Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Madeline, California

This trail begins just off Highway 395 south of the village of Likely, starting on BLM land before transitioning in and out of Modoc National Forest. The first stretch is a recently graded dirt road…
Learn more about Mount Lively South Fork Mountain Road

This is how you will get from Spaulding Tract out to county road A1, also known as Eagle Lake Road. The route is dusty and a bit rocky, but not hard. Trees will be down…
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The trail is wide with nice gravel. The entire route has road signs, so you can't really get lost. Up by the actual lake, the gravel road gets steep, but some pavement has been put…
Learn more about Crater Lake

This area is part of Modoc National Forest. There are several obsidian collection areas that require a permit that can be obtained at the Alturas Forest Service building. Once you get into the range, the…
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This route takes you through mostly wide gravel roads. There is a lot of moon dust/thick powder near the town of Westwood. You will be traveling through one of the largest burn scars in California,…
Learn more about Buffalo Chips

Perched atop the Smoke Creek Mountains, Jackrabbit Run is an unforgettable journey across the mountain's summit and back down to the valley floor, reconnecting with the main Surprise Valley Road. This trail begins with a…
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Starting from the valley floor, Dry Valley Rim offers an easy and gradual 650-foot elevation climb, leading you to the top of the Smoke Creek Mountain Range and into the Dry Valley OHV area. This…
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This trail begins at Highway 44, travels through Lassen National Forest into Lassen Volcanic National Park, and concludes at Butte Lake. The trail is not technical, but can be eroded and present long stretches of…
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Parker Canyon to Mission Wells Staging Area showcases a breathtaking high-desert ride. This route features soft dirt roads--without deep sand--guiding you through a scenic high mountain bowl, past grazing areas, and alongside the Slick Reservoir.…
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The trail has smooth flowing sections, loose, rocky climbs, and hardpacked rocky roads with seasonal low water crossings. The road up to the lookout is steep with loose rock. Leading up to and past Taylor…
Learn more about Taylor Lake/Lucky S Mine/Kettle Rock Lookout Loop

Very easy route given type of vehicle used. While most of it is good place for a beginner to start learning how to use a SXS, be careful on the speed as there are blind…
Learn more about Dooley Creek to Black Mountain Lookout

The route winds through rolling hills dotted with exposed rock formations and washes, creating a dynamic and challenging landscape. Along the way, adventurers will encounter technical segments featuring loose rock, natural ledges, and the occasional…
Learn more about Little High Rock to Steven's Camp Back Door

This is an out-of-the-way off-road area that is not well known to the general public, but it has marked trails spanning 28,598 acres, with newer facilities and plenty of privacy. Most of the trails are…
Learn more about Fort Sage

Mix of fire roads and old logging roads. The area has been scorched by fire recently. There are a lot of downed trees that cross the trail, be prepared with a chain saw or chain/rope.…
Learn more about Happy Valley Ridgeline

Willow Lake Road takes you to Willow Lake Campground where there are opportunities for fishing, hiking, hot springs, geysers and wildlife viewing. The road in is doable in any high clearance vehicle. When approaching the…
Learn more about Willow Lake Road 29N14

Little High Rock Canyon is a mix of washboard and two-track trail that travels diagonally across to High Rock Canyon and Soldier's Meadow. This trail is a better choice for those wanting a more exciting…
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Travel through Red Rock Canyon, running along the border of California and cutting back over to Antelope Valley using a popular off-road connector. Blaze across Antelope Valley and visit the Moon Rocks area, or continue…
Learn more about Wildhorse Track

From Reno, take Pyramid Highway north for about 17 miles and turn left onto Winnemucca Ranch Road. Follow Winnemucca Ranch Road to a large parking/staging area to your left (Moon Rocks Recreation Area). This parking…
Learn more about Jumbo Ranch Run

This is a single-track dirt trail with consistent switchbacks, shelf sections, and a constant climb up from the valley below. Easily accessible from CA 395, high clearance vehicles with 4x4 are recommended on this route.…
Learn more about Crofts Follie Trail

This is a fun drive up through the mountains that will require 4x4 high clearance. However, it does not require lockers. Bring a lunch and enjoy the backcountry, with some great views of valleys and…
Learn more about Jack's Backbone

This rugged "Jeep Trail" cuts between the Calico Mountain Wilderness and the Black Rock Lake Wilderness in northeast Nevada. It connects Soldier Meadow Road to Black and Smokey Canyons before ultimately terminating at the High…
Learn more about Calico Mountain Jeep Trail

Bonta Ridge is an occasionally maintained gravel Forest Service road that climbs from Bonta Creek Road above the CA-70 highway up to Penman Saddle and points beyond in this section of the Plumas National Forest.…
Learn more about Bonta Ridge - NF23N05Y

This route explores the Black Rock Playa, and then exits to the north and connects to the High Rock Canyon route to the west, or the Summit Lake Reservation route that continues north into Oregon.…
Learn more about Black Rock Playa

Dirt Forest Service Road accesses a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start at…
Learn more about Beckwourth Tie - NF23N03Y

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start…
Learn more about Beckwourth Tie Spur - NF23N03YB

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This is one of the primary routes into this section of the forest from town. These roads are…
Learn more about Beckwourth - NF23N03

Graded Forest Service road above the CA-70 highway in Graeagle, California that accesses Bonta Ridge, Penman Saddle, and other points to the North in the Plumas National Forest. There is a great brewery - the…
Learn more about Bonta Creek - NF23N33

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This looks to be the primary route accessing the summit from town. The road is wider and looks…
Learn more about Sugarpine - NF22N55

Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This spur accesses the communications tower equipment on private property at the summit of Beckwourth Peak. There is…
Learn more about Sugarpine Spur A - NF22N55A

This route takes you from the Black Rock Desert playa through the Kamma Mountain Range and the Rye Patch Reservoir. Along this route, you will find hot springs, rock-hounding spots, and old placer mines. The…
Learn more about Kamma Mountains