Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Chester, California

Willow Lake Road (29N14) is a scenic 4.5-mile dirt and gravel route on the southern edge of Lassen National Forest. Winding through pine forest, the road climbs gradually from 5,012 feet to 5,500 feet, ending near Willow Lake. It is accessible to high-clearance and all-wheel-drive vehicles. The fin...
Learn more about Willow Lake Road 29N14

This is mostly a gravel trail through a previously burned section of the forest. There's also a campground called Soldier Meadows Campground that was closed at the time of mapping the trail in early June. It's not clear if there's a time it will open. There's a nice creek that runs along a section o...
Learn more about Coyote (Collins 500) - FS 28N36

This very well-maintained road branches off FS 30N32 and offers a beautiful forest drive through the Swain Mountain Experimental Forest. The route winds through a mix of open woodland and denser forest, with large boulders scattered among the trees. Although the road is generally in good condition, ...
Learn more about FS 30N12

This beautiful, well-maintained trail climbs gradually through the forest, with a few rocky sections, but nothing particularly challenging. Much of the fallen tree debris appears to have been cleared recently in preparation for winter, leaving the route in good condition and making for a pleasant dr...
Learn more about FS 30N32A

This trail does go farther than it's mapped, but there was a very large tree that fell on the trail that looks like it's been there for a little bit, with the amount of dirt/ground that has grown around the sides of it. This is the eastern section of the trail. The trail did have some small washes a...
Learn more about Deer Creek South - FS 28N49

This is a long, mostly gravel trail. The first half of the trail is pretty flat and smooth; the second half has more wash/rut damage. There are multiple spots to pull off to camp along the trail, some spots being pretty big for multiple vehicles. The trail ends at a large area to camp as well.
Learn more about Elam Carter - FS 28N12

This relatively well-maintained road winds into the mountains through the Swain Mountain Experimental Forest, offering a beautiful drive through the surrounding landscape. There are a couple of downed trees along the route, but they have been cleared, allowing vehicles to pass. The trail continues t...
Learn more about FS 30N32

This is a dirt trail and isn't too long. There are no washes or ruts or any obstacles along this trail; it's pretty straightforward. Has a couple of cool views along the trail. There is a large camping area at the end of the trail that looks like a nice spot. Can fit multiple vehicles in it.
Learn more about Deer Creek S - FS 28N12G

This beautiful trail begins in a well-kept forest and initially appears to be a straightforward drive, with signs of regular vehicle use from the main road. However, conditions change considerably once you reach a downed tree. At this point, the road branches right, while the main trail continues st...
Learn more about FS 30N33

This beautiful, well-maintained trail follows a mostly straight road with long stretches of gentle ups and downs. The surface consists of darker gravel and can be dusty, although not as dusty as the finer sandy roads in the area. A large fallen tree has been trimmed back to clear the road, but some ...
Learn more about FS 30N77

This is a great, easy-to-moderate trail during the summer that just about any capable 4WD vehicle can enjoy. The route crosses Goodrich Creek and the adjacent historic flume, offering beautiful scenery and several great spots to stop and take in the views. Be aware that this trail is highly seasona...
Learn more about Gator's Flume Run

This is a dirt trail with some small rocks along the trail. Some bushes along the side of the trail make some sections narrower than others. Some small ruts and a tree are overhanging into the trail, but that can easily be driven around. There is a nice, large area to camp at the end of the trail as...
Learn more about West Ruffa - FS 27N93

This is a short trail with small washes and ruts along the way, but nothing extreme or technical. The trail is surrounded by dense green forest, so it's really pretty. There are some small areas along the trail to camp and a small area at the end that you could camp as well, but it may be difficult ...
Learn more about Eagle Rock - FS 27N59

This is a dirt trail that has some small wash sections along it, but it's nothing too crazy. This trail is not too long, and it ends in a great spot to camp. The area to camp at the end is really big; you can easily get multiple vehicles in it to camp. There's Butt Creek near the camp spot as well.
Learn more about Robbers Roost - FS 27N14

Mainly a nice fire road with some small washes, unless you go early in the season. This trail rides the side of a ridge with good views occasionally, and it also has some spots to disperse camp. Could be slippery when wet since there is a lot of red clay.
Learn more about North Branch

Tight, windy trail that drops down into a small canyon. The original second half of the trail is washed away, so it now ends sooner, but it ends in a nice flat area to disperse camp next to a stream with small waterfalls. Sign of fire damage and some standing dead trees in the area so be cautious if...
Learn more about Oak Flat

This trail takes you up the side of the canyon on multiple different shelf roads, ending in trees and a wider trail. It stops at Butt Valley Dam/Reservoir. Looks to have a road around it to go to other trails. Workers at the dam look like they share the trail, and depending on the time of year, have...
Learn more about Caribou

This trail is a mix of dirt and gravel. The trail has small ruts but nothing big. Some of the bushes come into the trail, making it a little narrower in some sections, but it is mostly open. The trail ends with a very large flat area to camp, which can hold multiple vehicles.
Learn more about Humboldt North West - FS 27N80

This trail is generally well maintained at the beginning and toward the end, but the middle section requires considerably more care. Drivers will have to weave around numerous obstacles, including overhanging branches, hanging tree limbs, and other vegetation encroaching on the road. Some of these o...
Learn more about FS 31N42

This trail is a mix of dirt with some rocks in it as well. There is a creek that runs parallel for a large portion of the trail. It is surrounded by beautiful green forest with some dead fallen trees within it as well. There are some sections of the trail that have trees that stick out a little into...
Learn more about Scotts John North - FS 26N11

Willow Lake Road (29N14) is a scenic 4.5-mile dirt and gravel route on the southern edge of Lassen National Forest. Winding through pine forest, the road climbs gradually from 5,012 feet to 5,500 feet, ending near Willow Lake. It is accessible to high-clearance and all-wheel-drive vehicles. The fin...
Learn more about Willow Lake Road 29N14

This is mostly a gravel trail through a previously burned section of the forest. There's also a campground called Soldier Meadows Campground that was closed at the time of mapping the trail in early June. It's not clear if there's a time it will open. There's a nice creek that runs along a section o...
Learn more about Coyote (Collins 500) - FS 28N36

This very well-maintained road branches off FS 30N32 and offers a beautiful forest drive through the Swain Mountain Experimental Forest. The route winds through a mix of open woodland and denser forest, with large boulders scattered among the trees. Although the road is generally in good condition, ...
Learn more about FS 30N12

This trail does go farther than it's mapped, but there was a very large tree that fell on the trail that looks like it's been there for a little bit, with the amount of dirt/ground that has grown around the sides of it. This is the eastern section of the trail. The trail did have some small washes a...
Learn more about Deer Creek South - FS 28N49

Willow Lake Road (29N14) is a scenic 4.5-mile dirt and gravel route on the southern edge of Lassen National Forest. Winding through pine forest, the road climbs gradually from 5,012 feet to 5,500 feet, ending near Willow Lake. It is accessible to high-clearance and all-wheel-drive vehicles. The fin...
Learn more about Willow Lake Road 29N14

This is mostly a gravel trail through a previously burned section of the forest. There's also a campground called Soldier Meadows Campground that was closed at the time of mapping the trail in early June. It's not clear if there's a time it will open. There's a nice creek that runs along a section o...
Learn more about Coyote (Collins 500) - FS 28N36

This very well-maintained road branches off FS 30N32 and offers a beautiful forest drive through the Swain Mountain Experimental Forest. The route winds through a mix of open woodland and denser forest, with large boulders scattered among the trees. Although the road is generally in good condition, ...
Learn more about FS 30N12

This trail does go farther than it's mapped, but there was a very large tree that fell on the trail that looks like it's been there for a little bit, with the amount of dirt/ground that has grown around the sides of it. This is the eastern section of the trail. The trail did have some small washes a...
Learn more about Deer Creek South - FS 28N49