Beginner Off-Road Trails Near La Quinta, California

Santa Rosa Truck Trail is an out-and-back well-maintained fire road that climbs to over 8000ft. The lower parts are smooth and wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other. As it rises in elevation…
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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…
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Rockhouse Canyon Road is a 19.8-mile out-and-back trail rated 3 of 10 within the California Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The trail is restricted to street-legal vehicles. The trail starts at the end of the Clark…
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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…
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Thermal Canyon Road can be accessed from the Frontage Road off-ramp off of I-10, either from the East or West. Stop at the BLM kiosk for the Pinkham Canyon Trail; then continue on the California…
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This 10-plus-mile out-and-back trail is located in Anza Borrego State Park and is part of the wildflowers tour, taking you into Coyote Canyon. Only highway legal vehicles are allowed on this route. The surface is…
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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…
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This trail is located in Anza Borrego State Park and features a sand and some gravel surface that's two vehicles wide, providing comfortable navigation. The route is surrounded by mountain views in all directions as…
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This hidden gem is part of Anza Borrego Desert State Tark. From the Boreggo Salton Seaway turn into Rockhouse Canyon Road. The sign at the intersection says "no exit" but the road is long and…
Learn more about Clark Dry Lake

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

This very wide, very sandy wash actually starts on the north side of Highway 22, though parts of it can be closed after storms. On the south side, the trail travels 4 miles to reach…
Learn more about Fonts Point Wash

This very large and wide sandy wash is located within Anza Borrego State Park and is restricted to highway legal vehicles only. The trail continues on the north side of Highway 22, but was closed…
Learn more about Inspiration Wash Road

Uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks and sand. Muddy conditions should be expected during the rainy season. The trail is primarily one vehicle wide with some portions wide enough for passing oncoming traffic. Steep…
Learn more about 6S13 - Thomas Mountain Road

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…
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Hidden in the Mecca Hills just South of Joshua Tree National Park is a fun little trail that winds you through tight canyon washes surrounded by high vertical cliffs of up to 40 feet. The…
Learn more about Little Box Canyon Meccacopia Loop

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…
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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…
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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…
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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

This one-vehicle-wide trail starts at the end of Inspiration Wash and cuts and winds through a very sandy wash with lots of mud walls lining the trail throughout. You will have to cut in and…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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This trail starts just off Dump Wash Trail and runs through a fairly wide wash, though the actual track is only 1 to 1.5 vehicles wide. The route is lined with mud walls, many of…
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This trail starts on Short Wash and takes you to a vista point called Vista del Malpais. Although not as dramatic as Fonts Point, it is a smaller yet beautiful viewpoint offering panoramic views of…
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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…
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Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood is a trail that scales Rouse Ridge/Thomas Mountain using Cottonwood (6S18) and Thomas Mountain Rd (6S13). This trail offers stunning views in all directions as you ascend and descend the mountain.…
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Fault Wash is a 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 the ABDSP…
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