Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Aguanga, California

8S05 is a well-maintained service road, but you can expect large rocks, ruts, and very steep drop-offs throughout. The weather could have a significant impact on the road. Muddy conditions are likely; one should ensure their vehicle is properly equipped and use caution. This drive is great for a loc...
Learn more about 8S05 - North Palomar Mountain Road

The Palomar Divide is an easy drive with beautiful views. It is a single lane with pull-offs throughout. The majority of the trail is dirt, however, it has some old paved sections in the lower elevation portion. During the rain or snow seasons, one can expect slick conditions and should proceed with...
Learn more about Palomar Divide (9S07)

Nate Harrison Grade is a dirt backroad into Palomar Mountain State Park. This trail leads from typical Southern California scrubland scenery up to lush forests and mountain views. You'll encounter loose rocky areas and several deep ruts throughout the route. The trail is primarily non-technical, wit...
Learn more about Nate Harrison Grade

Beautiful views of the valley below and mountains above. There are lots of switchbacks and about 600 feet of elevation gain in just a few miles of driving. The second half of the trail was closed after Hurricane Hillary, but it does connect to Juan Diego Flats to get you back out to civilization. Th...
Learn more about Red Mountain OHV Trail

Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood is a trail that scales Rouse Ridge/Thomas Mountain using Cottonwood (6S18) and Thomas Mountain Rd (6S13). This trail offers stunning views in all directions as you ascend and descend the mountain. While it is possible to complete this trail in either direction, the souther...
Learn more about Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood

This trail connects the Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood trail to the Thomas Mountain Campground via the western end of Thomas Mountain Road. During dry months, the trail is an easily passable dirt road, requiring only moderate clearance to pass over occasional ruts and drainage control berms running acro...
Learn more about Thomas Mountain West Approach

Rouse Hill is a ridgeline trail with tremendous west and east views. This trail is predominately hard-packed dirt with a loose top layer. It can be a bit sandy in some sections but that will typically only be an issue for 2-wheel vehicles. The trail is only single vehicle wide in some places and som...
Learn more about Rouse Hill

Uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks and sand. Muddy conditions should be expected during the rainy season. The trail is primarily one vehicle wide with some portions wide enough for passing oncoming traffic. Steep cliffs and drop-offs are common throughout the trail, as well as sharp winding ...
Learn more about 6S13 - Thomas Mountain Road

5S06 Idyllwild Control is a 6-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 located within the San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto Ranger District. 5S06 climbs from Highway 74 nearly 3,000 feet, ending at the intersection with Apple Drive in Idyllwild. The road is open to highway-legal vehicles on...
Learn more about 5S06 Idyllwild Control

11S03 Lusardi Truck Trail is an 11.6-mile out-and-back trail rated 3 of 10 located within the Cleveland National Forest, Trabuco Ranger District. Lusardi Truck Trail ascends the Carney Canyon between the Black Butte (west) and Black Mountain (east) to the National Forest boundary at 5.8 miles. The t...
Learn more about 11S03 Lusardi Truck Trail

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon

Rouse Hill Road is for street-legal vehicles only; no green stickers or OHV vehicles. Full-size vehicles are at home here, as the trail is a single track with plenty of room. The beginning of this end of the trail winds through the eastern side of Washburn Ranch which is a large grapefruit grower. T...
Learn more about Rouse Hill Road

Santa Ysabel Truck Trail is a narrow, shelf-road trail running through a section of the Cleveland National Forest in Ramona. The trail follows along Santa Ysabel Creek and offers beautiful views over the mountains, and leads to several hiking and recreation areas. The terrain along the route is rutt...
Learn more about Santa Ysabel Truck Trail

11S04 Black Mountain is a 10.8-mile out-and-back located in the Cleveland National Forest, Palomar Ranger District. This is a limited-use trail restricted to street-legal vehicles. The trail is rated 3 of 10 but has the potential to be worse during and right after seasonal weather and is subject to ...
Learn more about 11S04 Black Mountain

Santa Rosa Truck Trail is an out-and-back well-maintained fire road that climbs to over 8000ft. The lower parts are smooth and wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other. As it rises in elevation the road gets a bit narrower in spots and there are a few sections with small embedded rocks. The s...
Learn more about Santa Rosa Truck Trail 7S02

This is a level 2-rated full-width road back to Highway 243. This is the fastest and safest way back up to Highway 243. The route through Bee Canyon is currently closed. 2 areas had a boulder roll off the hill into the road. Even an H1 Hummer can make it around both of them, so they won't stop you s...
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10

San Jacinto Ridge is a two-way trail running East to West between the Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Highway (SR 243) and Bee Canyon Road (FS 5S07) in the San Bernardino National Forest. Comprised of mostly hard-pack dirt, the trail weaves through chaparral and pine trees and crosses over the North for...
Learn more about San Jacinto Ridge Trail (FS 5S09)

This trail winds its way through the Cleveland Forest from Pamo Road to the Guejito Truck Trail. The trail is not very well maintained. It is very rutted. The trail takes you up and over some good hills in Pamo Valley. Parts of the trail are very scenic and beautiful.
Learn more about Orosco Ridge Truck Trail 12S02

Angelus Hill is an alternative route branching off 4S06 Indian Canyon, featuring mellow terrain and scenic ridgeline riding. The trail follows a hardpack dirt road with light rutting that is shallow and unlikely to trap a tire. Riders can expect gradual hill climbs and sweeping views stretching acro...
Learn more about 4S19 Angelus Hill

This is an easy trail that most stock vehicles could tackle. There are some really beautiful views, and the high point is the lookout, which gives a breathtaking view of the sunset. There are 5 or 6 yellow post camping sites on the way up.
Learn more about Black Mountain Road

Beautiful views of the valley below and mountains above. There are lots of switchbacks and about 600 feet of elevation gain in just a few miles of driving. The second half of the trail was closed after Hurricane Hillary, but it does connect to Juan Diego Flats to get you back out to civilization. Th...
Learn more about Red Mountain OHV Trail

Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood is a trail that scales Rouse Ridge/Thomas Mountain using Cottonwood (6S18) and Thomas Mountain Rd (6S13). This trail offers stunning views in all directions as you ascend and descend the mountain. While it is possible to complete this trail in either direction, the souther...
Learn more about Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood

This trail connects the Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood trail to the Thomas Mountain Campground via the western end of Thomas Mountain Road. During dry months, the trail is an easily passable dirt road, requiring only moderate clearance to pass over occasional ruts and drainage control berms running acro...
Learn more about Thomas Mountain West Approach

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon

Beautiful views of the valley below and mountains above. There are lots of switchbacks and about 600 feet of elevation gain in just a few miles of driving. The second half of the trail was closed after Hurricane Hillary, but it does connect to Juan Diego Flats to get you back out to civilization. Th...
Learn more about Red Mountain OHV Trail

Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood is a trail that scales Rouse Ridge/Thomas Mountain using Cottonwood (6S18) and Thomas Mountain Rd (6S13). This trail offers stunning views in all directions as you ascend and descend the mountain. While it is possible to complete this trail in either direction, the souther...
Learn more about Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood

This trail connects the Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood trail to the Thomas Mountain Campground via the western end of Thomas Mountain Road. During dry months, the trail is an easily passable dirt road, requiring only moderate clearance to pass over occasional ruts and drainage control berms running acro...
Learn more about Thomas Mountain West Approach

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon