Jawbone Canyon, Off-highway vehicle recreational area in Kern County, California, US.

Jawbone Canyon is a canyon in the Mojave Desert of Kern County, California, 20 miles north of Mojave on CA 14. Its eroded slopes of reddish-brown rock are cut by sand washes, and the canyon narrows between jagged formations and banded cliffs. The Bureau of Land Management manages the area, where riders are restricted to established trails.

The canyon was named around 1860 by European settlers who noticed its jaw-like shape and distinctive appearance. It later became an important trading route connecting the Keyesville area to the Piute Mountains.

The name Jawbone comes from the canyon's outline, which settlers around 1860 compared to a mandible. The old trail through the canyon served as a trade route from Keyesville into the Piute Mountains. Blue Point, a hill coated with blue-green rock coloured by oxidized copper, marks the entrance to Alphie Canyon.

Visitors must follow vehicle registration requirements, with state residents needing specific sticker permits and out-of-state users requiring valid documentation from their home states. It's helpful to check requirements before your visit and bring appropriate gear for the terrain.

The Los Angeles Aqueduct runs through the area with its largest sag pipe, called the Jawbone Siphon during its construction phase. This water infrastructure is visible as you explore the canyon.