Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Murrieta, California

5S01 Indian Truck Trail is a 7-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 located within the Cleveland National Forest, Trabuco Ranger District. Indian Truck Trail ascends 2,500 feet over the 7-mile drive from the Temescal Canyon to the North Main Divide. This is a limited access trail restricted to st...
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Nate Harrison Grade is a dirt backroad into Palomar Mountain State Park. This trail leads from typical Southern California scrubland scenery up to lush forests and mountain views. You'll encounter loose rocky areas and several deep ruts throughout the route. The trail is primarily non-technical, wit...
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8S05 is a well-maintained service road, but you can expect large rocks, ruts, and very steep drop-offs throughout. The weather could have a significant impact on the road. Muddy conditions are likely; one should ensure their vehicle is properly equipped and use caution. This drive is great for a loc...
Learn more about 8S05 - North Palomar Mountain Road

Tucked amidst the hustle and bustle of Southern California's heavily-populated coast is a slice of heaven called the Cleveland National Forest. This mountainous region is undeveloped, save for a few great trails connecting world-class views to cozy campgrounds. The North Main Divide Road enters the ...
Learn more about North Main Divide Road

The Main Divide is composed of 3 sections, all of which are easy going trails that can be done with any high clearance 4x4 or a low clearance AWD vehicle with care. This trail offers some of the most amazing views of the Temescal Valley below and Los Angeles beyond. On a clear day you can see all th...
Learn more about 3S04 Main Divide to Santiago Peak

Maple Springs road offers a fun, relatively easy route with scenic views of the Cleveland National Forest. Vehicles should have some ground clearance. At the end of the trail is an elevated patch of asphalt that appears to be a helicopter pad. The trail is shared with dirt bikes, hikers and riders o...
Learn more about Maple Spring Road

Scenic trail from the 15 Freeway to Santiago Peak. The dirt road is hard-packed and easy to navigate, but does have a few sections with sharp rocks and a few ruts. The road has multiple stop locations for great views towards Riverside. This area is also popular with dirt bikes and hikers.
Learn more about FS 4S03

Rouse Hill Road is for street-legal vehicles only; no green stickers or OHV vehicles. Full-size vehicles are at home here, as the trail is a single track with plenty of room. The beginning of this end of the trail winds through the eastern side of Washburn Ranch which is a large grapefruit grower. T...
Learn more about Rouse Hill Road

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon

The Palomar Divide is an easy drive with beautiful views. It is a single lane with pull-offs throughout. The majority of the trail is dirt, however, it has some old paved sections in the lower elevation portion. During the rain or snow seasons, one can expect slick conditions and should proceed with...
Learn more about Palomar Divide (9S07)

5S06 Idyllwild Control is a 6-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 located within the San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto Ranger District. 5S06 climbs from Highway 74 nearly 3,000 feet, ending at the intersection with Apple Drive in Idyllwild. The road is open to highway-legal vehicles on...
Learn more about 5S06 Idyllwild Control

Beautiful views of the valley below and mountains above. There are lots of switchbacks and about 600 feet of elevation gain in just a few miles of driving. The second half of the trail was closed after Hurricane Hillary, but it does connect to Juan Diego Flats to get you back out to civilization. Th...
Learn more about Red Mountain OHV Trail

This is a level 2-rated full-width road back to Highway 243. This is the fastest and safest way back up to Highway 243. The route through Bee Canyon is currently closed. 2 areas had a boulder roll off the hill into the road. Even an H1 Hummer can make it around both of them, so they won't stop you s...
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10

Angelus Hill is an alternative route branching off 4S06 Indian Canyon, featuring mellow terrain and scenic ridgeline riding. The trail follows a hardpack dirt road with light rutting that is shallow and unlikely to trap a tire. Riders can expect gradual hill climbs and sweeping views stretching acro...
Learn more about 4S19 Angelus Hill

Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood is a trail that scales Rouse Ridge/Thomas Mountain using Cottonwood (6S18) and Thomas Mountain Rd (6S13). This trail offers stunning views in all directions as you ascend and descend the mountain. While it is possible to complete this trail in either direction, the souther...
Learn more about Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood

4S06 Indian Canyon is a mellow green-rated trail marked by a flipped scrap car spray-painted with “SoCal Off-Roading.” The route begins as a winding hardpack dirt road with light rutting before entering a shaded wooded section with overhanging trees and a single campsite along the trail. Terrain rem...
Learn more about Indian Canyon - FS 4S06

Rouse Hill is a ridgeline trail with tremendous west and east views. This trail is predominately hard-packed dirt with a loose top layer. It can be a bit sandy in some sections but that will typically only be an issue for 2-wheel vehicles. The trail is only single vehicle wide in some places and som...
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Beautiful trail overlooking the neighboring town of Banning and the surrounding mountains. The deserted mountainscape is chock-full of secluded camp spots with some wind cover and appears to be used for shooting occasionally. The trail is relatively even in most spots and wide enough for two vehicle...
Learn more about Idyllwild Mountain Road

This trail connects the Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood trail to the Thomas Mountain Campground via the western end of Thomas Mountain Road. During dry months, the trail is an easily passable dirt road, requiring only moderate clearance to pass over occasional ruts and drainage control berms running acro...
Learn more about Thomas Mountain West Approach

San Jacinto Ridge is a two-way trail running East to West between the Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Highway (SR 243) and Bee Canyon Road (FS 5S07) in the San Bernardino National Forest. Comprised of mostly hard-pack dirt, the trail weaves through chaparral and pine trees and crosses over the North for...
Learn more about San Jacinto Ridge Trail (FS 5S09)

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon

Beautiful views of the valley below and mountains above. There are lots of switchbacks and about 600 feet of elevation gain in just a few miles of driving. The second half of the trail was closed after Hurricane Hillary, but it does connect to Juan Diego Flats to get you back out to civilization. Th...
Learn more about Red Mountain OHV Trail

This is a level 2-rated full-width road back to Highway 243. This is the fastest and safest way back up to Highway 243. The route through Bee Canyon is currently closed. 2 areas had a boulder roll off the hill into the road. Even an H1 Hummer can make it around both of them, so they won't stop you s...
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10

Angelus Hill is an alternative route branching off 4S06 Indian Canyon, featuring mellow terrain and scenic ridgeline riding. The trail follows a hardpack dirt road with light rutting that is shallow and unlikely to trap a tire. Riders can expect gradual hill climbs and sweeping views stretching acro...
Learn more about 4S19 Angelus Hill

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon

Beautiful views of the valley below and mountains above. There are lots of switchbacks and about 600 feet of elevation gain in just a few miles of driving. The second half of the trail was closed after Hurricane Hillary, but it does connect to Juan Diego Flats to get you back out to civilization. Th...
Learn more about Red Mountain OHV Trail

This is a level 2-rated full-width road back to Highway 243. This is the fastest and safest way back up to Highway 243. The route through Bee Canyon is currently closed. 2 areas had a boulder roll off the hill into the road. Even an H1 Hummer can make it around both of them, so they won't stop you s...
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10

Angelus Hill is an alternative route branching off 4S06 Indian Canyon, featuring mellow terrain and scenic ridgeline riding. The trail follows a hardpack dirt road with light rutting that is shallow and unlikely to trap a tire. Riders can expect gradual hill climbs and sweeping views stretching acro...
Learn more about 4S19 Angelus Hill