Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Madera, California

A primary, 6.4-mile Forest Service access road that transitions from graded gravel (easy, fast travel) to a rutted dirt track as it moves into the western end, which was affected by past wildfires. It is…
Learn more about Miami Mountain Road - FS 6S014

Sonny Meadow (FS 5S016) acts as a rugged "sampler platter" of Sierra road conditions, serving as a key access point into the National Forest from the west side. The trail begins with a long, slow…
Learn more about Sonny Meadow - FS 5S016

Pilot Peak - Lower (FS 5S012A) serves as the appetizer to the main Pilot Peak experience. This section is a tight and twisty affair that winds its way through a mix of oak and conifer…
Learn more about Pilot Peak - Lower - FS 5S012

Chowchilla Mountain Road (FS 5S09) is the legendary "backdoor" into Yosemite National Park that every overland explorer dreams of finding. Starting from Harris Cut Off Road, the trail begins deceptively tame as a well-graded double-track.…
Learn more about Chowchilla Mountain Road - FS 5S090

Ponderosa Fire Line - Lower (FS 6S017) is the friendly, welcoming face of a trail with a split personality. Situated below the junction with Hugh Ryan, this section behaves like a civilized forest boulevard compared…
Learn more about Ponderosa Fire Line - Lower - FS 6S017

Kamook (FS 6S041) is the breezy, open-air sibling in the Miami Mountain family. Serving as the primary east-west artery through the Miami Mountain OHV system, this 1.5-lane gravel forest road is designed for speed and…
Learn more about Kamook - FS 6S041

China Wells (FS 6S015) serves as the primary "spinal cord" of the Miami Mountain OHV system. This wide, well-graded forest service road runs north-south through the network, connecting the popular Kamook Staging Area to the…
Learn more about China Wells - FS 6S015

Ponderosa Fire Line - Upper (FS 6S017) is the rowdy, untamed sibling of the gentle lower road. While the section below Hugh Ryan is a smooth cruise, crossing that junction acts like a portal to…
Learn more about Ponderosa Fire Line - Upper - FS 6S017

Hugh Ryan (FS 6S024) is the surprisingly scenic backbone of the Miami Mountain network, acting as a wide, welcoming bridge between Highway 41 and the western slopes near Highway 49/Worman Road. This easy, graded forest…
Learn more about Hugh Ryan - FS 6S024

Pilot Cutoff (FS 6S063A) is a trail that comes with a serious warning label: "Horribly Tight." While it appears on the map as a useful connector within the Silver Knob/Miami network, in reality, it is…
Learn more about Pilot Cutoff - FS 6S063A

This is a short connector route and bypass for the nearby portion of Ten Mile Grade that passes through the private property of the adjacent Yosemite Mountain Ranch. This is a fast, single-lane dirt Forest…
Learn more about Ten Mile Spur - FS 5S062

This sandy and dusty trail winds through canyon terrain, dropping 1,600 feet and climbing just over 400 feet across just over 5 miles of diverse landscape. Starting at the Stairway Trail and Sweetwater Trail junction…
Learn more about Feliciana Mountain Road - FS 4S012

This is a fast, fun, single-lane connector road that links the 10 Mile Spur to Miami Mountain Road (6S014). The route is predominantly hard-packed dirt under a dense canopy of pine and cedar. Driving at…
Learn more about Wolf Leap - FS 6S009

Annex Sale (FS 7S062Y) is a short, sweet, and incredibly useful out-and-back trail for anyone looking to escape the crowds near Bass Lake. Branching off the paved Highland Drive, this easy dirt two-track climbs gently…
Learn more about Annex Sale - FS 7S062Y

Starting from Highway 140, this rugged track drops nearly 1,500 feet and climbs less than 300 feet in under 4 miles before connecting with Ponderosa Way at the top. The trail averages 1 to 1.5…
Learn more about Buffalo Gulch Road

This is a scenic, 9.5-mile single-lane dirt road that rapidly gains elevation as it climbs through the forest impacted by the 2022 Oak Wildfire. The route offers dramatic, expansive views due to the lack of…
Learn more about Footman Ridge - FS 5S025

This is a historically significant, long single-lane dirt road that is generally easy (Rated 1) but is NOT a through route due to closures. The surface is a mix of packed dirt, embedded rock, and…
Learn more about Ten Mile Grade - FS 4S004

This trail is a challenging off-road adventure known for its steep inclines, deep ruts, and rugged terrain. The path climbs sharply from the base, demanding both driver skill and a well-equipped 4x4 vehicle. Traction becomes…
Learn more about The Stairway

West Malum Ridge (FS 7S075) is a relaxed, scenic cruiser that invites you to roll down the windows and breathe in the Sierra air. This easy dirt road serves primarily as an access route to…
Learn more about West Malum Ridge - FS 7S075

This gravel road starts behind the Briceburg Visitor Center, across the bridge, and follows the Merced River for its entire length, providing continuous water views and sounds throughout the journey. The track maintains a width…
Learn more about Briceburg Road - Merced River

This is an easy, scenic, and well-maintained dirt/gravel road that serves as a secondary access point from Highway 41 into the historic area of Sugar Pine. The route runs through a beautiful mid-elevation forest, parallels…
Learn more about Lower Speckerman Fire - FS 5S017

Central Camp (FS 6S042) is the bustling, dusty artery of the Bass Lake high country. This wide two-lane dirt road serves as a critical link, climbing steadily from Malum Ridge Road on the east side…
Learn more about Central Camp - FS 6S042

This is a short, easy, single-lane connector road that provides direct access from Highway 41 (near the Westfall Ranger Station) to the Lower Speckerman Fire Road (FS 5S017). The road surface is dry, packed dirt…
Learn more about Westfall Tie - FS 5S017X

Vista Dome (FS 6S088) is the kind of forest road that makes you want to roll down the windows and cruise. Unlike its rocky neighbors, this smooth, fast dirt and gravel road is a relaxing…
Learn more about Vista Dome - FS 6S088

McCleod Flat (5S007Z) might be short on mileage, but it is high on utility, acting as the dusty red carpet to a playground of Sierra adventures. This quick, quarter-mile spur is the definition of "short…
Learn more about McLeod Flat - FS 5S007Z

This trail climbs over 900 feet and drops almost 800 feet across just under 6 miles, creating a challenging route with significant elevation changes throughout the journey. The track winds up and down hills along…
Learn more about Ferguson Ridge - FS 3S004

Buffalo Gulch begins from Feliciana Mountain Road and winds for nearly 2 miles along a narrow shelf road. The track is one vehicle wide, composed of hard-packed sand, and sees a gentle gain of 120…
Learn more about Buffalo Gulch - FS 4S11

Sweetwater Ridge climbs almost 500 feet and drops almost 800 feet over just 3.6 miles, though this 7-mile out-and-back trail starts at Feliciana Mountain Road. The trail begins as a gravel surface and transitions to…
Learn more about Sweetwater Ridge - FS 3S012

Burma Grade climbs almost 1,400 feet in 3 miles. The trail starts at Bull Creek Road and ends at Bull Creek Road South. To access it, take Briceburg Road behind the Briceburg Visitor Center and…
Learn more about Burma Grade Road

This is an unmaintained, overgrown dirt road through a severely burned and recovering forest. The route is defined by deep ruts, exposed rocks, and pinstriping brush. This road serves as a remote access or connector…
Learn more about Sugar Pine - FS 6S090