, fire restrictions and closures change, so check with whoever runs it before you go.

• Piney Creek1,194 ft · on the roadOn the map
• Lower Piney Camp1,143 ft · 0.5 mi from the roadOn the map
• Upper Piney Camp1,234 ft · 0.7 mi from the roadOn the map
• Cahoon Spring Camp3,581 ft · 1.4 mi from the roadOn the map
• Jerky Camp2,171 ft · 1.7 mi from the roadOn the map
• Millers Lodge677 ft · 2.1 mi from the roadOn the map

Campgrounds from Recreation.gov (federal campgrounds, 2026-10-18) and OpenStreetMap (2026-09-28); water, toilets and showers only where they're listed. Elevation from USGS.

What is Carmel Valley Road like to ride?

Quiet inland road from Carmel through oak valleys.

How long is Carmel Valley Road?

About 37.3 miles as mapped in OpenStreetMap, for the stretch we cover.

Is Carmel Valley Road open today?

Check Caltrans QuickMap (quickmap.dot.ca.gov) for closures, chain controls and roadwork before you go. Mountain roads close for snow, rockslides and fire, and some sections close every winter.