Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Hamilton Branch, California

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 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 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 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 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 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 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

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

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

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 well-maintained trail winds through a lovely pine forest, with young pine saplings lining both sides of the road and adding new growth to the area. The route is generally smooth and easy to follow, making it a pleasant option for a relaxed drive through the trees. A couple of spur trails branch...
Learn more about FS 30N48

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 short but enjoyable trail winds through the forest before opening into a large clearing. Several spots along the way offer opportunities for dispersed camping, and the route eventually splits, with another trail leading to additional camping areas. There is some forest debris scattered througho...
Learn more about FS 30N46

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 well-maintained gravel road serves as a main connector between Westwood and Susanville, passing by McCoy Flat Reservoir along the way. The surface is generally in good condition, with a few side roads branching off for those looking to explore nearby routes. This drive provides a convenient way...
Learn more about FS 101

This well-maintained gravel road is a pleasant route that connects back to the main road, with a few spur trails branching off along the way. The surface is generally in good condition, although you may encounter some corrugation in places. The trail runs alongside Hog Flat Reservoir, which is curre...
Learn more about FS 30N06

This maintained trail has some challenging sections due to deep mud ruts that have hardened into uneven ridges and deep holes. Soft sand and mud can set like clay, leaving a rough surface even when the road is dry; during the rainy season, the ruts can become muddy and hard to navigate, so take it s...
Learn more about FS 30N42

This relatively well-maintained white gravel road winds down the mountain, with plenty of dust and lovely views of the surrounding landscape. One highlight is an impressive volcanic rock face that rises dramatically beside the route, making this area particularly beautiful to explore. The road becom...
Learn more about FS 30N03C

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 beautiful, well-maintained trail climbs through the forest and offers a lovely drive with some stunning surroundings. It’s a popular route, and although a few downed trees remain, most have been cleared, making the trail easy to follow. The route is relatively short but well worth exploring, wi...
Learn more about FS 31N33

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 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 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 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 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 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 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