Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Cartago, California

Monache Meadows is a beautiful scenic valley surrounded by wilderness areas. The road follows and crosses the South fork of Kern River. There are great camp spots along the route and at the end. Explore,…
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This 2-mile "loop" starts at 5,285 feet of elevation and rises to 5,865 feet. The trail is sandy with a few rocky sections. There are also a few sections with ruts due to snowmelt and…
Learn more about South Fork Lubken Creek Canyon Loop

This is another great trail here--a nice wide single track winding through the forest. It passes through a couple of nice meadows and there are quite a few creek crossings to look out for. The…
Learn more about Albinita

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…
Learn more about Beach Ridge Trail

A nice, easy, and wide single track that has a really nice flow to it, this trail connects Troy Meadow Campground with Fish Creek Campground, another super fun single track in the area. There will…
Learn more about Campground Connector

This is an easy wide-open access road across from Troy Meadow Campground that leads to some great single track trails in the area. It's a smooth, well-maintained road. It does have some sandy areas to…
Learn more about Sam Lewis

This trail is a technical out-and-back side route off Moffat Ranch Road near the main attraction, Movie Road Drive in North Alabama Hills. The trail starts with an immediate climb up the side of several…
Learn more about North Alabama Hills Vista Trail

Death Valley is famous for its barren valleys and soaring vistas, but few people wander into its more remote regions like Saline Valley. The road into this area is dirt and often heavily corrugated and…
Learn more about Saline Valley Road

This trail is easy to complete in almost any vehicle. Along the way you'll encounter the Darwin Falls trailhead, various side trails, and some interesting abandoned structures. There are some spots with loose sand and…
Learn more about Darwin Canyon

This rocky trail starts in the north at the Ubehebe Crater. It travels through a long canyon in the Panamint Range between Tin Mountain (8,927 feet), Dry Mountain (8,678 feet), and White Top Mountain (7,493…
Learn more about Racetrack Valley Road North

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.…
Learn more about Last Chance to Lloyd Meadow

This is a fun route in Indian Wells Canyon. This route includes the Nadeau Magnolia Mine and an amazing rocky peak overlooking the canyon below. This is the northern route that takes you through several…
Learn more about Buena Vista Canyon

This is a fun ride up the canyon from Indian Wells Brewery that takes you to the Nadeau-Magnolia Mine. This is one of the few abandoned mine sites that still maintains its historical charm. The…
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Uneven and rutted dirt trail with loose rocks and sandy washes. Use caution, some washes are narrow. Potential for mud holes and water crossings less than a foot deep. There are trail obstacles of up…
Learn more about Iron Canyon EP21

This is a fun loop that starts off with SC39 and SC47. It begins with long downhill sections of s-turns and the trail is several feet below the main desert floor with Yuccas on both…
Learn more about Hanging Rock Loop

A mostly easy trail that cuts across the BLM land from Trona Road over to Highway. This easy trail, with mostly sand and washouts, leads to lots of dispersed camping and connects Trona Road to…
Learn more about Milford Road Cutover

This is a 17-mile loop outside Big Pine. You can access the trail from Glacier Lodge Road or South School Street. From Glacier Lodge Road, access the trail on McMurry Meadows Road. The first 5…
Learn more about Crater Mountain Loop

This route consists of two main trails, SC47 and SC328. The trail can be accessed on the West from Kelso Valley Road and from the East at the actual Dove Springs. My route includes the…
Learn more about Dove Springs Access Trail

This is the Western section of the Murano trail as it enters the Spangler Hills OHV area and leads in from BLM land that borders the town of Ridgecrest. It continues past this part 1…
Learn more about Murano Trail Part 1

This trail begins or ends outside the town of Ridgecrest at a large, seemingly out-of-place rock formation painted in roses. Use caution when approaching as there are many nails in the dirt and broken glass…
Learn more about Rosebud Rocks to Wagon Wheel OHV

A fun run one to the boundary of the OHV area. The trail has lots of bermed corners and many sandy sections. There is a great camping area with a nice view and a high…
Learn more about Fun Boundary Rip

To get to this trail, you will first need to come down Black Gulch Jeep Trail heading West from Hwy 155. You will continue driving until the pavement turns to dirt at the last public…
Learn more about Kern River Getaway - 27S30

This is a fun winding trail that starts right off of SC173 and quickly drops down into a soft wide sand wash. The trail narrows with a tight s-turn between large boulders then opens up…
Learn more about Alphie Springs Wash

This route takes you from the main Dove Springs staging area to the Actual Dove Springs. It follows SC103 all the way and changes between a dirt road and a double-wide trail. It has sections…
Learn more about Dove Springs Canyon Road

This trail is a fun blast through the hills with bermed corners, some washes, and occasional deep whoops. This trail just kisses the boundary between the Spangler OHV Area and BLM land. The trail is…
Learn more about Kiss The Boundary

This trail starts out easy for larger rigs to access dispersed camping areas. It should be very doable for trailers and Motorhomes. Be sure to stop at the last large open space on the NE…
Learn more about Easy Way to Camp From Trona Road

One of the more established boundary trails in the area. A generally easy connector trail to attach with other trails in the area. The trail has some whoops and bermed corners and crosses some sandy…
Learn more about Boundary Circle 1

It's a generally sandy two-track trail with plenty of bermed corners and some deeper washouts. The trail progresses and crosses through some impressive large rocks. Watch for desert tortoises and military planes buzzing the deck…
Learn more about Lower Murano Road

The Dutch Cleanser Mine in Red Rock Canyon State Park is the perfect place to end your adventure or have lunch when exploring the area. The Mine is massive as you can walk in and…
Learn more about Abandoned Old Dutch Cleanser Mine Trail

The Fish Head Rocks were originally painted in the late 1930s or early 1940s, a beloved and unexpected desert sight. The route to Trona Pinnacles passes through "Poison Canyon" because the small stream at its…
Learn more about Fish Head Rocks to Trona Pinnacles