Glen Helen Regional Park was developed on land purchased by San Bernardino County in July 1948, formerly used as Glen Helen Farm and Ranch for agricultural purposes supporting county institutions. After the agricultural program ended in the early 1960s, the county converted the property into a regional park, with the completed facility opening on August 4, 1968. The park grounds span a rugged landscape near the Cajon Pass, providing natural terrain well suited to off-road motorsport.
The motorsport venue within the park is distinguished by its challenging motocross circuit, which is known for its steep hills, dramatic jumps, and banked corners. The natural topography creates a physically demanding track that has tested riders at the highest levels of international competition.
Motorsport activity at Glen Helen began in 1985 with off-road racing events. The facility gained national prominence when it hosted a round of the AMA Motocross Championship for the first time in 1993. After an initial appearance, the AMA returned to Glen Helen for a sustained run from 1996 to 2009, and again from 2014 to 2018. The AMA event was traditionally held in May, initially on Mother's Day weekend, later shifting to Memorial Day weekend. An exception occurred between 2004 and 2007, when the round was moved to mid-September to serve as the final round of the championship season.
On the international stage, Glen Helen hosted rounds of the FIM Motocross World Championship from 1990 to 1992, bringing top global riders to California. The venue returned to the world championship schedule from 2010 to 2011 and again from 2015 to 2016, cementing its status as a venue capable of hosting the sport's premier international series.
The facility extended its off-road portfolio with the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series, hosting rounds from 2010 to 2020. The venue also welcomed new racing formats in their inaugural seasons in 2021, including Nitro Rallycross and the Great American Shortcourse series.
In November and December 2018, Glen Helen hosted the Robby Gordon Off-Road World Championships, a multi-day event held from November 30 to December 2. The event was overseen by Gordon's Stadium Super Trucks series and drew a variety of vehicle classes including motocross bikes and other off-road competitors alongside the SST machinery.
The facility's size and terrain have allowed it to accommodate large spectator events alongside its regular racing calendar, contributing to the estimated half-million visitors the broader regional park receives annually.
Glen Helen Raceway represents one of the longest-serving dedicated off-road motorsport venues in the western United States. Its combination of AMA national-level and FIM world-level events across more than three decades reflects the venue's standing in the global motocross community. The circuit's demanding terrain has remained a consistent feature of the AMA Motocross Championship calendar with recurring appearances spanning from the 1990s through the late 2010s, ensuring Glen Helen's role in the competitive landscape of North American off-road racing.