Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Big Bear Lake, California

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kidd Creek - FS 2N86 is a short, scenic forest route winding through dense pine stands in the Big Bear backcountry just south of Big Bear Lake and near Bluff Lake. The trail offers a relaxed drive overall, with a mix of smooth dirt, light rock, and a few uneven sections that keep it interesting. Alo...
Learn more about Kidd Creek - FS 2N86

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

Santa Ana Divide (FS 2N11) is a scenic forest ridgeline route just outside Big Bear Lake within the San Bernardino National Forest. The trail offers a relaxed dirt drive through tall pines with occasional openings that reveal surrounding mountain views. The route is mostly smooth and easy to follow,...
Learn more about Santa Ana Divide - FS 2N11

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

Freshly reopened after years of closure for restoration, Snow Slide Trail (FS 2N13) is once again welcoming off-road enthusiasts into one of the most scenic corners of the Big Bear area. Tucked away in the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail has quickly reclaimed its reputation as a quiet esc...
Learn more about Snow Slide - FS2N13

Delamar Mountain - 3N12 is a short, beautiful trail that provides access to Holcomb Valley and its extensive network of trails. The trail features tree coverage throughout its length, with opportunities for dispersed camping and yellow post sites along the way. At one point, the trail opens up to re...
Learn more about Delamar Mountain - 3N12

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

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

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

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

Butler Peak is a beautiful trail that can be completed in about 1 hour and is a minimal difficulty trail. The trail itself is a well-traveled dirt trail that winds its way up the mountain to a fire watchtower. The trail can get narrow in spots, but most places along the way will have places to pass ...
Learn more about Butler Peak Fire Lookout - 2N13B

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

Clarks Grade is an off-road trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. Driving this trail is a journey back to the origins of the Big Bear Lake area since this was one of the first roads into Big Bear. It is a narrow shelf road for most of the way, with few spots to pass. The trail starts down at ...
Learn more about Clark's Grade - FS 1N54

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

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

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

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

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

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

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