Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Darwin, California

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

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 route bypasses a section that would normally run through a salt pond (on the way back, we took that route, and it was firm, not recommended though). Running on mostly engineered raised berms and…
Learn more about Keeler Route

This 1.5 vehicle-wide sandy trail follows power lines while offering views of both the Coso Range Mountains and Eastern Sierra Mountains, creating layered scenery. Nice views of the Haiwee Reservoir appear as you navigate. The…
Learn more about BLM SE781

This limited-use area trail cuts across Highway 395, starting just above the South Haiwee Reservoir, a private lake owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Hard-packed sand with embedded rocks forms…
Learn more about Haiwee Canyon Road - BLM SE776

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

Starting just off Highway 395 on the north side with no access from southbound lanes, this sandy route navigates through lush desert flora, including large Joshua trees, smoke trees, and creosote bushes, creating unusually dense…
Learn more about BLM 37E402

Nemo Canyon Road is an easy two-track that runs about 2.5 miles to two mine sites. The trail has minor ruts and rocks and follows the canyon to an old mining area where the route…
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This short connector starts off Highway 395, delivering access to the Aqueduct Access Road efficiently. Hard pack sand at 1.5 vehicles wide provides comfortable navigation room. Nice views of the Eastern Sierra mountains frame your…
Learn more about BLM SE105

Following the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power aqueduct on BLM land, this seasonally graded soft sand route delivers stunning views of the Eastern Sierras and surrounding mountains to the south. The trail winds…
Learn more about Aqueduct Service Double Canyon

This route runs from Boulder Creek RV camp to the Reward Mine area. There are dirt trails shown next to Highway 136, but they are gone and fenced off, so you need to run 0.7…
Learn more about Reward Access

Running parallel to Highway 395 in the foothills of the Eastern Sierra Mountains, this mostly sandy route enjoys slight grading that improves the surface. The trail faithfully follows the second aqueduct of the Los Angeles…
Learn more about Aqueduct Service Road Deadfoot Canyon

This 1.5 vehicle-wide soft sand route enjoys seasonal grading that helps during maintenance periods. Following the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Aqueduct while running parallel to Highway 395 in the foothills of the…
Learn more about Aqueduct Service No name Canyon

Following double power lines for navigation reference, this mostly sandy route starts near Sand Canyon and travels through No Name Canyon. Occasional rocks appear in the middle of the trail, requiring attention and line selection.…
Learn more about BLM LAP No Name Canyon

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 loose sand trail transitions to rockier surface as you climb a shelf road along a cliff up the mountain edge. Climbing 600 feet in just under 2 miles creates serious grades with stunning views…
Learn more about BLM SE115

Following power lines for a reliable navigation reference, this sandy route navigates terrain punctuated with ruts, off-camber sections, and uneven spots, creating varied challenges. Great views unfold of Sand Canyon in the Eastern Sierra Mountains,…
Learn more about BLM LAP Grapevine Canyon

Climbing and dropping 300 feet in less than 2 miles, this shelf road clings to a cliff, delivering stunning views of the valley below, spreading to Ridgecrest, mountains in Death Valley, and beyond. The trail…
Learn more about Sand Canyon Cliff Road - BLM 117

This 1.5 to 2 vehicle wide route alternates between loose sand and packed sand surfaces, creating variable traction. Runoff ruts up to 6-8 inches deep cut the trail sides, requiring awareness to avoid catching wheels.…
Learn more about Aquaduct Service Road Grapevine Canyon - BLM LA2

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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Starting off BLM SE120 near Grapevine Canyon Road, this sand and gravel road runs just over one vehicle wide while traveling mostly on a shelf road perched high above the valley below. Serving as access…
Learn more about Aquaduct Service Road Grapevine - BLM LA1

Starting in Sand Canyon, this single-wide narrow trail wastes no time climbing a shelf road above the canyon floor, creating dramatic views. Sandy surface with loose rocks forms the roadbed as you navigate various switchbacks…
Learn more about BLM 116

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

This seasonally graded two-vehicle wide sandy route starts on the feeder road accessible right off Highway 395. Heading west into Grapevine Canyon, the Eastern Sierra Mountains serve as your dramatic backdrop. Whoops and ruts punctuate…
Learn more about Grapevine Canyon Road - BLM SE128

This short trail leads up to Russel Camp, which is an old mining cabin that you can stay at when visiting Death Valley. It has a honeymoon suite (not recommended), a kitchen, a solar shower,…
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Starting off BLM SE138, this sandy route features lots of off-camber sections, ruts, and articulating whoops while going up and down small hills in decidedly non-flat terrain that will test your suspension thoroughly. The trail…
Learn more about BLM SE125

This is the main (occasionally) graded route to get to Trona Pinnacles. This hard-packed washboard road takes you across the desert and the shortest operating railroad in America. Be sure to stop and check for…
Learn more about The Easy Route to Trona Pinnacles

Starting on the feeder road off Highway 395 north of Brady's Mini Mart, this sandy alternative route heads west toward Short Canyon, serving as another option to reach Short Canyon Trailhead beyond BLM SE139. The…
Learn more about Leliter Road - BLM SE137

Starting off the Highway 395 feeder south of Brady's Mini Mart, this connector delivers you to the trail accessing Short Canyon Trailhead as well as other trails in the area. Sandy surface alternates between loose…
Learn more about Short Canyon Road - BLM SE138

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