Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Calpine, California

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This spur accesses the communications tower equipment on private property at the summit of Beckwourth Peak. There is…
Learn more about Sugarpine Spur A - NF22N55A

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This is one of the primary routes into this section of the forest from town. These roads are…
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Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This looks to be the primary route accessing the summit from town. The road is wider and looks…
Learn more about Sugarpine - NF22N55

Dirt Forest Service Road accesses a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start at…
Learn more about Beckwourth Tie - NF23N03Y

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start…
Learn more about Beckwourth Tie Spur - NF23N03YB

Meadow Lake Road makes a loop from Webber Lake to Jackson Meadows, with Meadow Lake situated in the middle. The section that begins just past Webber Lake is a fairly well-maintained, graded road used by…
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Graded Forest Service road above the CA-70 highway in Graeagle, California that accesses Bonta Ridge, Penman Saddle, and other points to the North in the Plumas National Forest. There is a great brewery - the…
Learn more about Bonta Creek - NF23N33

Meadow Lake Road is the continuation of the Bowman Lake Road trail. The scenery is breathtaking and the camping and recreational opportunities are plentiful. This area of the Sierra Nevada usually is snow-free sometime in…
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This trail is perfect for beginners and is relatively smooth, with shady roads and a small water crossing. It's pretty scenic and relaxing. Camping is available, but there was a fire restriction when I was…
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As you begin from Verdi, the paved road is great, then you begin the uphill, which is a very hard-packed 1.5 1.5-wide road with some small, sharp, pointed rocks. As you get closer to the…
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Trail begins with an easy climb to a high scenic ridge above beautiful Deer Lake. The route then descends into rugged Gold Valley and heads north past mines and lakes. To modify the trip, you…
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Bear Valley Loop Trail is a beginner trail located off Hwy 89 starting right at "Little Truckee Summit". The loop takes off and ends at the Bear Valley Campground. Head in on Cottonwood Road off…
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This trail starts across from Packer Lake. There is a staging area at the bottom if you need to trailer your rig. The trail heads up to Tamarack Lakes. The two lakes are almost the…
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Bonta Ridge is an occasionally maintained gravel Forest Service road that climbs from Bonta Creek Road above the CA-70 highway up to Penman Saddle and points beyond in this section of the Plumas National Forest.…
Learn more about Bonta Ridge - NF23N05Y

This trail begins just east of Bowman Lake at the Jackson Creek Campground. The trail is marked with a few signs and features a large pullout at the starting point. It offers a bumpy, rocky…
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The first part of the trail is paved. About 2/3rds of the way in, it becomes rocky and dirty. High clearance is recommended. There is one tricky hairpin about 1 mile from camp. Other than…
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Sawmill Lake Trail begins with a gentle climb from the Faucherie Lake Trail. As you crest the first hill, you'll catch your first glimpse of Sawmill Lake. There are campsites on the lakeside of the…
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Mix of fire roads and old logging roads. The area has been scorched by fire recently. There are a lot of downed trees that cross the trail, be prepared with a chain saw or chain/rope.…
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The trail begins just beyond the charming town of Washington, nestled among towering, lush green pine trees. Shortly after the town, the well-maintained gravel road winds through dense forests of pine and spruce trees, traversing…
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This short 1.8-mile point-to-point trail connects Rattlesnake Road and Signal Hill Trail. Service vehicles typically use this trail to access the Signal towers on top of Signal Hill. It is also the back way out…
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From Highway 89 near the Sagehen Creek Trailhead, this easy route leads to Stampede Reservoir, with options to continue to Dog Valley, Boca Reservoir, or down to Crystal Peak Mine. The trail starts wide enough…
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Summit Lake Trail is a 2.6-mile out-and-back trail located near Truckee, California. The start of the trail is relatively smooth as it winds through Johnson Canyon, with a great view of Donner Lake when you…
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Begin either from Boca Campground or off Highway 89 / 886--either way, this flat route is just the start of what's out there to explore. Following well-maintained Forest Service roads, it's a quick, easy side…
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Old Reno Road offers a scenic and easy off-road experience, particularly during the summer months. Starting from Road 886 near Highway 89, this trail transitions into Boca Springs Road, connecting to an extensive network of…
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This loop trail offers wide panoramas of endless mountain forests and picturesque views of multiple reservoirs all along an easily traversed dirt road. An exciting surprise awaits at the midway point of the trail--the Crystal…
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This 14.9 mile point-to-point trail takes you pass Lake Valley Reservoir up Monumental Ridge and towards Texas Hill. This trail has great views of the Big Valley Canyon. The trail is mostly single vehicle width…
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The route starts at the end of Virginia Street, crossing some railroad tracks and turning into a graded dirt road. There are some washboard sections, and during early spring, it is quite muddy. Of course,…
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Looking to explore the stunning landscapes of Dog Valley while taking a more adventurous and less-traveled route? This scenic drive is perfect for those who enjoy a bit more challenge and want to avoid the…
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Boca Hill Trail is a 2.5 mile trail. The trail passes the peak of Boca Hill, a great place to stop and get some pictures from above I-80 with many peaks in the background. The…
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This is a single-track dirt trail with consistent switchbacks, shelf sections, and a constant climb up from the valley below. Easily accessible from CA 395, high clearance vehicles with 4x4 are recommended on this route.…
Learn more about Crofts Follie Trail