Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Ridgecrest, California

This is the Western section of the Murano trail as it enters the Spangler Hills OHV area and leads in from BLM land that borders the town of Ridgecrest. It continues past this part 1…
Learn more about Murano Trail Part 1

This trail begins or ends outside the town of Ridgecrest at a large, seemingly out-of-place rock formation painted in roses. Use caution when approaching as there are many nails in the dirt and broken glass…
Learn more about Rosebud Rocks to Wagon Wheel OHV

A fun run one to the boundary of the OHV area. The trail has lots of bermed corners and many sandy sections. There is a great camping area with a nice view and a high…
Learn more about Fun Boundary Rip

A mostly easy trail that cuts across the BLM land from Trona Road over to Highway. This easy trail, with mostly sand and washouts, leads to lots of dispersed camping and connects Trona Road to…
Learn more about Milford Road Cutover

This trail is a fun blast through the hills with bermed corners, some washes, and occasional deep whoops. This trail just kisses the boundary between the Spangler OHV Area and BLM land. The trail is…
Learn more about Kiss The Boundary

One of the more established boundary trails in the area. A generally easy connector trail to attach with other trails in the area. The trail has some whoops and bermed corners and crosses some sandy…
Learn more about Boundary Circle 1

It's a generally sandy two-track trail with plenty of bermed corners and some deeper washouts. The trail progresses and crosses through some impressive large rocks. Watch for desert tortoises and military planes buzzing the deck…
Learn more about Lower Murano Road

This trail starts out easy for larger rigs to access dispersed camping areas. It should be very doable for trailers and Motorhomes. Be sure to stop at the last large open space on the NE…
Learn more about Easy Way to Camp From Trona Road

Uneven and rutted dirt trail with loose rocks and sandy washes. Use caution, some washes are narrow. Potential for mud holes and water crossings less than a foot deep. There are trail obstacles of up…
Learn more about Iron Canyon EP21

The trail starts at the north end with a hard-packed dirt road. It passes through an open meadow before coming to a massive, open, dispersed camping area with many fire rings. It then continues south…
Learn more about Old Railroad Grade to New Tracks

This appears to be the main cut across the road for dispersed camping. There are plenty of fire rings and flat spots to pick from. The road is mostly graded, and some washboard with plenty…
Learn more about Old Searles Station Road

A solid hardpacked trail across the middle of the valley. Many of the trails are whooped out and very sandy in the area. This trail leads to Pinnacle road and has a few steep hills,…
Learn more about Valley Crossover

This sand and gravel route departs Highway 395 running parallel to railroad tracks through terrain lined with diverse desert brush including creosote bushes, smoke trees, and other flora. Nice views showcase surrounding mountains including Galileo…
Learn more about BLM RM26

This is a fun ride up the canyon from Indian Wells Brewery that takes you to the Nadeau-Magnolia Mine. This is one of the few abandoned mine sites that still maintains its historical charm. The…
Learn more about Nadeau-Magnolia Mine

Starting off the Highway 395 feeder south of Brady's Mini Mart, this connector delivers you to the trail accessing Short Canyon Trailhead as well as other trails in the area. Sandy surface alternates between loose…
Learn more about Short Canyon Road - BLM SE138

Starting on the feeder road off Highway 395 north of Brady's Mini Mart, this sandy alternative route heads west toward Short Canyon, serving as another option to reach Short Canyon Trailhead beyond BLM SE139. The…
Learn more about Leliter Road - BLM SE137

Following power lines for a reliable navigation reference, this sandy route navigates terrain punctuated with ruts, off-camber sections, and uneven spots, creating varied challenges. Great views unfold of Sand Canyon in the Eastern Sierra Mountains,…
Learn more about BLM LAP Grapevine Canyon

Starting off BLM SE138, this sandy route features lots of off-camber sections, ruts, and articulating whoops while going up and down small hills in decidedly non-flat terrain that will test your suspension thoroughly. The trail…
Learn more about BLM SE125

This seasonally graded two-vehicle wide sandy route starts on the feeder road accessible right off Highway 395. Heading west into Grapevine Canyon, the Eastern Sierra Mountains serve as your dramatic backdrop. Whoops and ruts punctuate…
Learn more about Grapevine Canyon Road - BLM SE128

A sandy and bumpy dirt road with frequent washouts and whoops. This is a direct dirt route connecting the Trona Pinnacles area to the edge of the Spangler Hills OHV Riding Area. There are more…
Learn more about Pinnacles to Spangler Hills OHV Area

A nice easy loop to the wilderness border features a few large open camping spots suitable for very big rigs right off the highway. The loop features tight twists and turns with narrow sections and…
Learn more about Rocky Little Wilderness Border Loop

The Fish Head Rocks were originally painted in the late 1930s or early 1940s, a beloved and unexpected desert sight. The route to Trona Pinnacles passes through "Poison Canyon" because the small stream at its…
Learn more about Fish Head Rocks to Trona Pinnacles

This 1.5 to 2 vehicle wide route alternates between loose sand and packed sand surfaces, creating variable traction. Runoff ruts up to 6-8 inches deep cut the trail sides, requiring awareness to avoid catching wheels.…
Learn more about Aquaduct Service Road Grapevine Canyon - BLM LA2

One of the highlighted trails in the area, this hard-pack sand route runs about 1.5 vehicles wide into Short Canyon. Climbing into the canyon reveals dramatic, beautiful views of Eastern Sierra Mountain peaks rising dramatically.…
Learn more about Short Canyon Trailhead - BLM SE139

Located in the Mojave desert in California, this trail runs alongside the Rand Mountain Range and is suitable for all off-road vehicles. This trail contains nice elevation gains with a fun trail that rolls and…
Learn more about R44

This is a long, meandering trail along the base of the Rand Mountains on the Garlock side. There are a lot of loose rocks, some sand washes, and a few larger ruts. Watch for flash…
Learn more about R50

This is an easy trail if you do not want to get out taking the same popular trail and getting into Trona Pinnacles. It is easy for off-road beginners with almost all stock 4WD and…
Learn more about Teagle Wash Road

Starting off BLM SE120 near Grapevine Canyon Road, this sand and gravel road runs just over one vehicle wide while traveling mostly on a shelf road perched high above the valley below. Serving as access…
Learn more about Aquaduct Service Road Grapevine - BLM LA1

Following double power lines for navigation reference, this mostly sandy route starts near Sand Canyon and travels through No Name Canyon. Occasional rocks appear in the middle of the trail, requiring attention and line selection.…
Learn more about BLM LAP No Name Canyon

This side trail, EP207, travels over 1,000 feet in just 1.5 miles up to the summit overlooking Red Rock/Randsberg Road. The double-track trail is just wide enough for a single vehicle. There are a few…
Learn more about EP207 Summit