Beginner Off-Road Trails Near McArthur, California

Explore All Beginner Trails Near McArthur, California

Butte Lake

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…
Learn more about Butte Lake
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Jack's Backbone

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
Total Miles
10.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Buffalo Chips

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
Total Miles
37.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Crater Lake

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
Total Miles
18.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Willow Lake Road 29N14

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
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

McCloud River 38N53

While the trail is an easy dirt road the real story is the river. The Lower McCloud River flows approximately 12 miles from Lake McCloud into Lake Shasta. It can have an emerald green color,…
Learn more about McCloud River 38N53
Total Miles
6.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

A1

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…
Learn more about A1
Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Mount Lively South Fork Mountain Road

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
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su / Fa

Dill Scenic Trail

The Dill Scenic Trail is an out and back at Shasta National Forest in California. There are great views of Mount Shasta as well as the surrounding mountains. This trail is not difficult by any…
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Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Mammoth Mountain Trail 1

This is a wide-open easy trail from the Chappie staging area, past Mammoth Mountain, to a lunch spot. It's easy for all riding abilities, with a ton of overlooks along the way. During the spring,…
Learn more about Mammoth Mountain Trail 1
Total Miles
15.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su

Taylor Lake/Lucky S Mine/Kettle Rock Lookout Loop

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
Total Miles
18
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Happy Valley Ridgeline

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
Total Miles
32.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Warner Mountains

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…
Learn more about Warner Mountains
Total Miles
22.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Sly Creek Trail

This trail is rated as a Level 1 difficulty. It offers a relatively easy experience, characterized by a flat, well-maintained road predominantly composed of gravel and dirt. However, it should be noted that during winter,…
Learn more about Sly Creek Trail
Total Miles
15.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Dooley Creek to Black Mountain Lookout

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
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bonta Creek - NF23N33

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
Total Miles
7.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bonta Ridge - NF23N05Y

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
Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Deer Lake, Gold Valley

Trail begins with an easy climb to a high scenic ridge above beautiful Deer Lake. The route then descends into rugged Gold Valley and heads north past mines and lakes. To modify the trip, you…
Learn more about Deer Lake, Gold Valley
Total Miles
23.8
Tech Rating
2 Moderate
Best Time
Su

Sugarpine - NF22N55

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
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Beckwourth - NF23N03

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
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Beckwourth Tie - NF23N03Y

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
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Beckwourth Tie Spur - NF23N03YB

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
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Sugarpine Spur A - NF22N55A

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
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Jackrabbit Run

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…
Learn more about Jackrabbit Run
Total Miles
10.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Fort Sage

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
Total Miles
11.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Dry Valley Rim

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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Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Parker Canyon

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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Total Miles
13.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Siskiyou Pass

This is segment one of the SW Oregon Overland Adventure Loop. This segment is an easy gravel road between the Mount Ashland Ski Resort and the historic McKee Covered Bridge. It passes by two fire…
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Total Miles
29.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Crofts Follie Trail

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
Total Miles
6.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Wagner & Siskiyou

This is a great run from Wagner Creek through parts of Siskiyou Pass to Maple Dell Gap. From Maple Dell Gap you can continue on to Squaw Lake or head north and reconnect with Siskiyou…
Learn more about Wagner & Siskiyou
Total Miles
37
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

ATV Trails Near McArthur, California

Jack's Backbone

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
Total Miles
10.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Buffalo Chips

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
Total Miles
37.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Crater Lake

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
Total Miles
18.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Willow Lake Road 29N14

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
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

A1

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…
Learn more about A1
Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Mount Lively South Fork Mountain Road

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
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su / Fa

UTV/Side-by-Side Near McArthur, California

Jack's Backbone

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
Total Miles
10.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Buffalo Chips

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
Total Miles
37.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Crater Lake

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
Total Miles
18.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Willow Lake Road 29N14

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
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

A1

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…
Learn more about A1
Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Mount Lively South Fork Mountain Road

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
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su / Fa