Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Nevada City, California

Shirttail Canyon is an easy, scenic loop ideal for stock four-wheel-drive vehicles and high-clearance SUVs looking for a relaxed journey through California's gold country. Starting just off Interstate 80 in Colfax, the route begins as a winding paved road that climbs into the Sierra foothills, passi...
Learn more about Shirttail Canyon

Towle Mill is a 10 mile long tight and winding singletrack loop in the Burlington Trail System. It is easily accessed south of the Skillman Campground off of FS 20-012. The terrain is very similar throughout the entire route, as it continuously winds throughout the rolling forest floor, curving arou...
Learn more about Towle Mill (#66)

This easy singletrack runs along the north side of the Burlington Trail System, north of Highway 20. The west end crosses the highway to access the rest of the Burlington Trail System, while the east end connects to the singletrack Last Chance #55. The Omega Observation Site/Scenic View Area is a gr...
Learn more about Omega Overlook (#54)

This is a long route that winds through the forest on a smooth dirt path with constant sharp turns. The terrain is very similar through the majority of the route, as the trail winds through the tall pine trees, constantly doubling back on itself with big switchbacks and hairpins like a turn track. S...
Learn more about Deer Creek (#25)

The majority of this trail is a tight and winding singletrack through a dry pine forest on dusty loose dirt. Some of the sections are tighter between the leafy dogwoods, and other sections are more open and sparsely lined with big pines and cedars. There was a lot of stick debris in the trail and lo...
Learn more about Stanton (#9)

This is a 4-mile-long easy singletrack in the Burlington Trail System. The entrance off of FS 32-004 starts out as a wide corridor between the trees, more like an old shelf road, as it gradually descends down to the intersection with #9. Continuing clockwise, it goes through a narrow corridor betwee...
Learn more about Omega (#5)

The trail begins just beyond the charming town of Washington, nestled among towering, lush green pine trees. Shortly after the town, the well-maintained gravel road winds through dense forests of pine and spruce trees, traversing the mountain slopes. Along the way, you will pass a few private proper...
Learn more about Washington Gaston

Elliot Ranch Road in Foresthill, California, is a rugged, unpaved route in the Tahoe National Forest, offering access to various recreational activities. It serves as the starting point for challenging trails like the Green Valley Trail, which descends steeply to the North Fork of the American River...
Learn more about Elliot Ranch Road

This wide, single-wide trail is freshly cleared and offers a scenic journey through tall, beautiful trees. There is a small, tight area where you may touch overgrown brush. Along the trail, there are several dispersed camping spots. There are also a few smaller washes and drainage ditches to cross. ...
Learn more about Ditch Road

This trail is a wide, single-wide path that has been freshly cleared. There are a few dispersed camp areas along the trail. Along the way, you’ll encounter a few washes and drainage ditches. Additionally, the trail takes you through some tall, magnificent trees. Watch out for logging trucks; there a...
Learn more about Indian Hill South

East Excelsior Point is a wide, single-track dirt spur that runs out-and-back to the southeast, part of the Burlington OHV Trail System off Highway 20 in Tahoe National Forest. The route holds a flat, easy grade for its full 2.1 miles, opening into occasional clearings with room to pull off along th...
Learn more about East Excelsior Point - FS 20-017-04

Tie 1-1 is a short 0.6 mile long ATV connector that links sections of Loop 1 and cuts off about a mile from the northwest corner of Loop 1. The route is straightforward and very easy, with mostly smooth ground and only a little bit of loose rock and sticks scattered along the way. The trail is gradu...
Learn more about Tie 1-1

This is a fun singletrack on the north side of the Burlington Trail System, easily accessed from FS 20-016, which has a couple dispersed campsites and an area to park a few vehicles to stage. From the west entrance to the trail, it curves tightly through the forest for about 2 miles, making quick ha...
Learn more about Last Chance (#55)

Milk - FS 19N00 is a peaceful woodland connector branching off Plantation Road - FS 19N16 and descending through the hills toward lower Forest Service corridors near Bullards Bar Reservoir. Managed by Plumas National Forest, the track traverses a lush, dense mountain environment sheltered beneath to...
Learn more about Milk - FS 19N00

Giant Gap (FS 26-006) is a beautiful 2.5-mile-long trail that starts and ends along Elliot Ranch Road (FS 26). It is part of the Foresthill OHV area and can be run in either direction. The trail is manageable in 2WD with all-terrain tires when dry. Cell service is intermittent along the trail, and u...
Learn more about Giant Gap (FS 26-006)

The trail varies in width, from single to double, and is freshly cleared. There’s a sign advising against cars driving on the trail. There are drainage ditches and a couple of small washes, each less than 8 inches deep. Depending on the direction, you’ll either climb or descend the west end, and it ...
Learn more about Skinner

Milk Ranch - FS 19N04 serves as an essential backcountry connector linking Plantation Road - FS 19N16 to Forest Service Road 21, providing dependable throughput across the undulating foothill ridges. Situated in Plumas National Forest, the track winds through a lush, vibrant canopy of towering ponde...
Learn more about Milk Ranch - FS 19N04

The trail is a wide single-wide path that meanders alongside a creek for a portion of its length. Along the creek’s edge, there are several dispersed camping sites. There’s even an area beyond the end of the marked trail where you can disperse camp, but the trail ends slightly prematurely. If you co...
Learn more about Indian Creek

Diamond Creek is a wide dirt spur that branches off Highway 20 in Tahoe National Forest, running north into a network of dispersed camping areas and connecting trails. The surface stays flat and well-traveled for its full 4 miles, easily supporting two-way travel throughout. Several large, open clea...
Learn more about Diamond Creek - FS 20-016

This new trail connects Indian Creek to Upper Indian Creek, replacing the decommissioned old trail. It’s relatively easy to navigate, but be cautious of the deep drainage cuts, as they can be rough. The trail climbs abruptly from Indian Creek to Upper Indian Creek, be cautious in wet weather.
Learn more about Indian Creek Connector

The trail begins just beyond the charming town of Washington, nestled among towering, lush green pine trees. Shortly after the town, the well-maintained gravel road winds through dense forests of pine and spruce trees, traversing the mountain slopes. Along the way, you will pass a few private proper...
Learn more about Washington Gaston

Elliot Ranch Road in Foresthill, California, is a rugged, unpaved route in the Tahoe National Forest, offering access to various recreational activities. It serves as the starting point for challenging trails like the Green Valley Trail, which descends steeply to the North Fork of the American River...
Learn more about Elliot Ranch Road

East Excelsior Point is a wide, single-track dirt spur that runs out-and-back to the southeast, part of the Burlington OHV Trail System off Highway 20 in Tahoe National Forest. The route holds a flat, easy grade for its full 2.1 miles, opening into occasional clearings with room to pull off along th...
Learn more about East Excelsior Point - FS 20-017-04

Tie 1-1 is a short 0.6 mile long ATV connector that links sections of Loop 1 and cuts off about a mile from the northwest corner of Loop 1. The route is straightforward and very easy, with mostly smooth ground and only a little bit of loose rock and sticks scattered along the way. The trail is gradu...
Learn more about Tie 1-1

The trail begins just beyond the charming town of Washington, nestled among towering, lush green pine trees. Shortly after the town, the well-maintained gravel road winds through dense forests of pine and spruce trees, traversing the mountain slopes. Along the way, you will pass a few private proper...
Learn more about Washington Gaston

Elliot Ranch Road in Foresthill, California, is a rugged, unpaved route in the Tahoe National Forest, offering access to various recreational activities. It serves as the starting point for challenging trails like the Green Valley Trail, which descends steeply to the North Fork of the American River...
Learn more about Elliot Ranch Road

East Excelsior Point is a wide, single-track dirt spur that runs out-and-back to the southeast, part of the Burlington OHV Trail System off Highway 20 in Tahoe National Forest. The route holds a flat, easy grade for its full 2.1 miles, opening into occasional clearings with room to pull off along th...
Learn more about East Excelsior Point - FS 20-017-04

Milk - FS 19N00 is a peaceful woodland connector branching off Plantation Road - FS 19N16 and descending through the hills toward lower Forest Service corridors near Bullards Bar Reservoir. Managed by Plumas National Forest, the track traverses a lush, dense mountain environment sheltered beneath to...
Learn more about Milk - FS 19N00