Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Mentone, California

Starting in Highland, 1n16 is a fairly easy dirt road with some parts rutted out, but any 4x4 can make it through the trail easily. Many parts of the trail are single-vehicle wide, but there are plenty of places to pass along the way. Coming from Highland, the trail ends on 1n16, giving you the choi...
Learn more about Alder Creek Road - FSR 1n16

The Thomas Hunting Grounds Trail (1N12), often also referred to as the Morton Peak Trail, is an easy dirt road that takes you from the chaparral and shrubs of Mill Creek to the oaks and pines of the San Bernardino National Forest before dropping you in the town of Angelus Oaks. The Thomas Hunting Gr...
Learn more about Thomas Hunting Grounds

A long overland trail with plenty of recreational activities such as site-specific shooting areas, yellow post campsites and creek crossings. This is a well-maintained dirt road with some minor ruts, rocks and shallow creek crossings. It makes for a great day in the mountains South of Big Bear near ...
Learn more about 1N09 City Creek Trail

Starting at the edge of the community of Green Valley Lake, this western approach of FS 3N16 offers a lush, alpine experience markedly different from the eastern desert-transition terrain. The trail winds through dense stands of Jeffrey pine, white fir, and oak, providing a shaded and scenic drive t...
Learn more about Holcomb Valley Road (West) - FS 3N16

This is a semi-maintained trail. It is primarily a route through chaparral country with dense Manzanita bushes and evidence of the past Line Fire, which required significant brush clearing. The trail has varying surface conditions with some loose gravel. It requires a high-clearance vehicle and poss...
Learn more about Siberia Creek - FS 2N97

Green Valley Bypass (2N54) is a short but scenic forest road that links 3N16 (Holcomb Valley Road) with 2N13 (Snow Slide Road) in the San Bernardino National Forest. At just under 2 miles long, it’s often used as a quick dirt connector, but it’s more than just a shortcut — the trail offers a quiet d...
Learn more about Green Valley Bypass - FS 2N54

Clarks Grade is an off-road trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. Driving this trail is a journey back to the origins of the Big Bear Lake area since this was one of the first roads into Big Bear. It is a narrow shelf road for most of the way, with few spots to pass. The trail starts down at ...
Learn more about Clark's Grade - FS 1N54

This trail is an easy dirt road trail that gives access to a few Forest Service cabins, but like any trail, if it has rained recently, it can have a few deep puddles. While on the trail, you should stay on the track to not end up in someone's driveway. Multiple water crossings are easy and not deep....
Learn more about Hill Ranch

Santa Ana Divide (FS 2N11) is a scenic forest ridgeline route just outside Big Bear Lake within the San Bernardino National Forest. The trail offers a relaxed dirt drive through tall pines with occasional openings that reveal surrounding mountain views. The route is mostly smooth and easy to follow,...
Learn more about Santa Ana Divide - FS 2N11

2N40 Cloudland is a short but beautiful trail with great views of San Bernardino and the mountains beyond. It is doable in 2WD during dry conditions, but 4WD may be required when wet. Closures can occur during winter months for safety reasons. This is a great starter trail with plenty of changing te...
Learn more about 2N40 Cloudland Truck Trail

Enter the forest on 2N28Y from the residential neighborhood. The road begins as a street-legal-only vehicle dirt road, but will convert to a green-sticker OHV road where it crosses trail 3W13. The roadbed is hard dirt when dry, but it will become slippery with the clay when wet. You will first desce...
Learn more about Banff OHV Trail - 2N28Y

Rouse Ranch is an easy green-rated trail following a mellow dirt road with gentle, winding turns. Riders are treated to expansive views of rolling green hills and relaxed terrain that make this route a good place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Expect mostly smooth travel with occasional patches...
Learn more about Rouse Ranch

Kidd Creek - FS 2N86 is a short, scenic forest route winding through dense pine stands in the Big Bear backcountry just south of Big Bear Lake and near Bluff Lake. The trail offers a relaxed drive overall, with a mix of smooth dirt, light rock, and a few uneven sections that keep it interesting. Alo...
Learn more about Kidd Creek - FS 2N86

Closed until 12/31/24 per Forest Closure Order 05-12-52-24-02, Radford Fire Closure Area. FS 2N06 - Radford Truck Trail is a winding fire road in the San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake. Radford Truck Trail runs from the current Converse Station north up the Converse Creek dr...
Learn more about Radford Truck Trail - FS 2N06

Devils Hole is an easy, flowy hardpack dirt trail with winding turns and opportunities for natural wall rides. Riders can expect a smooth route with a few shallow puddles, occasionally reaching ankle depth, but no major obstacles. Wildlife is common along the trail, so keep an eye out for snakes and...
Learn more about Devils Hole - FS 3N34D

Running along the southern ridgeline above Big Bear Lake, Camp Osito Road (FS 2N17) is part of the broader Skyline Drive trail system, offering some of the most panoramic views in the San Bernardino National Forest. It connects directly with Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10) to the west and Knickerbocker Ro...
Learn more about Camp Osito - FS 2N17

Crab Flats is a smooth, hardpack dirt road with flowing terrain and minimal technical difficulty. Riders can expect a few shallow water crossings, occasionally reaching shin depth, but otherwise easy travel throughout the route. Most high-clearance vehicles can navigate this trail, with 2WD typicall...
Learn more about Crab Flats

Butler Peak is a beautiful trail that can be completed in about 1 hour and is a minimal difficulty trail. The trail itself is a well-traveled dirt trail that winds its way up the mountain to a fire watchtower. The trail can get narrow in spots, but most places along the way will have places to pass ...
Learn more about Butler Peak Fire Lookout - 2N13B

Running through the San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake, Knickerbocker Road (FS 2N08) is a scenic, easy-going forest route that follows Knickerbocker Creek up the slopes toward the high ridges that connect with Mill Creek Road (FS 2N10). At about 3.7 miles in length, this dirt...
Learn more about Knickerbocker - FS 2N08

This trail is mainly dirt with shallow creek crossings. After rainfall or snow, rocks and downed trees may be potential obstacles as are deep ruts. This trail can be very easy during dry seasons as it is maintained and evened every so often. During wet or snow seasons, or between maintenance, this t...
Learn more about 4000 Foot Road

Green Valley Bypass (2N54) is a short but scenic forest road that links 3N16 (Holcomb Valley Road) with 2N13 (Snow Slide Road) in the San Bernardino National Forest. At just under 2 miles long, it’s often used as a quick dirt connector, but it’s more than just a shortcut — the trail offers a quiet d...
Learn more about Green Valley Bypass - FS 2N54

Clarks Grade is an off-road trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. Driving this trail is a journey back to the origins of the Big Bear Lake area since this was one of the first roads into Big Bear. It is a narrow shelf road for most of the way, with few spots to pass. The trail starts down at ...
Learn more about Clark's Grade - FS 1N54

Santa Ana Divide (FS 2N11) is a scenic forest ridgeline route just outside Big Bear Lake within the San Bernardino National Forest. The trail offers a relaxed dirt drive through tall pines with occasional openings that reveal surrounding mountain views. The route is mostly smooth and easy to follow,...
Learn more about Santa Ana Divide - FS 2N11

Rouse Ranch is an easy green-rated trail following a mellow dirt road with gentle, winding turns. Riders are treated to expansive views of rolling green hills and relaxed terrain that make this route a good place to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Expect mostly smooth travel with occasional patches...
Learn more about Rouse Ranch

This is a semi-maintained trail. It is primarily a route through chaparral country with dense Manzanita bushes and evidence of the past Line Fire, which required significant brush clearing. The trail has varying surface conditions with some loose gravel. It requires a high-clearance vehicle and poss...
Learn more about Siberia Creek - FS 2N97

Green Valley Bypass (2N54) is a short but scenic forest road that links 3N16 (Holcomb Valley Road) with 2N13 (Snow Slide Road) in the San Bernardino National Forest. At just under 2 miles long, it’s often used as a quick dirt connector, but it’s more than just a shortcut — the trail offers a quiet d...
Learn more about Green Valley Bypass - FS 2N54

Clarks Grade is an off-road trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. Driving this trail is a journey back to the origins of the Big Bear Lake area since this was one of the first roads into Big Bear. It is a narrow shelf road for most of the way, with few spots to pass. The trail starts down at ...
Learn more about Clark's Grade - FS 1N54

Santa Ana Divide (FS 2N11) is a scenic forest ridgeline route just outside Big Bear Lake within the San Bernardino National Forest. The trail offers a relaxed dirt drive through tall pines with occasional openings that reveal surrounding mountain views. The route is mostly smooth and easy to follow,...
Learn more about Santa Ana Divide - FS 2N11