Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Ellensburg, Washington

The road descends from Observatory Road descending slowly. A few camping locations are seen at the beginning, and as you descend, activity of logging and fire control can be seen. The road continues down with some minor ruts but is overall in good shape. It ends in a wide area.
Learn more about Hanson Pond Road

Ainsley Canyon Road winds through the scenic L.T. Murray Wildlife Area in central Washington, offering an accessible yet rewarding off-road experience. This green-dot road is open seasonally from May through mid-December and is best explored in a high-clearance 4x4 or side-by-side. The drive takes y...
Learn more about John's Rock

Although this trail is a fairly short drive from Ellensburg, you will soon feel like you've been transported to the old west. Once you leave the paved Umtanum Road and get onto Durr Road you will find that it is unmaintained dirt with loose rock. You will have some great views of the snow-capped mou...
Learn more about Durr Road to Umtanum Creek Camp

The Wenatchee area in Central Washington offers a scenic and moderately challenging off-road experience using Hanson Road, Observatory Road, and Hudson Road. This trail network winds through a mix of pine forest, shrub steppe, and open ridgelines with expansive views of the Yakima Valley and Mount R...
Learn more about Manastash Ridge Observatory Adventure

The road connects back to the Manastash Ridge Observatory Adventure. It is a short but rocky trail that brings you directly to the observatory and allows you to drive around the structure and take in the views of the surrounding countryside. The eastern portion of the trail contains large loose rock...
Learn more about Observatory Loop

The off-road trail through the LT Murray Wildlife Area via Watt Canyon Road and Page Pasture Road offers a scenic and rewarding drive for those exploring with onX Off Road. The trail begins from Watt Canyon with a mix of firm gravel, scattered rocks, and occasional deep ruts, making it best suited f...
Learn more about Alfalfa Loop

Hutchins Road is an easy 12-mile dirt and gravel trail. This multi-use trail is accessible in both directions, allowing for varied adventures. The ridge provides stunning views, and visitors can enhance their experience by looking for wildlife, such as coyotes and deer, particularly during the early...
Learn more about Hutchins Rd

This trail begins off the pavement of North Wenas Road, where you’ll find signage, a map, and posted rules. It climbs steadily into the hills, passing through a gate that must be closed behind you. Wildflowers are often abundant along the route. The trail eventually meets and follows a canyon for a ...
Learn more about Kelley Hollow Road

Cooke Canyon Road in Naneum Ridge State Forest offers a fun and scenic off-road climb that’s approachable for most high-clearance vehicles. The trail begins with a smooth, well-graded dirt surface, though the first mile is a private road. Be sure to respect the posted 15 mph speed limit as you pass ...
Learn more about Cooke Canyon Road

This riding area does not open until May 1st. The trail is on a mostly well-groomed forest service road, but you might come across some loose rocks and a few potholes. This 7-mile stretch connects the Manastash and Gnat Flat Trails, and there are lots of fun turns off the main trail that make for aw...
Learn more about Tamarack Ridge Road

This is the beginning 3-mile section not yet mapped on Manastash Road. This is a wide, well-maintained dirt and gravel forest road. This section runs from approximately 2600 ft elevation to 3175 ft of elevation. When ran, this forest road was clear of snow at this elevation with some damp dirt spots...
Learn more about Manastash Road NF3100

Parke Creek Road is a 5.3-mile point-to-point trail beginning in the Kittitas Valley and ascending to an intersection with Beacon Ridge Road just beyond a gate. A Washington State Discover Pass is required for access. The gate may be legally passed through; please leave it as you found it (open or c...
Learn more about Parke Creek Road

Tyee Road is a moderate dirt and gravel route in Naneum Ridge State Forest, linking Cooke Canyon to Coleman Canyon as part of Washington DNR’s Green Dot Road System. It’s primarily used by high-clearance 4x4s, ATVs, and dirt bikes, offering a practical connector for off-road travel in the Ellensburg...
Learn more about Tyee Road

This wide single-lane gravel road connects the main FS 35 road and the FS 3517 Wilson Creek Rd. It travels through some private property, but it is posted, requesting that people just stay on the road for those sections. The road surface is good, with nothing more than potholes for obstacles. There ...
Learn more about FS 3500-114

The south trail through the Colockum Wildlife Area, just west of Vantage, WA, is a great introduction to off-road driving with rewarding views throughout. The route is mostly dirt and gravel, with sections of loose rock on the hill climbs that keep things interesting without being overly technical. ...
Learn more about Green Gate Access - South Road

The North Cross Trail in the Colockum Wildlife Area offers an approachable and scenic introduction to off-road driving just west of Vantage, WA. The route connects West Road to Bitterroot Road, following a mix of packed dirt, loose rock, and occasional rutted sections that keep things interesting wi...
Learn more about Green Gate Access - North Road

Dawson Canyon Road in Naneum Ridge State Forest is a great introductory off-road route that gradually transitions from an easy forest drive into a more engaging climb. The lower section is a well-maintained logging road, wide, smooth, and accessible for most high-clearance vehicles. As you gain elev...
Learn more about Dawson Canyon Road

This single-lane natural surface road begins from the main FS 35 road and ends at a turnaround just shy of two miles later. There are several side roads to explore. The road surface has exposed embedded rocks and loose rocks up to a foot high, as well as erosion damage up to a foot deep. It travels ...
Learn more about FS 3500-113

The Colockum Wildlife Area west of Vantage, WA, offers an excellent introduction to off-road driving, especially along the western approach. This trail features a mix of well-maintained dirt roads with some loose rock and mild ruts, making it ideal for beginners or anyone looking for a relaxed day o...
Learn more about Green Gate Access - West Road

This single-lane dirt road begins from FS 3500-113 and travels roughly parallel to the hillside. It travels through the same mixed forest with open areas. The road has exposed embedded rocks and loose rocks up to a foot high, as well as erosion damage up to a foot deep. This track ends at a berm whi...
Learn more about FS 3500-221

Ainsley Canyon Road winds through the scenic L.T. Murray Wildlife Area in central Washington, offering an accessible yet rewarding off-road experience. This green-dot road is open seasonally from May through mid-December and is best explored in a high-clearance 4x4 or side-by-side. The drive takes y...
Learn more about John's Rock

Although this trail is a fairly short drive from Ellensburg, you will soon feel like you've been transported to the old west. Once you leave the paved Umtanum Road and get onto Durr Road you will find that it is unmaintained dirt with loose rock. You will have some great views of the snow-capped mou...
Learn more about Durr Road to Umtanum Creek Camp

The Wenatchee area in Central Washington offers a scenic and moderately challenging off-road experience using Hanson Road, Observatory Road, and Hudson Road. This trail network winds through a mix of pine forest, shrub steppe, and open ridgelines with expansive views of the Yakima Valley and Mount R...
Learn more about Manastash Ridge Observatory Adventure

The road connects back to the Manastash Ridge Observatory Adventure. It is a short but rocky trail that brings you directly to the observatory and allows you to drive around the structure and take in the views of the surrounding countryside. The eastern portion of the trail contains large loose rock...
Learn more about Observatory Loop

Ainsley Canyon Road winds through the scenic L.T. Murray Wildlife Area in central Washington, offering an accessible yet rewarding off-road experience. This green-dot road is open seasonally from May through mid-December and is best explored in a high-clearance 4x4 or side-by-side. The drive takes y...
Learn more about John's Rock

Although this trail is a fairly short drive from Ellensburg, you will soon feel like you've been transported to the old west. Once you leave the paved Umtanum Road and get onto Durr Road you will find that it is unmaintained dirt with loose rock. You will have some great views of the snow-capped mou...
Learn more about Durr Road to Umtanum Creek Camp

The Wenatchee area in Central Washington offers a scenic and moderately challenging off-road experience using Hanson Road, Observatory Road, and Hudson Road. This trail network winds through a mix of pine forest, shrub steppe, and open ridgelines with expansive views of the Yakima Valley and Mount R...
Learn more about Manastash Ridge Observatory Adventure

The road connects back to the Manastash Ridge Observatory Adventure. It is a short but rocky trail that brings you directly to the observatory and allows you to drive around the structure and take in the views of the surrounding countryside. The eastern portion of the trail contains large loose rock...
Learn more about Observatory Loop