Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Mammoth Lakes, California

Beginning off Old Mammoth Road across from the Mammoth Creek Park and Ice Rink, this gravel and rock trail quickly immerses you in the natural beauty of the Eastern Sierra backcountry. Winding through dense stands of manzanita and tall pine, the route parallels Mammoth Creek, offering a tranquil amb...
Learn more about Mammoth Creek Road - FS 3S09

This hard-packed dirt and gravel road begins just outside Sherwin Creek Campground. The first part is surrounded by towering pine trees, offering a scenic drive through the forested lower elevations of the Eastern Sierra. The trail is fairly wide—about 2.5 vehicles across—and generally well-graded, ...
Learn more about Sherwin Creek Road - FS 4S08

FS 27E206 begins at the end of 3S35G and offers a short, fun, flowing singletrack ride through the forest. There are no significant obstacles, making it an easygoing addition to a longer outing. Connect it with other nearby singletracks to extend your ride. The trail is bidirectional, so watch for o...
Learn more about FS 27E206

This sand and pumice trail, marked by orange diamonds with and without the letter "C," winds through a beautiful pine forest with stunning peaks of the Eastern Sierra and occasional glimpses of Mammoth Mountain. The trail varies between about 1 and 1 1/2 vehicle widths wide and features sections of ...
Learn more about Dry Creek Flats Upper - FS3S89

This sand trail is a fairly easy trail. It is a spur trail from various other trails. It has a couple of spots with off-camber sections. The trail is narrower in a few spots and lined with trees. From the water tower, you can hike up to the top of the knolls that overlook the town of Mammoth Lakes.
Learn more about 3S35J Water Tower Loop

FS 27E205 is a fun, flowing, bi-directional singletrack through shaded pine forest on loose pumice and sand. Rolling turns and whoops lead to a sandy hill climb, where buried rocks near the top add a technical challenge. Carrying momentum and choosing a good line help on the climb, especially in the...
Learn more about FS 27E205

This short spur trail takes you to the top of Mammoth Knolls (8776 ft). It offers almost 360-degree views of various peaks and the town of Mammoth Lakes. It is relatively sandy with a few rocks. It can be snow-covered until the early springtime so plan accordingly.
Learn more about Mammoth Knolls Summit and Viewpoint

This short out-and-back trail brings you into a pine tree-covered area and a small dispersed campsite. It does offer some coverage from wind. There can be snow covering this road in the early spring after big winters. It offers nice views of Mammoth Mountain. Please pack out what you bring.
Learn more about Mammoth Knolls 3S4C

This wide, well-used trail serves as a convenient and scenic connector between Highway 203 (Main Street) and Highway 395, starting just past Shady Rest Park on the unpaved section of the Sawmill Cutoff. Marked by orange diamonds with the letter “A”, this is one of the most heavily trafficked trails ...
Learn more about Sawmill Cutoff FS 3S08

This is a mile-long Mammoth View cliff trail. It offers views of Mammoth Mountain as well as the picturesque town of Mammoth Lakes. It is mostly sandy with some rocky sections. There are a few very narrow sections that could add some "Sierra Pinstripes" to your vehicle. Also, there are a few overhan...
Learn more about Mammoth View 3S34

FS 27E207 is a personal favorite in the Mammoth trail system. It winds through dense pine forest on loose volcanic pumice, combining rolling elevation changes with whoops, small jumps, and occasional embedded rocks. A log crossing under 12 inches provides a manageable technical feature along the way...
Learn more about FS 27E207

FS 27E208 is a short, flowy, bi-directional singletrack in the Mammoth area with classic pumice riding. The narrow trail winds through wooded terrain with plenty of tight turns, rewarding smooth riding and precise line choices. Small rock obstacles and minor wood obstacles add variety without breaki...
Learn more about FS 27E208

This scenic and mellow trail begins just off Highway 203 and winds through a beautiful section of the Inyo National Forest. Running parallel to the Ormat geothermal pipeline and newly installed power lines, the route offers a peaceful drive through old-growth pine trees and open meadows. The trail s...
Learn more about Mammoth Knolls Loop FS 3S123

Manzanita Spur FS3S35A is a gentle, scenic trail that winds through a wide, open section of forest just outside Mammoth. Surrounded by gradually rising hills on both sides, the trail offers expansive views of pine trees, brushy meadows, and distant glimpses of the Eastern Sierra. Its openness makes ...
Learn more about Manzanita Spur FS3S35A

FS 27E208C is a short, fun singletrack through the pines. The narrow trail winds over loose pumice with flowing turns and a few small rollers. It is a great addition to a longer ride on the nearby trails. Watch for soft spots and scattered roots as you make your way through the forest.
Learn more about FS 27E208C

This is a very scenic trail that brings you through the Inyo National Forest. The trail will give you some beautiful views overlooking the Mammoth Basin. When starting from the South, it starts off in a wide-open area but quickly narrows as you climb into the trees. High clearance is not required by...
Learn more about Mammoth Basin Overlook Trail 3S37

This trail is a relatively easy trail. It is mostly sandy with a few rocky sections to navigate. There are a few fallen trees that you can go around. The area is full of pine trees, sagebrush, and manzanita plants. If you are lucky you may see deer and some bears.
Learn more about Manzanita Slope Loop

Starting just north of Mammoth Mountain Resort’s Main Lodge on Highway 203, this trail is a rugged adventure through sandy pumice and dusty terrain. The path winds beneath towering pines and crosses under the iconic Mammoth Mountain Via Ferrata. The trail drops over 360 in just 1.4 miles. The trail ...
Learn more about FS3S113

FS 3S108C is a wider forest trail that the U.S. Forest Service designates for ATVs, making it more accessible to them than the nearby narrow singletracks. Just past the second corner, a rock garden mixes deep pumice with rocks buried beneath the surface, creating the trail’s main challenge. Beyond i...
Learn more about FS 3S108C

FS 27E208A winds through the forest on a narrow dirt trail with tight trees and a couple of small log crossings. There are no major obstacles, but give yourself room to steer between the trees. Midway through, stay right to continue on 27E208A; the left turn leads off this trail. The trail is bi-dir...
Learn more about FS 27E208A

Beginning off Old Mammoth Road across from the Mammoth Creek Park and Ice Rink, this gravel and rock trail quickly immerses you in the natural beauty of the Eastern Sierra backcountry. Winding through dense stands of manzanita and tall pine, the route parallels Mammoth Creek, offering a tranquil amb...
Learn more about Mammoth Creek Road - FS 3S09

This hard-packed dirt and gravel road begins just outside Sherwin Creek Campground. The first part is surrounded by towering pine trees, offering a scenic drive through the forested lower elevations of the Eastern Sierra. The trail is fairly wide—about 2.5 vehicles across—and generally well-graded, ...
Learn more about Sherwin Creek Road - FS 4S08

This sand and pumice trail, marked by orange diamonds with and without the letter "C," winds through a beautiful pine forest with stunning peaks of the Eastern Sierra and occasional glimpses of Mammoth Mountain. The trail varies between about 1 and 1 1/2 vehicle widths wide and features sections of ...
Learn more about Dry Creek Flats Upper - FS3S89

This wide, well-used trail serves as a convenient and scenic connector between Highway 203 (Main Street) and Highway 395, starting just past Shady Rest Park on the unpaved section of the Sawmill Cutoff. Marked by orange diamonds with the letter “A”, this is one of the most heavily trafficked trails ...
Learn more about Sawmill Cutoff FS 3S08

Beginning off Old Mammoth Road across from the Mammoth Creek Park and Ice Rink, this gravel and rock trail quickly immerses you in the natural beauty of the Eastern Sierra backcountry. Winding through dense stands of manzanita and tall pine, the route parallels Mammoth Creek, offering a tranquil amb...
Learn more about Mammoth Creek Road - FS 3S09

This hard-packed dirt and gravel road begins just outside Sherwin Creek Campground. The first part is surrounded by towering pine trees, offering a scenic drive through the forested lower elevations of the Eastern Sierra. The trail is fairly wide—about 2.5 vehicles across—and generally well-graded, ...
Learn more about Sherwin Creek Road - FS 4S08

This sand and pumice trail, marked by orange diamonds with and without the letter "C," winds through a beautiful pine forest with stunning peaks of the Eastern Sierra and occasional glimpses of Mammoth Mountain. The trail varies between about 1 and 1 1/2 vehicle widths wide and features sections of ...
Learn more about Dry Creek Flats Upper - FS3S89

This wide, well-used trail serves as a convenient and scenic connector between Highway 203 (Main Street) and Highway 395, starting just past Shady Rest Park on the unpaved section of the Sawmill Cutoff. Marked by orange diamonds with the letter “A”, this is one of the most heavily trafficked trails ...
Learn more about Sawmill Cutoff FS 3S08