Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Big Bear City, California

Gate locked Nov 1 - May 1: The typical start of this trail begins just off Highway 38 from the South, transitioning from pavement to dirt shortly after passing through a quiet residential neighborhood. A gated entrance marks the start of the trail, where several informative signs and a stretch of ba...
Learn more about Van Dusen Canyon - 3N09

Sand Canyon (FS 2N27) is primarily a hard-packed sand and rocky gravel road. It is an easy ride in the summer months; however, there is no winter maintenance. During times of rain, snow, and ice, the road can become more rutted and harder to travel on. Sand Canyon is within the San Bernardino Nation...
Learn more about Sand Canyon - FS 2N27

Nestled within the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest, Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10) is one of Big Bear’s classic connector trails — a scenic mountain route that links many of the area’s most popular off-road adventures. Located just south of Big Bear Lake, it’s the road you’ll often end up on ...
Learn more about Mill Creek - FS 2N10

Scenic trail located accessed from Holcomb Valley - 3N16 from the South end or John Bull Flat from the North end. This trail offers a diverse blend of terrain and views. It begins with a smooth, graded surface suitable for most high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. As it progresses, drivers will encounter mi...
Learn more about Hepburn Mine - 3N32

2N93 Wildhorse Meadow is in the San Bernardino National Forest, southeast of Big Bear Lake. This trail has designated camping, with two yellow post sites on 2N93F. It's obvious where Wildhorse Meadow gets its name when you reach the meadow, which is lush green and bordered by pine, oak, cedar, and e...
Learn more about Wildhorse Meadow - 2N93

This road offers a smooth drive beneath a canopy of pines, with pockets of cell service along the way. Occasional road splits provide room for two vehicles. Scenic forest views, quiet campsites, and a tranquil cul-de-sac at the end--framed by boulders, pines, and a wide-open meadow view makes this r...
Learn more about Van Dusen Creek - 3N07

Running through the San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake, Knickerbocker Road (FS 2N08) is a scenic, easy-going forest route that follows Knickerbocker Creek up the slopes toward the high ridges that connect with Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10). At about 3.7 miles in length, this dirt...
Learn more about Knickerbocker - FS 2N08

Smart Spring trail is an alternate access to the Cactus Flat OHV Staging Area. It is a short, little used, and maintained trail that drops down from Hwy 18 that has some short rocky sections that require a high clearance vehicle. This trail connects to access other nearby trails in Cactus Flats clim...
Learn more about Smart Spring - 3N07Y

This 50-inch trail network offers some great, varied terrain in the Cactus Flats area. The trails are well-marked, easy to follow, and are fun on bikes and ATVs of all sizes. This network consists of two main trails running parallel to one another, with 3 cutoffs to get between them. The area closes...
Learn more about Pinyon & Vista Trail Loop - FS 2E20

This scenic loop winds through Holcomb Valley, offering a glimpse into the area's Gold Rush past with marked stops from the Gold Fever Trail. Expect mild terrain with occasional puddles, picnic spots, scenic pullouts, meadow, and forest views. The route begins and ends at distinctive white gates, ma...
Learn more about Gold Fever - 3N05

This Trail is a wide, pine-forested route with mild elevation changes and scenic views throughout. The dirt surface stays relatively smooth with occasional deep mud puddles on one side of trail after weather. Open to the public, it crosses private land in Holcomb Valley Ranch. Suitable for most high...
Learn more about Polique Canyon - 2N09

During dry seasons, Blue Quartz 2N71 is a beautiful dirt road with ample tree coverage and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the scenery. Sections of the trail allow for dispersed camping with views of Big Bear Lake along its length. The trail is ideal for those seeking a peaceful and scenic drive.
Learn more about Blue Quartz 2N71

This is a less often traveled trail close to Burns Canyon and 18. Although there are not any vistas, there are a few points to stop and enjoy the solitude. The section closest to Burns Canyon contains some jagged rocky sections on a grade that might intimidate a novice driver, but a little confidenc...
Learn more about Smarts Ranch 3N03

Coxey Road (3N14) is a long Forest Service connector route running from the north side of Big Bear Lake near Fawnskin all the way northwest to Lucerne Valley, where it terminates at Bowen Ranch Road. Starting near the lakeside forest communities, the road climbs through dense pine stands, passing ac...
Learn more about Coxey Road - FS 3N14

Running along the southern ridgeline above Big Bear Lake, Camp Osito Road (FS 2N17) is part of the broader Skyline Drive trail system, offering some of the most panoramic views in the San Bernardino National Forest. It connects directly with Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10) to the west and Knickerbocker Ro...
Learn more about Camp Osito - FS 2N17

Closed until 12/31/24 per Forest Closure Order 05-12-52-24-02, Radford Fire Closure Area. FS 2N06 - Radford Truck Trail is a winding fire road in the San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake. Radford Truck Trail runs from the current Converse Station north up the Converse Creek dr...
Learn more about Radford Truck Trail - FS 2N06

Upper Holcomb - 3N83 is a quick and mildly challenging off-road run through the forest of the Upper Holcomb Valley, north of Big Bear Lake in California's San Bernardino National Forest. 3N38 - Upper Holcomb is a lesser-known and less traveled trail than others in the area and makes a great add-on t...
Learn more about Upper Holcomb - 3N83

Monarch Flat (3N36) delivers a scenic desert forest road experience just off Highway 18, directly across from the Mitsubishi Cement Plant. The route begins with a gradual climb before transitioning into steeper, looser terrain as it gains elevation toward Silver Peak. This trail winds through a high...
Learn more about Monarch Flat - FS 3N36

This is a great upper-level trail located in the Holcomb Canyon area, serving as a perfect hub for exploring the surrounding network. It sits in close proximity to several other trails and the Pacific Crest Trail, making it an ideal jumping-off point for both bikes and 4x4s. The elevation provides a...
Learn more about Upper Holcomb PCT

Front Line Road is in the San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake. It provides a casual meandering trail run alongside a shallow canyon formed by the 8,000-foot San Bernardino Mountain Range to the north and the 10,000-foot San Gorgonio Wilderness mountains to the south. There are...
Learn more about Radford Frontline Road - FS 104

Gate locked Nov 1 - May 1: The typical start of this trail begins just off Highway 38 from the South, transitioning from pavement to dirt shortly after passing through a quiet residential neighborhood. A gated entrance marks the start of the trail, where several informative signs and a stretch of ba...
Learn more about Van Dusen Canyon - 3N09

Nestled within the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest, Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10) is one of Big Bear’s classic connector trails — a scenic mountain route that links many of the area’s most popular off-road adventures. Located just south of Big Bear Lake, it’s the road you’ll often end up on ...
Learn more about Mill Creek - FS 2N10

Running through the San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake, Knickerbocker Road (FS 2N08) is a scenic, easy-going forest route that follows Knickerbocker Creek up the slopes toward the high ridges that connect with Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10). At about 3.7 miles in length, this dirt...
Learn more about Knickerbocker - FS 2N08

Smart Spring trail is an alternate access to the Cactus Flat OHV Staging Area. It is a short, little used, and maintained trail that drops down from Hwy 18 that has some short rocky sections that require a high clearance vehicle. This trail connects to access other nearby trails in Cactus Flats clim...
Learn more about Smart Spring - 3N07Y

Gate locked Nov 1 - May 1: The typical start of this trail begins just off Highway 38 from the South, transitioning from pavement to dirt shortly after passing through a quiet residential neighborhood. A gated entrance marks the start of the trail, where several informative signs and a stretch of ba...
Learn more about Van Dusen Canyon - 3N09

Sand Canyon (FS 2N27) is primarily a hard-packed sand and rocky gravel road. It is an easy ride in the summer months; however, there is no winter maintenance. During times of rain, snow, and ice, the road can become more rutted and harder to travel on. Sand Canyon is within the San Bernardino Nation...
Learn more about Sand Canyon - FS 2N27

Nestled within the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest, Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10) is one of Big Bear’s classic connector trails — a scenic mountain route that links many of the area’s most popular off-road adventures. Located just south of Big Bear Lake, it’s the road you’ll often end up on ...
Learn more about Mill Creek - FS 2N10

Scenic trail located accessed from Holcomb Valley - 3N16 from the South end or John Bull Flat from the North end. This trail offers a diverse blend of terrain and views. It begins with a smooth, graded surface suitable for most high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. As it progresses, drivers will encounter mi...
Learn more about Hepburn Mine - 3N32