Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Porterville, California

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

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

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…
Learn more about Boole Tree Trailhead

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

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

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,…
Learn more about Monache Meadows

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

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

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

Dropping over 700 feet in under 2 miles, this one vehicle wide route combines mostly sand and gravel while descending rapidly. Lined with sagebrush, large groups of Joshua trees, and seasonal blooming wildflowers, creating a…
Learn more about BLM SC42

Bow Tie (FS 25E208) is a classic High Sierra connector that feels like a "greatest hits" album of the Bald Mountain region. Starting from Rock Creek Road, this trail winds south, linking up with Tower…
Learn more about Bow Tie - FS 25E208

This is an extremely short, 0.7-mile spur trail that provides direct access to a spectacular summit and the Bald Mountain fire watchtower destination. The trail starts as a relatively clear two-track, but the difficulty ramps…
Learn more about Tower - FS 25E314

Don't let the name fool you--Plain (FS 26E211) is anything but boring. This delightful connector trail serves as a scenic bridge between the popular Bald Mountain (FS 26E219) route and the more technical Basecamp (FS…
Learn more about Plain - FS 26E211

This route consists of two main trails, SC47 and SC328. The trail can be accessed on the West from Kelso Valley Road and from the East at the actual Dove Springs. My route includes the…
Learn more about Dove Springs Access Trail

This is an easy, fast, and fun 8.1-mile forest service road offering high-speed transit through a beautiful, healthy section of the high country. The road is a wide, two-lane track primarily comprised of well-graded gravel,…
Learn more about Foster Ridge - FS 9s010

This 1.5 vehicle-wide sandy trail follows power lines while offering views of both the Coso Range Mountains and Eastern Sierra Mountains, creating layered scenery. Nice views of the Haiwee Reservoir appear as you navigate. The…
Learn more about BLM SE781

This trail is a technical out-and-back side route off Moffat Ranch Road near the main attraction, Movie Road Drive in North Alabama Hills. The trail starts with an immediate climb up the side of several…
Learn more about North Alabama Hills Vista Trail

This 1.9-mile trail spur is a scenic and easy access road, designed for fast transit to one of the high country's primary ridgeline overlooks. The road is a clear two-track with a smooth, firm base…
Learn more about Outlook - FS 9s010w

This 0.7-mile connector trail in the Bald Mountain trail network is a short, twisty, and fun two-track trail that is essential for linking the high-elevation roads in the area ( between Lazy M and Bow…
Learn more about 45 Cutoff - FS 25E309

This is a fun winding trail that starts right off of SC173 and quickly drops down into a soft wide sand wash. The trail narrows with a tight s-turn between large boulders then opens up…
Learn more about Alphie Springs Wash

This 7.9-mile road is a high-elevation artery providing fast, efficient access to the heart of the high-country trail network, including hiking trails accessing the Dinkey Lakes Wilderness. This road connects between CA 168 and FS…
Learn more about South Fork Tamarack - FS 9s069