Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Porterville, California

Jack Ranch FS24S05 departs from Capinero and climbs 366 feet in just over 3 miles along a shelf road tracing the White River through Dark Canyon. The route is enclosed by very thick pine trees…
Learn more about Jack Ranch - FS 24S05

Pine Flat FS23S05 departs from Pine Flat and climbs its way toward the White River, gaining over 700 feet and dropping over 300 feet across 3 miles along a shelf road above Capinero Creek. The…
Learn more about Pine Flat - FS 23S05

Despite the significant elevation loss of 1,100 feet, the hard-packed dirt and gravel surface is well managed and the switchbacks are gradual enough to keep this accessible to street legal vehicles. The single vehicle width…
Learn more about Capinero - FS 23S05

This is a half paved, half gravel pass that cuts a shorter route through from Johnsondale towards Nobe Young Falls. This relaxed path passes by a smaller waterfall and is accessible by nearly all vehicles.…
Learn more about Last Chance to Lloyd Meadow

This is a great, flowy dirt road that offers some of the best views overlooking the Kern River Valley area. The path follows the natural curves of the mountainside, giving you plenty of chances to…
Learn more about Green for Greenhorn

Cookes Peak (FS 25S21) departs and returns to Rancheria Road North, running along a shelf road with consistent views down into Lake Isabella, the valley below, and the mountains across the way. The dirt and…
Learn more about Cookes Peak - FS 25S21

Sawmill Road is the primary west-to-east corridor in this section of the Sequoia National Forest, departing from Rancheria Road North and climbing over 2,300 feet in just over 7.5 miles. The trail runs along a…
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This section of Old State Road is a classic, flowy dirt road that's perfect for taking in the scenery. It follows a nice rhythm with gentle curves and wide-open stretches that offer great views of…
Learn more about Old State of Mind

FS 14S13 is part of the Sequoia National Forest. It is a sandy, dusty trail that takes you through a pine forest with rock formations. There are various sections that were recently burned by a…
Learn more about Woodcock Meadow - 14S13

To get to this trail, you will first need to come down Black Gulch Jeep Trail heading West from Hwy 155. You will continue driving until the pavement turns to dirt at the last public…
Learn more about Kern River Getaway - 27S30

Cannell FS24S12 is a 10 mile out and back that winds through young and mature pine trees within Sequoia National Forest, climbing over 900 feet and dropping over 550 feet across just over 6 miles…
Learn more about Cannell - FS 24S12

A long scenic route crosses the sprawling high desert from Jawbone OHV Area, climbs above 8,000 feet across the Piute Mountain Range inside Sequoia National Forest, and then descends quickly to Lake Isabella. There are…
Learn more about Jawbone to Lake Isabella

Enter through the National Park fee booth and follow the signs to Grant Grove Village and the Cedar Grove area. The signs for the Boole Tree Trailhead will be along road 180 just past the…
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This is another great trail here--a nice wide single track winding through the forest. It passes through a couple of nice meadows and there are quite a few creek crossings to look out for. The…
Learn more about Albinita

This is a short loop dirt road in Sequoia National Forest. Along the loop, you can find a few spots perfect for tent camping, with plenty of room for up to 2 to 3 tents…
Learn more about Converse - 13S07/13S50

This is another fun scenic single track that comes equipped with a couple of rock sections and some sand. There are a couple of creek crossings, one of which could get a little spicy with…
Learn more about Beach Ridge Trail

Church FS24S32 winds through sagebrush and varying sized pine trees within Sequoia National Forest, running partially along a shelf road before ending at Taylor Meadow. Pine needles and pine cones scattered across the surface give…
Learn more about Church - FS 24S32

This is an easy wide-open access road across from Troy Meadow Campground that leads to some great single track trails in the area. It's a smooth, well-maintained road. It does have some sandy areas to…
Learn more about Sam Lewis

A nice, easy, and wide single track that has a really nice flow to it, this trail connects Troy Meadow Campground with Fish Creek Campground, another super fun single track in the area. There will…
Learn more about Campground Connector

The North Rattlesnake Loop serves as a cut-off connector linking two sides of trail Taylor FS24S13, cutting through lots of sagebrush and large pine trees within Sequoia National Forest. The trail is fairly smooth throughout…
Learn more about North Rattlesnake - FS 24S33

Monache Meadows is a beautiful scenic valley surrounded by wilderness areas. The road follows and crosses the South fork of Kern River. There are great camp spots along the route and at the end. Explore,…
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Starting at the PCT trail crossing parking lot, this sandy shelf road overlooks the valley below, creating elevated vantage points. Stunning wildflowers emerge in spring, transforming the landscape with color. Switchbacks guide descent into the…
Learn more about Bird Spring Canyon Road West BLM SC120

Walker Creek Road begins just off Old US-395 south of Olancha, starting as a wide two-track sand trail before gradually narrowing as it gains elevation. Shortly after leaving the highway, the trail crosses over the…
Learn more about Walker Creek Road - FS 19S01

This is a fun loop that starts off with SC39 and SC47. It begins with long downhill sections of s-turns and the trail is several feet below the main desert floor with Yuccas on both…
Learn more about Hanging Rock Loop

This limited-use area trail cuts across Highway 395, starting just above the South Haiwee Reservoir, a private lake owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). Hard-packed sand with embedded rocks forms…
Learn more about Haiwee Canyon Road - BLM SE776

Rock Creek Road (FS 9S090) is the essential spinal cord of the Bald Mountain OHV area, a 12.7-mile journey that changes its personality more often than a moody teenager. Connecting Highway 168 at the Tamarack…
Learn more about Rock Creek Road - FS 9S090

Starting just off Highway 395 on the north side with no access from southbound lanes, this sandy route navigates through lush desert flora, including large Joshua trees, smoke trees, and creosote bushes, creating unusually dense…
Learn more about BLM 37E402

BLM SE743 is a short, accessible out-and-back spur that branches off Walker Creek Road and makes for an easy add-on to that route or a standalone mellow desert run. The trail travels through open BLM…
Learn more about BLM SE743

This 2-mile "loop" starts at 5,285 feet of elevation and rises to 5,865 feet. The trail is sandy with a few rocky sections. There are also a few sections with ruts due to snowmelt and…
Learn more about South Fork Lubken Creek Canyon Loop

Climbing over a thousand feet in just under 3 miles along a shelf road, this route delivers dramatic and stunning views of valleys below from elevated vantage points. Spring transforms the landscape with amazing blooming…
Learn more about BLM SC228