Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Joshua Tree, California
Explore All Beginner Trails Near Joshua Tree, California
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
Learn more about Eureka Peak
Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Integratron
This trail offers a fantastic introduction to desert driving, primarily wide enough for two cars and framed by Joshua Trees. While there are a few soft sand patches to be aware of, the ride is…
Learn more about Integratron
Learn more about Integratron
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Roadrunner Rut - BLM S1421
Roadrunner Rut is an easy dirt road that climbs into the jumbo boulder gardens and skirts along Black Lava Butte. It changes its name to BLM S1421 as it crosses into BLM lands and descends…
Learn more about Roadrunner Rut - BLM S1421
Learn more about Roadrunner Rut - BLM S1421
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
New Dixie Mine Road - BLM C2330
New Dixie Mine Road runs West from Hwy 247 at Flamingo Heights into an unnamed valley that splits two separate sections of the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness. This 8.5-mile road is generally an easy drive with…
Learn more about New Dixie Mine Road - BLM C2330
Learn more about New Dixie Mine Road - BLM C2330
Total Miles
8.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Giant Rock
To reach Giant Rock, turn off Boone Road and head across Means Lakebed. The route generally consists of smooth desert sand interspersed with small washes. Numerous intertwining trails offer choices in your path. Be mindful…
Learn more about Giant Rock
Learn more about Giant Rock
Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Geology Tour Road
This is a fantastic family adventure. The entire trail is located inside Joshua Tree National Park. It is a long loop trail that is very scenic with beautiful vistas, interesting rock formations, ancient volcanic lava…
Learn more about Geology Tour Road
Learn more about Geology Tour Road
Total Miles
8.8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
BLM C3524
BLM #C3524 is a mellow, sandy road that climbs from Highway 18 up into the boulders at the NE corner of the Bighorn Wilderness boundary. It is only rated a two because of a couple…
Learn more about BLM C3524
Learn more about BLM C3524
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa
Spur - BLM C2315
This short half-mile spur legally enters the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness to reach a spring. The road surface is dirt and sand. The land on both sides of the road is wilderness. Stay on the established…
Learn more about Spur - BLM C2315
Learn more about Spur - BLM C2315
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Bighorn Connector
Bighorn Connector is a well-used trail that connects the ends of adjacent BLM roads that terminate near the Bighorn Wilderness boundary to create a series of interconnected loops. It is an easy combination of sandy…
Learn more about Bighorn Connector
Learn more about Bighorn Connector
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa
BLM C3429
BLM #C3429 is a sandy road that climbs from Cholla Road in the community of Johnson Valley, CA into the boulders along to the boundary of the Bighorn Mountains Wilderness. It is part of a…
Learn more about BLM C3429
Learn more about BLM C3429
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Spur - BLM C2317
This short dead-end spur accesses an overlook that provides territorial views into the valley below and the Bighorn Mountains Wilderness on both sides of the New Dixie Mine Road. It starts out as an easy…
Learn more about Spur - BLM C2317
Learn more about Spur - BLM C2317
Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Spur Roads - BLM C2319 - C2352
This short, sandy 1-mile spur road is broken into two separate numbered segments - BLM C2319 AND BLM C2352. It accesses a small parking area at the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness boundary and a single remote…
Learn more about Spur Roads - BLM C2319 - C2352
Learn more about Spur Roads - BLM C2319 - C2352
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Berdoo Canyon
Wind your way up this canyon that is primarily sand and small rocks. There are a few extra credit options that do have bypasses, except for one or two obstacles at the end. Anything other…
Learn more about Berdoo Canyon
Learn more about Berdoo Canyon
Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Sand Dune Expedition
Starting near Highway 247 and Pony Road, your adventure likely took you deep into this expansive desert playground, known for its diverse terrain. While Johnson Valley is famous for the extreme rock-crawling "Hammers," the northern…
Learn more about Sand Dune Expedition
Learn more about Sand Dune Expedition
Total Miles
11.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow spur, an out-and-back trail in the San Bernardino National Forest, offers an outstanding spot to find quiet dispersed camping after a day of rough off-roading on Heartbreak Ridge and surrounding trails. A terrific…
Learn more about Sleepy Hollow
Learn more about Sleepy Hollow
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su
NF 2NO1 Broom Flats
This is mostly a graded forest road with sections of varying degrees of obstacles such as ruts, shale, and washes. You will come across pine trees to cacti. There is potential snow in the winter…
Learn more about NF 2NO1 Broom Flats
Learn more about NF 2NO1 Broom Flats
Total Miles
5.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Smarts Ranch 3N03
This is a less often traveled trail close to Burns Canyon and 18. Although there are not any vistas, there are a few points to stop and enjoy the solitude. The section closest to Burns…
Learn more about Smarts Ranch 3N03
Learn more about Smarts Ranch 3N03
Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Wildhorse Meadow - 2N93
2N93 Wildhorse Meadow is in the San Bernardino National Forest, southeast of Big Bear Lake. This trail has designated camping, with two yellow post sites on 2N93F. It's obvious where Wildhorse Meadow gets its name…
Learn more about Wildhorse Meadow - 2N93
Learn more about Wildhorse Meadow - 2N93
Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Pinyon & Vista Trail Loop - FS 2E20
This 50-inch trail network offers some great, varied terrain in the Cactus Flats area. The trails are well-marked, easy to follow, and are fun on bikes and ATVs of all sizes. This network consists of…
Learn more about Pinyon & Vista Trail Loop - FS 2E20
Learn more about Pinyon & Vista Trail Loop - FS 2E20
Total Miles
4.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Smart Spring - 3N07Y
Smart Spring trail is an alternate access to the Cactus Flat OHV Staging Area. It is a short, little used, and maintained trail that drops down from Hwy 18 that has some short rocky sections…
Learn more about Smart Spring - 3N07Y
Learn more about Smart Spring - 3N07Y
Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Sand Canyon - FS 2N27
Sand Canyon (FS 2N27) is primarily a hard-packed sand and rocky gravel road. It is an easy ride in the summer months; however, there is no winter maintenance. During times of rain, snow, and ice,…
Learn more about Sand Canyon - FS 2N27
Learn more about Sand Canyon - FS 2N27
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Radford Frontline Road - FS 104
Front Line Road is in the San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake. It provides a casual meandering trail run alongside a shallow canyon formed by the 8,000-foot San Bernardino Mountain Range…
Learn more about Radford Frontline Road - FS 104
Learn more about Radford Frontline Road - FS 104
Total Miles
10
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Soggy Dry Lake to Cougar Buttes
This trail takes you from the Soggy Dry Lake in Johnson Valley to Cougar Buttes. It's a fun ride for the whole family. It's all dirt and two-track, with some sand and some rocks that…
Learn more about Soggy Dry Lake to Cougar Buttes
Learn more about Soggy Dry Lake to Cougar Buttes
Total Miles
7.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Black Mountain Road
This is an easy trail that most stock vehicles could tackle. There are some really beautiful views, and the high point is the lookout, which gives a breathtaking view of the sunset. There are 5…
Learn more about Black Mountain Road
Learn more about Black Mountain Road
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Black Mountain
This well-maintained fire road takes you up to boulder basin group campsite. On the way there, you'll see some turn-outs for rock climbing and overlanding. During the winter months, trails may be impassable due to…
Learn more about Black Mountain
Learn more about Black Mountain
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su
San Jacinto Ridge Trail (FS 5S09)
San Jacinto Ridge is a two-way trail running East to West between the Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Highway (SR 243) and Bee Canyon Road (FS 5S07) in the San Bernardino National Forest. Comprised of mostly hard-pack dirt,…
Learn more about San Jacinto Ridge Trail (FS 5S09)
Learn more about San Jacinto Ridge Trail (FS 5S09)
Total Miles
10.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Van Dusen Canyon - 3N09
Gate locked Nov 1 - May 1: The typical start of this trail begins just off Highway 38 from the South, transitioning from pavement to dirt shortly after passing through a quiet residential neighborhood. A…
Learn more about Van Dusen Canyon - 3N09
Learn more about Van Dusen Canyon - 3N09
Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Radford Truck Trail - FS 2N06
Closed until 12/31/24 per Forest Closure Order 05-12-52-24-02, Radford Fire Closure Area. FS 2N06 - Radford Truck Trail is a winding fire road in the San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake.…
Learn more about Radford Truck Trail - FS 2N06
Learn more about Radford Truck Trail - FS 2N06
Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Mill Creek - FS 2N10
Nestled within the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest, Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10) is one of Big Bear's classic connector trails -- a scenic mountain route that links many of the area's most popular off-road…
Learn more about Mill Creek - FS 2N10
Learn more about Mill Creek - FS 2N10
Total Miles
10.8
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
East Indian Canyon 4S10
This is a level 2-rated full-width road back to Highway 243. This is the fastest and safest way back up to Highway 243. The route through Bee Canyon is currently closed. 2 areas had a…
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10
Total Miles
8.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp
ATV Trails Near Joshua Tree, California
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
Learn more about Eureka Peak
Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Integratron
This trail offers a fantastic introduction to desert driving, primarily wide enough for two cars and framed by Joshua Trees. While there are a few soft sand patches to be aware of, the ride is…
Learn more about Integratron
Learn more about Integratron
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Giant Rock
To reach Giant Rock, turn off Boone Road and head across Means Lakebed. The route generally consists of smooth desert sand interspersed with small washes. Numerous intertwining trails offer choices in your path. Be mindful…
Learn more about Giant Rock
Learn more about Giant Rock
Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
BLM C3524
BLM #C3524 is a mellow, sandy road that climbs from Highway 18 up into the boulders at the NE corner of the Bighorn Wilderness boundary. It is only rated a two because of a couple…
Learn more about BLM C3524
Learn more about BLM C3524
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa
Bighorn Connector
Bighorn Connector is a well-used trail that connects the ends of adjacent BLM roads that terminate near the Bighorn Wilderness boundary to create a series of interconnected loops. It is an easy combination of sandy…
Learn more about Bighorn Connector
Learn more about Bighorn Connector
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa
BLM C3429
BLM #C3429 is a sandy road that climbs from Cholla Road in the community of Johnson Valley, CA into the boulders along to the boundary of the Bighorn Mountains Wilderness. It is part of a…
Learn more about BLM C3429
Learn more about BLM C3429
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
UTV/Side-by-Side Near Joshua Tree, California
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
Learn more about Eureka Peak
Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Integratron
This trail offers a fantastic introduction to desert driving, primarily wide enough for two cars and framed by Joshua Trees. While there are a few soft sand patches to be aware of, the ride is…
Learn more about Integratron
Learn more about Integratron
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Giant Rock
To reach Giant Rock, turn off Boone Road and head across Means Lakebed. The route generally consists of smooth desert sand interspersed with small washes. Numerous intertwining trails offer choices in your path. Be mindful…
Learn more about Giant Rock
Learn more about Giant Rock
Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
BLM C3524
BLM #C3524 is a mellow, sandy road that climbs from Highway 18 up into the boulders at the NE corner of the Bighorn Wilderness boundary. It is only rated a two because of a couple…
Learn more about BLM C3524
Learn more about BLM C3524
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa
Bighorn Connector
Bighorn Connector is a well-used trail that connects the ends of adjacent BLM roads that terminate near the Bighorn Wilderness boundary to create a series of interconnected loops. It is an easy combination of sandy…
Learn more about Bighorn Connector
Learn more about Bighorn Connector
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa
BLM C3429
BLM #C3429 is a sandy road that climbs from Cholla Road in the community of Johnson Valley, CA into the boulders along to the boundary of the Bighorn Mountains Wilderness. It is part of a…
Learn more about BLM C3429
Learn more about BLM C3429
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi