BajaNomad

Gates and private property

ChrisLaPaz - 2-21-2026 at 01:35 PM

I ride around the area outside of La Paz on my motorcycle frequently in rather remote areas. I come across a lot of roads on the map that are signed as private property or have a gate across them, some locked others not.

I’ve read on the forum about going through gates as long as you close them behind you but I’ve only done that once when I came to a gate and fencing 50 meters from the highway where I was headed. Otherwise, I’ve felt like I should respect people’s property and turn back or try to find another route.

So, I was wondering about the etiquette concerning crossing private property. I don’t want to invade people’s privacy or pee someone off at some remote Rancho.

bajatrailrider - 2-21-2026 at 01:49 PM

I have been riding Baja since the 80s if no lock on gate and no sign. I pass gate if up close it same. Once passing by If I see rancho house I stop. Asl if Ok tell them Im local in my case. Baja on east side Highway 1 . Most gates are locked but I have the keys and Ok

geoffff - 2-21-2026 at 01:50 PM

I go through gates (leaving them as I found them) that don't say keep out or private property. There are lots of gates that are just there to keep the cows in/out.

I do this in rural USA as well if I know I am on public land.

David K - 2-21-2026 at 02:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by geoffff  
I go through gates (leaving them as I found them) that don't say keep out or private property. There are lots of gates that are just there to keep the cows in/out.

I do this in rural USA as well if I know I am on public land.


Yes!
Unsigned and unlocked gates are for animal control.
Sometimes gates get locked, but don't remain that way... like this locked gate going to Mission San Fernando (in 2019) which was open in 2025... the whole area was abandoned last trip.
[We had permission and a key, for filming America Unearthed 'Vikings in the Desert' https://vivabaja.com/p219/ ]

bajatrailrider - 2-21-2026 at 03:58 PM

Same here David some gates only locked when cows there.

ChrisLaPaz - 2-23-2026 at 10:20 AM

Thanks all. Thats kinda what I assumed but wanted to confirm.

David K - 2-23-2026 at 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ChrisLaPaz  
Thanks all. Thats kinda what I assumed but wanted to confirm.


You must do what is comfortable for you and each situation can be different from another. Smiles and a good-guest attitude work well, I have experienced.

4x4abc - 2-24-2026 at 08:54 AM

gates are the new Baja
around La Paz and Los Cabos not much is left open to the public
I talked to many ranchers over the years
they did not mind people passing through
has been that way for hundreds of years
they did not mind visitors
they loved visitors
then the fast, disrespectful hobby racers appeared
first the MCs, then the ATVs
the SXSs broke the camel's back
the recent flood of campers is not helping
the ranchers are outright angry when they see Gringos

even popular Playa Puertito at Agua Verde has a gate now.
It is not locked yet - but it is big and strong,
designed to keep people out

I started recording the gates about 10 years ago

gates.jpg - 381kB

Don Jorge - 2-24-2026 at 09:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
gates are the new Baja
around La Paz and Los Cabos not much is left open to the public
I talked to many ranchers over the years
they did not mind people passing through
has been that way for hundreds of years
they did not mind visitors
they loved visitors
then the fast, disrespectful hobby racers appeared
first the MCs, then the ATVs
the SXSs broke the camel's back
the recent flood of campers is not helping
the ranchers are outright angry when they see Gringos

Can relate to these observations. Too many self entitled people with too much money and little to no understanding of what locals, what Baja ranchers live like day to day, year to year, generation to generation.

In Baja there are still places untouched with no gates, no fences. Many are on the Pacific side and most are best or only accessed involving some transit on the Pacific ocean. The great Pacific has a way of separating the men with tools from the boys with toys.

No one we know is sharing these places ever again on social mediocracy. We swap stories using an old fashioned telephone call, person to person or over and around a campfire.

To answer the OP, we dinosaurs were taught to leave gates, and everything else if possible, exactly as we found them.

bajatrailrider - 2-25-2026 at 08:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
gates are the new Baja
around La Paz and Los Cabos not much is left open to the public
I talked to many ranchers over the years
they did not mind people passing through
has been that way for hundreds of years
they did not mind visitors
they loved visitors
then the fast, disrespectful hobby racers appeared
first the MCs, then the ATVs
the SXSs broke the camel's back
the recent flood of campers is not helping
the ranchers are outright angry when they see Gringos

even popular Playa Puertito at Agua Verde has a gate now.
It is not locked yet - but it is big and strong,
designed to keep people out

In Baja on beach side its because baja races .They never repair roads. East side always locked gates I asked ranchos why? Cattel rustlers we ride motos ,sxs,pre runners. We do not tear up the place or drive like the Mexicans do. With me having the keys to so many ranchos one owner told me. A Mexican you now have keys . I dont ever want to see any machine with GPS . Most important dont ever bring Mexicans on your rides :biggrin::biggrin: