Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Mecca, California

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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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

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…
Learn more about Mecca Orocopia Jeep Trail

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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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…
Learn more about Berdoo Canyon

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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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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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…
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South Fork Palm Wash is an 8.8-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. South Fork Palm Wash extends from the Santa Rosa Mountains and flows eastward through the Truckhaven…
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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

Truckhaven Trail is a 2.6-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 located within the California Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The trail is restricted to street-legal vehicles. Truckhaven Trail trailhead is located on Highway S22 across…
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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 Tectonic Gorge Trail

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 Tierra del Sol

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 Gettysburg Trail

This side spur follows the North Fork Arroyo Salada. It leaves the Truckhaven Trail and then reconnects further down the trail. It's a beautiful, less traveled side trail--mostly sandy wash with some rocky obstacles to…
Learn more about Truckhaven Trail Side Loop

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 North Fork Arroyo Salado

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 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

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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Bradshaw's Trail is roughly a 70-mile-long trail stretching from Blythe, CA, to the eastern side of the Salton Sea. The trail runs east to west although it can be traveled from either end, and goes…
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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…
Learn more about Ella Wash

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

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 Cross Over Trail

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

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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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…
Learn more about Short Wash

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…
Learn more about Geology Tour Road

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 Tule Wash

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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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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