Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Camp Nelson, California

This is a half paved, half gravel pass that cuts a shorter route through from Johnsondale towards Nobe Young Falls. This relaxed path passes by a smaller waterfall and is accessible by nearly all vehicles. It also ends close to the Trail of 100 Giants on the west side, which is a great stop to see.
Learn more about Last Chance to Lloyd Meadow

Mule Peak South FS 22S03 begins off Highway M90, where the first 1.25 miles have been graded and covered with gravel by the Forest Service to improve drainage and traction. Beyond that, the surface transitions to hard-packed dirt with muddy spots in sections. The trail winds through tall pine trees ...
Learn more about Mule Peak South - FS 22S03

Forks FS 23S62 branches off Parker Forks and climbs aggressively through Sequoia National Forest pine trees before transitioning onto a shelf road with a deep embankment dropping hundreds of feet to the valley floor below. Evidence of the 2021 Windy Fire is visible throughout. Note that the final th...
Learn more about Forks - FS 23S62

Parker Forks FS 22S18 departs from the Great Western Divide Highway and follows Parker Meadow Creek through Sequoia National Forest to a nice meadow at the trail's end. The mixed surface of sand, dirt, and ash is a direct reflection of the heavy impact of the 2021 Windy Fire, evidence of which is vi...
Learn more about Parker Forks - FS 22S18

Horse Meadow Creek FS 22S04 departs from Highway M504 and cuts through a large pine forest within Sequoia National Forest, reaching Horse Meadow a couple of miles in. The meadow provides a natural destination and a pleasant open contrast to the dense pine forest along the approach. Dispersed camping...
Learn more about Horse Meadow Creek - FS 22S04

Rincon FS 22S51 runs parallel to Sherman Pass Road, rolling up and down dirt hills with dramatic views of the canyon below and surrounding mountains, including Brush Creek and Brush Creek Falls. The trail eventually drops into the valley, where additional trails branch off for further exploration, a...
Learn more about Rincon - FS 22S51

Starvation Creek FS 23S65 winds through rolling hills within Sequoia National Forest through what was once a mature forest, now heavily impacted by the 2021 Windy Fire. Most of the trees along the route are burned, giving the landscape an open and stark character. Overgrown grass has taken over much...
Learn more about Starvation Creek - FS 23S65

Cherry Hill Road North FS 22S12 is the primary artery into this district of Sequoia National Forest, departing from Sherman Pass Road and serving as the only route in and out of the Horse Meadow Campground and Big Meadow area. The trail begins paved and transitions to hard-packed dirt beyond Poison ...
Learn more about Cherry Hill Road North - FS 22S12

Chute Springs FS 23S68 departs from Highway M504 and runs along a shelf road high above the valley and canyon below through Sequoia National Forest. The trail is lined with oak and pine trees, green grass, and other bushes, with overgrown grass encroaching on the trail in sections. Evidence of the 2...
Learn more about Chute Springs - FS 23S68

Cherry Hill FS 22S12B runs along a steep shelf road through manzanita and pine trees, overlooking the valley below with great views of the mountains in the distance. The single vehicle width and encroaching brush means contact with the sides of the vehicle is likely in sections. A couple spur secti...
Learn more about Cherry Hill - FS 22S12B

Deer Creek FS 23S04 departs from Pine Flat Road through grassy meadows and rolling hills lined with oak trees. Power lines run parallel to the trail and serve as a useful navigation reference along the route. The trail is currently closed approximately 1 mile in with a posted closure sign. Do not pr...
Learn more about Deer Creek Mill - FS 23S04

Packsaddle FS 23S26 follows a shelf road the entire length of its 3-mile out-and-back, gradually climbing with great views of the surrounding valleys and mountains along the way. The reward at the top is a beautiful westward panorama, making this one of the better sunset viewing spots in the network...
Learn more about Packsaddle - FS 23S26

This is another fun scenic single track that comes equipped with a couple of rock sections and some sand. There are a couple of creek crossings, one of which could get a little spicy with the runoff from the snowmelt. Overall, it's a great trail to hit from the nearby campground.
Learn more about Beach Ridge Trail

Pine Flat FS23S05 departs from Pine Flat and climbs its way toward the White River, gaining over 700 feet and dropping over 300 feet across 3 miles along a shelf road above Capinero Creek. The trail is lined with oak trees and some pine trees throughout, giving it a warmer and more open character th...
Learn more about Pine Flat - FS 23S05

Jack Ranch FS24S05 departs from Capinero and climbs 366 feet in just over 3 miles along a shelf road tracing the White River through Dark Canyon. The route is enclosed by very thick pine trees within Sequoia National Forest throughout. Small waterfalls appear along the trail, and the White River Cam...
Learn more about Jack Ranch - FS 24S05

Despite the significant elevation loss of 1,100 feet, the hard-packed dirt and gravel surface is well managed and the switchbacks are gradual enough to keep this accessible to street legal vehicles. The single vehicle width and shelf road character require steady attention, particularly through the ...
Learn more about Capinero - FS 23S05

Horse Meadows FS 23S10A drops over 400 feet in just over 1.6 miles through a corridor of Manzanita and pine trees within Sequoia National Forest. Horse Meadows Campground sits along the trail. The trail continues just past the campground before ending at a private property fence. Do not proceed past...
Learn more about Horse Meadow FS23S10

Forest Service Road 20S22 is an easy-to-moderate backcountry route on the Kern Plateau that serves as the gateway to some of the Southern Sierra's most scenic and remote destinations and the connector trail to get to Monache Meadows. The road winds through pine forest and open mountain terrain befor...
Learn more about FS 20S22

FS 20S39 is a scenic mountain route that winds through the southern Sierra Nevada, offering expansive views, granite outcrops, and forests of pinyon pine and Jeffrey pine. The road is generally easy to follow but features several rutted sections and scattered larger rocks that make a high-clearance ...
Learn more about FS 20S39

Horse Meadow Spur winds up and down through thick manzanita and tall pine trees within Sequoia National Forest, delivering a fun and engaging ride with interesting rock formations adding character along the way. Fair warning to those protective of their paint job: pinstriping from the dense manzanit...
Learn more about Horse Meadow Spur - FS 23S10A

Mule Peak South FS 22S03 begins off Highway M90, where the first 1.25 miles have been graded and covered with gravel by the Forest Service to improve drainage and traction. Beyond that, the surface transitions to hard-packed dirt with muddy spots in sections. The trail winds through tall pine trees ...
Learn more about Mule Peak South - FS 22S03

Forks FS 23S62 branches off Parker Forks and climbs aggressively through Sequoia National Forest pine trees before transitioning onto a shelf road with a deep embankment dropping hundreds of feet to the valley floor below. Evidence of the 2021 Windy Fire is visible throughout. Note that the final th...
Learn more about Forks - FS 23S62

Parker Forks FS 22S18 departs from the Great Western Divide Highway and follows Parker Meadow Creek through Sequoia National Forest to a nice meadow at the trail's end. The mixed surface of sand, dirt, and ash is a direct reflection of the heavy impact of the 2021 Windy Fire, evidence of which is vi...
Learn more about Parker Forks - FS 22S18

Horse Meadow Creek FS 22S04 departs from Highway M504 and cuts through a large pine forest within Sequoia National Forest, reaching Horse Meadow a couple of miles in. The meadow provides a natural destination and a pleasant open contrast to the dense pine forest along the approach. Dispersed camping...
Learn more about Horse Meadow Creek - FS 22S04

Mule Peak South FS 22S03 begins off Highway M90, where the first 1.25 miles have been graded and covered with gravel by the Forest Service to improve drainage and traction. Beyond that, the surface transitions to hard-packed dirt with muddy spots in sections. The trail winds through tall pine trees ...
Learn more about Mule Peak South - FS 22S03

Forks FS 23S62 branches off Parker Forks and climbs aggressively through Sequoia National Forest pine trees before transitioning onto a shelf road with a deep embankment dropping hundreds of feet to the valley floor below. Evidence of the 2021 Windy Fire is visible throughout. Note that the final th...
Learn more about Forks - FS 23S62

Parker Forks FS 22S18 departs from the Great Western Divide Highway and follows Parker Meadow Creek through Sequoia National Forest to a nice meadow at the trail's end. The mixed surface of sand, dirt, and ash is a direct reflection of the heavy impact of the 2021 Windy Fire, evidence of which is vi...
Learn more about Parker Forks - FS 22S18

Horse Meadow Creek FS 22S04 departs from Highway M504 and cuts through a large pine forest within Sequoia National Forest, reaching Horse Meadow a couple of miles in. The meadow provides a natural destination and a pleasant open contrast to the dense pine forest along the approach. Dispersed camping...
Learn more about Horse Meadow Creek - FS 22S04