Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Oakhurst, California

This is a Sierra foothill road near Bass Lake, which is not visible on this trek. It is a clear dirt road with very little pinstriping. Some rutting but very manageable. There are several ways…
Learn more about Chepo Saddle 6S13

This is an unmaintained, overgrown dirt road through a severely burned and recovering forest. The route is defined by deep ruts, exposed rocks, and pinstriping brush. This road serves as a remote access or connector…
Learn more about Sugar Pine - FS 6S090

A primary, 6.4-mile Forest Service access road that transitions from graded gravel (easy, fast travel) to a rutted dirt track as it moves into the western end, which was affected by past wildfires. It is…
Learn more about Miami Mountain Road - FS 6S014

This is a historically significant, long single-lane dirt road that is generally easy (Rated 1) but is NOT a through route due to closures. The surface is a mix of packed dirt, embedded rock, and…
Learn more about Ten Mile Grade - FS 4S004

This is an easy, scenic, and well-maintained dirt/gravel road that serves as a secondary access point from Highway 41 into the historic area of Sugar Pine. The route runs through a beautiful mid-elevation forest, parallels…
Learn more about Lower Speckerman Fire - FS 5S017

This is a fast, fun, single-lane connector road that links the 10 Mile Spur to Miami Mountain Road (6S014). The route is predominantly hard-packed dirt under a dense canopy of pine and cedar. Driving at…
Learn more about Wolf Leap - FS 6S009

This is a short, easy, single-lane connector road that provides direct access from Highway 41 (near the Westfall Ranger Station) to the Lower Speckerman Fire Road (FS 5S017). The road surface is dry, packed dirt…
Learn more about Westfall Tie - FS 5S017X

This is a short connector route and bypass for the nearby portion of Ten Mile Grade that passes through the private property of the adjacent Yosemite Mountain Ranch. This is a fast, single-lane dirt Forest…
Learn more about Ten Mile Spur - FS 5S062

The high-elevation, upper portion of Sky Ranch Road serves as a critical trunk route to multiple backcountry destinations. It is the eastern portion of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. This two-lane road is characterized by…
Learn more about Upper Sky Ranch Road - FS 6S010A

An easy, two-lane forest service road that efficiently climbs out of the Fish Camp area and connects to the high-country Chowchilla Mtn Road network. The surface is a mixed bag of graded dirt, loose gravel,…
Learn more about Summit - FS 5S009

This is a short, fun, and easy dirt Jeep trail through a dense forest environment. The trail features sections of powdery ruts and packed earth that can be driven quickly, making it an excellent connector…
Learn more about Battalion - FS 21E252

This is a scenic, single-lane, high-elevation road characterized by rough embedded rock sections that demand slow, careful driving. The route travels through a dense, unburned subalpine forest with heavy tree cover. This road is an…
Learn more about Iron Mountain - FS 5S092

This is an easy, two-lane Forest Service road that efficiently climbs out of the Fish Camp area and connects to the high-country Chowchilla Mountain Road network. The surface is a mixed bag of graded dirt,…
Learn more about Summit Cutoff - 5S009X

This is a short, single-lane connector through an area of severe wildfire impact, clearly evidenced by standing silver snags and burnt timber (visible in photos). The route is tight and overgrown due to rapid post-fire…
Learn more about Ten Mile Grade C Spur - FS 4S004C

This is a scenic, 9.5-mile single-lane dirt road that rapidly gains elevation as it climbs through the forest impacted by the 2022 Oak Wildfire. The route offers dramatic, expansive views due to the lack of…
Learn more about Footman Ridge - FS 5S025

This high alpine traverse is a tale of two forest service roads. It starts on the northern side as a rough, rocky scramble with lots of embedded granite that slows travel and requires focus. However,…
Learn more about Quartz Mountain - FS 5S040Y

The Western half of the Quartz Mountain summit loop, connecting with the Quartz Mountain Top spur (FS 5S040XD). This two-track route climbs to over 9,000 feet, offering spectacular views to the East over the Ansel…
Learn more about Prospect Mine - FS 5S040X

This is a short, easy, two-track dirt spur that drops quickly to access Chiquito Creek. The trail passes through an area impacted by the 2020 Creek Wildfire, resulting in expanded regional views but a landscape…
Learn more about Minarets Number 80 - FS 5S012Y

This is a very short, single-track dirt spur that dead-ends at an access point above Chiquito Creek. The route is tight and heavily encroached by dense scrub brush, forcing a slow and cautious pace, but…
Learn more about Minarets No 80 YA Spur - FS 5S012YA

A very short, slightly bumpy and picturesque access spur off the main Beasore Road, leading directly to high-quality dispersed campsites and the Chiquito Creek (great for cold morning dips!). The main feature is a shallow…
Learn more about Beasore - A Spur - FS 5s007a

Welcome to the high-country burn scar! This short, intense two-track scrambles up through the devastating 2020 Creek Wildfire burn above 7,900 feet, towards the Ansel Adams Wilderness boundary. The trail offers a dramatic, otherworldly experience…
Learn more about Sharks - FS 5S057

This trail is a challenging off-road adventure known for its steep inclines, deep ruts, and rugged terrain. The path climbs sharply from the base, demanding both driver skill and a well-equipped 4x4 vehicle. Traction becomes…
Learn more about The Stairway

This two-track route is a connector between Graveyard (FS 5S008) and Jackass Creek (FS 5S002). The trail runs entirely through the severe 2020 Creek Fire burn scar, which means lots of downed trees, loose dirt,…
Learn more about Graveyard Creek - FS 5S055

Nutmeg is a challenging 3.7-mile trail that features significant elevation changes, climbing over 700 feet and dropping over 700 feet throughout its length. This single-track trail winds through diverse terrain, offering spectacular views of surrounding…
Learn more about Nutmeg - FS 3S06

This short, fast single-lane road is the access to the high-country trail system at the Norris Trailhead. The road itself is smooth, packed dirt and gravel, allowing for a quick 10-minute blast to the trailhead…
Learn more about Norris Lake - FS 5S086

This is a short and fast forest service access road that is the final stretch to the popular Fernandez Pass / Walton trailhead. This same trailhead also serves as an access point along the longer…
Learn more about Clover Meadow - FS 5S005

This trail climbs over 900 feet and drops almost 800 feet across just under 6 miles, creating a challenging route with significant elevation changes throughout the journey. The track winds up and down hills along…
Learn more about Ferguson Ridge - FS 3S004

This sandy and dusty trail winds through canyon terrain, dropping 1,600 feet and climbing just over 400 feet across just over 5 miles of diverse landscape. Starting at the Stairway Trail and Sweetwater Trail junction…
Learn more about Feliciana Mountain Road - FS 4S012

This sandy trail climbs almost 400 feet and drops over 400 feet in just under 2 miles, offering stunning views of the valleys below and mountains across the landscape within the Stanislaus National Forest. The…
Learn more about Ferguson Gulch - FS 3S023

Sweetwater Ridge climbs almost 500 feet and drops almost 800 feet over just 3.6 miles, though this 7-mile out-and-back trail starts at Feliciana Mountain Road. The trail begins as a gravel surface and transitions to…
Learn more about Sweetwater Ridge - FS 3S012