Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Independence, California

Riding on top of an engineered berm, below Fossil Hill. Near the Reward mine, below the Inyo Mountains. Only 3.2 miles, average speed 15 miles per hour, and took under 15 minutes. There is a dirt trail on the downhill side part of the way. May be a little sketchy in a full-size vehicle.
Learn more about Berm Trail

This trail is a technical out-and-back side route off Moffat Ranch Road near the main attraction, Movie Road Drive in North Alabama Hills. The trail starts with an immediate climb up the side of several hillsides that will eventually flatten out to a large parking area at the crest of the highest hi...
Learn more about North Alabama Hills Vista Trail

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 miles on asphalt. Most of this is wide open, two-lane, but near the Owens River, it is a single vehicle trail.
Learn more about Reward Access

This scenic dirt and gravel trail begins off the paved highway with a small staging area for up to four vehicles. The narrow route winds through the hills with nonstop mountain views and frequent rock gardens. Expect occasional 6–8-inch ruts and sections reaching 8° off-camber. At 1 mile, a level ca...
Learn more about Waucoba Road

This is a 17-mile loop outside Big Pine. You can access the trail from Glacier Lodge Road or South School Street. From Glacier Lodge Road, access the trail on McMurry Meadows Road. The first 5 miles are flat with higher speeds, 1 to 2 cars wide, and have cows roaming. Once you make the turn onto tra...
Learn more about Crater Mountain Loop

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 rain run-off. High-clearance vehicles are recommended. The trail turns more challenging as you rise into the canyon....
Learn more about South Fork Lubken Creek Canyon Loop

This narrow gravel trail branches off Saline Valley Road and climbs directly toward Cowhorn Hill, with an incline for much of the route. Expect overgrown vegetation and some tight tree-lined sections, although pinstriping is avoidable with careful driving. Two small campsites are located around 0.4 ...
Learn more about Cowhorn Hill

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 gravel/dirt roads- It is the old state Highway. Towards the end, it cuts through some sand mounds.
Learn more about Keeler Route

This narrow dirt and gravel trail travels through open terrain with unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains and Inyo National Forest. Expect overgrown vegetation along the trail and under your vehicle. Around 1 mile, ruts reach 8 inches deep, with whoops that can be difficult to see, so driv...
Learn more about FS 9S108

This narrow dirt and gravel trail begins from a difficult-to-see highway pullout and winds through the surrounding hills. Tight trees appear in some sections, but pinstriping is avoidable with careful driving. The route offers more than 12 campsites with level ground, shade, and excellent mountain v...
Learn more about FS 9S109

This narrow dirt and gravel trail travels northeast through a scenic valley between the surrounding hills and mountains. Expect frequent rocks and rock gardens, along with 6–8-inch ruts. Heavy vegetation and weeds cover sections of the trail and can brush against the undercarriage. The route offers ...
Learn more about FS 9S109A

Hard Pack dirt with small water crossings and mud holes the trail runs close to the Owens River so there is plenty of fishing, a small freshwater pond for summer swimming, plenty of off-grid camping spots, and a lot of side spurs. A lifted stock 2-wheel drive should have no problem crossing this tra...
Learn more about Big Pine to Silver Canyon

This narrow dirt and gravel trail travels through an open valley between the surrounding hills, offering excellent mountain and valley views throughout. The route is rocky in places, with scattered rock gardens and short sections reaching 5–8° off-camber. When dry, this is an easy and scenic trail s...
Learn more about FS 8S108

This narrow dirt and gravel trail continues past FS 9S109 and climbs farther into the hills. Expect 2–4-inch ruts and frequent rock gardens with sharp rocks 6–8 inches in diameter. All-terrain tires are highly recommended, and street tires should be avoided. Around 0.4 miles, tight trees and overgro...
Learn more about FS 9S109H

This narrow dirt and gravel trail travels northeast through the hills with excellent mountain views. At 0.7 miles, a level, shaded campsite accommodates five to six vehicles and has a fire ring. Around 1 mile, the trail becomes significantly rockier with frequent rock gardens and rocks ranging from ...
Learn more about FS 9S109J

This route climbs over 1,000 feet and drops just over 300 feet before peaking at 10,308 feet. The trail runs through an open meadow surrounded by hills and the Eastern Sierra Range, offering scenic high-country terrain throughout the journey. Several spur trails branch off for exploration, including...
Learn more about FS 32E303 East

This narrow dirt and gravel trail has frequent rock gardens and tight overgrowth where pinstriping is unavoidable. The first half includes 10–12 inch ruts and off-camber terrain, along with sharp rocks and boulders near the trail edges that require careful vehicle placement. At the end, a private ca...
Learn more about FS 35E303

This narrow dirt and rocky trail continues past 8S106 and has frequent rock gardens with sharp, exposed rocks requiring careful tire placement. Several sections become extremely tight with trees and overgrown branches, making pinstriping unavoidable farther into the trail. At 0.7 miles, a level camp...
Learn more about FS 35E304

This route climbs 213 feet and drops 544 feet in elevation, featuring a sandy and grassy trail that climbs up into the hills. The dusty trail offers lots of interesting rock formations high up in the hills and stunning views of the Eastern Sierras as you come down the south side. The journey include...
Learn more about FS 32E302

This narrow dirt and gravel trail begins with 10–12 inch ruts and washes before continuing through rocky forest terrain. Expect sharp rocks and ledges, sections reaching 10–12° off-camber, and tight trees that require careful vehicle placement. All-terrain tires are highly recommended. A large, leve...
Learn more about FS 8S106

Riding on top of an engineered berm, below Fossil Hill. Near the Reward mine, below the Inyo Mountains. Only 3.2 miles, average speed 15 miles per hour, and took under 15 minutes. There is a dirt trail on the downhill side part of the way. May be a little sketchy in a full-size vehicle.
Learn more about Berm Trail

This trail is a technical out-and-back side route off Moffat Ranch Road near the main attraction, Movie Road Drive in North Alabama Hills. The trail starts with an immediate climb up the side of several hillsides that will eventually flatten out to a large parking area at the crest of the highest hi...
Learn more about North Alabama Hills Vista Trail

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 miles on asphalt. Most of this is wide open, two-lane, but near the Owens River, it is a single vehicle trail.
Learn more about Reward Access

This scenic dirt and gravel trail begins off the paved highway with a small staging area for up to four vehicles. The narrow route winds through the hills with nonstop mountain views and frequent rock gardens. Expect occasional 6–8-inch ruts and sections reaching 8° off-camber. At 1 mile, a level ca...
Learn more about Waucoba Road

Riding on top of an engineered berm, below Fossil Hill. Near the Reward mine, below the Inyo Mountains. Only 3.2 miles, average speed 15 miles per hour, and took under 15 minutes. There is a dirt trail on the downhill side part of the way. May be a little sketchy in a full-size vehicle.
Learn more about Berm Trail

This trail is a technical out-and-back side route off Moffat Ranch Road near the main attraction, Movie Road Drive in North Alabama Hills. The trail starts with an immediate climb up the side of several hillsides that will eventually flatten out to a large parking area at the crest of the highest hi...
Learn more about North Alabama Hills Vista Trail

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 miles on asphalt. Most of this is wide open, two-lane, but near the Owens River, it is a single vehicle trail.
Learn more about Reward Access

This scenic dirt and gravel trail begins off the paved highway with a small staging area for up to four vehicles. The narrow route winds through the hills with nonstop mountain views and frequent rock gardens. Expect occasional 6–8-inch ruts and sections reaching 8° off-camber. At 1 mile, a level ca...
Learn more about Waucoba Road