Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Desert Center, California
Bradshaw's Trail
Bradshaw's Trail is roughly a 70-mile-long trail stretching from Blythe, CA, to the eastern side of the Salton Sea. The trail runs east to west although it can be traveled from either end, and goes… Learn more about Bradshaw's Trail
Total Miles
66.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
SR2013 Red Canyon Jeep Trail
Right off the 10 Freeway just South of Joshua Tree National Park is the Red Canyon Jeep Trail. A 13-mile trail that winds its way through the mountains into the Bradshaw Trail. The trail is… Learn more about SR2013 Red Canyon Jeep Trail
Total Miles
12.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Berdoo Canyon Road
This is a fantastic trail that can be run in either direction. The trail is relatively easy, but there are a few obstacles that can give you trouble if you don't have enough clearance and… Learn more about Berdoo Canyon Road
Total Miles
23
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Geology Tour Road
Geology Tour Road leads through Pleasant Valley in Joshua Tree National Park. It's a dirt and sand road meant to discover different geological features with points of interest along the way. There are hiking trails… Learn more about Geology Tour Road
Total Miles
7.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Parachute Landing
Parachute Landing is an unmaintained paved road and beach trail leading to a decommissioned Naval Auxiliary Air Station. A non-technical but eroding road with sand drifts turns into a dirt path, eventually terminating at the… Learn more about Parachute Landing
Total Miles
4.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Old Woman Mountains Wilderness Pipeline Road
This nearly 19-mile scenic route skirts the base of the Old Woman Mountains Wilderness' northwest boundary and provides incredible views of the Fenner Valley below. As you traverse the base of the mountain range on… Learn more about Old Woman Mountains Wilderness Pipeline Road
Total Miles
17.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
Tougher Pipeline to Ehrenberg Sandbowl
Looking for a way to get from Quartzsite to the Ehrenberg Sandbowl OHV area? This trail connects Tougher Pipeline to the Sandbowl. From Quartzsite, you can take Oh Snap Spurs, Saddle Mountain Loop, or Granite… Learn more about Tougher Pipeline to Ehrenberg Sandbowl
Total Miles
12.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Ehrenberg to Diablo Pass
This track crosses the Colorado River Indian Tribe Lands, so YOU NEED a CRIT sticker before riding this trail. You will travel from Ehrenberg, at the Colorado River, to Diablo Pass, going through the Plomosa… Learn more about Ehrenberg to Diablo Pass
Total Miles
12.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Ocotillo to Train Bridge
Leaving Highway 78 the wash is large and wide enough for a few cars as you get further into the trail the wash tightens up and becomes wide enough for 1 car. The wash turns… Learn more about Ocotillo to Train Bridge
Total Miles
14.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Painted Mountains
This track takes you north out of Quartzsite, AZ, across the desert to the amazing Painted Mountains and canyons surrounding Mesquite Mountain. You will be on the reservation of the Colorado River Indian Tribe (CRIT)… Learn more about Painted Mountains
Total Miles
45.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Fonts Point
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
Eureka Peak
This trail takes you to Eureka Peak, which is a mountain top viewpoint allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the area from a high elevation. There are hiking trails throughout this area and… Learn more about Eureka Peak
Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Red Cloud Mine
Easy ride out and back, but a bit bumpy at times. The trail partially goes through Yuma Proving Grounds, follow signs and leave unexplored ammunition alone. 4WD is preferred, but not absolutely necessary if you… Learn more about Red Cloud Mine
Total Miles
13.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Tougher Pipeline
This simple and easy trail gives you access to Quartzsite trails. Always download your maps and come prepared. Trails leading from this trail vary in difficulty. You will find many mine sites, obstacle courses, and… Learn more about Tougher Pipeline
Total Miles
8.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Picacho State Park Trail
Picacho State Park Road is easy get to and is mainly loose gravel and washes. It is a two-lane at first then turns into a one-lane. The southern part starts out wide, then gets narrow… Learn more about Picacho State Park Trail
Total Miles
14
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Saddle Mountain Loop
Saddle Mountain is a BLM area near Tonopah, AZ. It's a scenic trail that has many dispersed camping opportunities. The trail loops completely around Saddle Mountain. There's a hiking trail leaving from this trail to… Learn more about Saddle Mountain Loop
Total Miles
12.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Arrastia Wash Trail
This wash is full of prospector fun. It is loose river gravel with a few sand areas. 4WD is recommended. There are many things to do and see. It's an out-and-back, single-lane road with little… Learn more about Arrastia Wash Trail
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Coyote Canyon
This is an out and back route that ends at a nice hike and small campground. Along the way, you'll encounter a small water crossing or two, depending on the time of year and rain.… Learn more about Coyote Canyon
Total Miles
8.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Granite Mountain Loop
This 6.75-mile trail loops around Granite Mountain, which is just south of Quartzsite. It takes you right by Joseph Cone's Stone Cabin. The track is on BLM public lands. The wildlife possibilities include bighorn sheep,… Learn more about Granite Mountain Loop
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Olla Wash
This is an out and back trail that splits of from Fish Creek wash in the Sandstone Canyon area of Anza Borrego State Park. Just before the end of the trail, there is a small… Learn more about Olla Wash
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Hightower Trail
This is a fun trail that follows the high line poles out into the desert. If coming from Lake Havasu on the Whipple Mountain Loop Trail, you can stay straight and follow this trail down.… Learn more about Hightower Trail
Total Miles
11.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Swansea Townsite
Take this desert drive off the beaten path to visit Swansea Townsite, an historic town with some really unique ruins. ATVs and UTVs will love all of the side roads available along this route. Learn more about Swansea Townsite
Total Miles
37.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
Sunkist
This 7-mile trail across the desert on the east side of Quartzsite is one of the main trails to go north or south to other trails. It is dusty and very rough in places, but… Learn more about Sunkist
Total Miles
6.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
KOFA Pipeline
This relatively easy trail spans the northernmost area of KOFA National wildlife refuge and provides access to camping near Crystal Hill, Burrow Canyon, KOFA Cabin, Hoodoo Wash, and Red Rock Pass. Along the way, you'll… Learn more about KOFA Pipeline
Total Miles
26.5
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Rockin' Ram Trail - Southern Section
This trail, combined with the Rockin' Ram Trail - Northern Section, will take you round-trip from Quartzsite to Brenda and back, all on dirt.From Brenda, AZ, take the Spur Loop to Brenda trail west until… Learn more about Rockin' Ram Trail - Southern Section
Total Miles
19.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Sunkist Spur 1
Just under 4 miles, Sunkist Spur #1 connects Sunkist to West End Preacher Pass Trail. It takes you close to the mountains as you move east away from Quartzsite. In the AZ desert, always be… Learn more about Sunkist Spur 1
Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
West End Preacher Pass
This western section leads to the main preacher pass trail or splits to take you north back to the Main Arizona Peace Trail. There are some sandy and sharp rocks sections, but it's generally quite… Learn more about West End Preacher Pass
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Osborne Wash
This 3.7-mile track, which goes through the Osborne Wash for part of the trail, provides a cut-across trail to get back into Parker or get out to the Swansea Townsite Trail, without having to go… Learn more about Osborne Wash
Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Plomosa Mountains
This is a really fun and easy adventure. There are sand dunes, washes and a single rocky section that gives just a bit of a challenge. Its a great area for ATVs and UTVs with… Learn more about Plomosa Mountains
Total Miles
12.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
Canyon de Guadalupe High Road
When this road through the lake bed is wet and muddy, this is the safe route to access the Canyon de Guadalupe Hot Springs. It is long and bumpy, so it's wise to air down… Learn more about Canyon de Guadalupe High Road
Total Miles
32.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa
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