Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Desert Shores, California

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area, the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about Palm Wash

North Fork Palm Wash is an 8.8-mile out-and-back trail rated 3 of 10 within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. North Palm Wash extends from the Santa Rosa Mountains and flows eastward through the Truckhaven section…
Learn more about North Fork Palm Wash

South Fork Palm Wash is an 8.8-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. South Fork Palm Wash extends from the Santa Rosa Mountains and flows eastward through the Truckhaven…
Learn more about South Fork Palm Wash

Calcite Mine Road is a 7.6-mile out-and-back trail rated 3 of 10 located within the California Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (ABDSP). Trails within the ABDSP are restricted to street-legal vehicles. The Calcite Mine Road trailhead…
Learn more about Calcite Mine Road

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area, the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about Gettysburg Trail

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area, the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about Tectonic Gorge Trail

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area, the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about Tierra del Sol

Truckhaven Trail is a 2.6-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 located within the California Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The trail is restricted to street-legal vehicles. Truckhaven Trail trailhead is located on Highway S22 across…
Learn more about Truckhaven Trail

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area, the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about Cross Over Trail

This side spur follows the North Fork Arroyo Salada. It leaves the Truckhaven Trail and then reconnects further down the trail. It's a beautiful, less traveled side trail--mostly sandy wash with some rocky obstacles to…
Learn more about Truckhaven Trail Side Loop

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about North Fork Arroyo Salado

This 3-mile out-and-back trail starts on Highway 22 just across from Ella Wash and heads into the hills, winding between the mud hills as it gains elevation. The sand is very fine with some sections…
Learn more about Coachwhip Canyon

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area, the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about Arroyo Salado Wash

This is an alternate route from the Salton Sea to Bradshaw's Trail. From the 111, take Parkside Drive and make a left on Desert Aire Drive. The road will take you right next to the…
Learn more about Salton Sea to Bradshaw's Trail

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area, the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about Tule Wash

This trail starts in Arroyo Salado and cuts over to Veterans Pass and Tule Wash, quickly climbing out of the Arroyo Salado Wash and cutting across an open plain where you can see 360-degree views…
Learn more about Veterans Pass Cut-off

This trail starts on the north border of the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, which is also next to Arroyo Salado Wash. The route runs along the electrical poles, creating an easy landmark to…
Learn more about Pole Line Road North

This trail starts at Palo Verde Wash and ends on Highway 22, cutting through a wash that is full of varying types of desert brush, creating a vegetated corridor. The surface is fine sand with…
Learn more about Ella Wash

This trail is located in the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Open Riding Area, the largest in California, where registered OHV and highway legal vehicles are allowed. The route is a narrow wash with lots…
Learn more about BLM 063

This trail runs east to west, starting at the Cut-off Trail and ending at Pole Line Road. The surface is hard-packed sand, and the trail is relatively flat, making for straightforward navigation. The route is…
Learn more about Veteran's Pass

Cut Across Trail is an 8-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 out of 10 located mostly within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. This trail is an important sand wash because it provides the major transition from…
Learn more about Cut Across Trail

Palo Verde Wash is a 10.7-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 within both the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. The north end of the trail starts within…
Learn more about Palo Verde Wash

This trail starts on the north end at Veterans Pass and cuts in and out of Tule Wash, BLM069, and Sand Rail Wash along the way. Some of the ramps in and out of washes…
Learn more about Freedom Trail

Painted Canyon is a gorgeous landmark outside of Mecca, California. At the entrance to the road leading to the canyon, there is a warning sign that says "Passable for 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles Only". At the…
Learn more about Painted Canyon Road

Basin Wash is a 2.9-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 out of 10 located within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Basin Wash falls entirely within the ABDSP and therefore the trail is restricted to only street-legal…
Learn more about Basin Wash

This is the Mecca Orocopia Trail, a connection to the Little Box Canyon Meccacopia Loop. This is an easy dirt road trail where you can admire the beautiful views of the Orocopia mountains. There is…
Learn more about Mecca Orocopia Jeep Trail

Welcome to the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicle Recreational Area, the largest SVRA in California with more than 85,000 acres. OWSVRA is over 130 square miles with hundreds of miles of desert track open to all…
Learn more about Pumpkin Patch Trail

This trail starts just off Fonts Point Wash and ends on Palo Verde Wash. The route begins on the west end on higher ground with hard-pack sand providing solid traction. The trail eventually drops into…
Learn more about Short Wash

This trail starts just off Highway 22 and travels parallel to it, ending around 4 miles later at the Mile High Mountain Trailhead next to Highway 22. The trail is fairly straight but climbs almost…
Learn more about Truckhaven Trail West

Thimble Trail is a 2.1-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 within the California Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The trail is restricted to street-legal vehicles. Thimble Trail provides the shortest off-road route to the Borrego…
Learn more about Thimble Trail