Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Ruhenstroth, Nevada

Named by the BLM, P-10 is a North/South trail passing along the East side of the Carson Valley. On the North it intersects Sunrise Pass (BLM R-09), and in the South intersecting with Pine Nut Road II (BLM P-11). P-10 is an easy trail, consisting of dirt, sand, and some rocky sections. There is a min...
Learn more about P-10 Trail

Traveling East from the Carson Valley, P-16 Trail will take you into the heart of the Pine Nut Mountains. It is a one-lane winding mountain trail that gains altitude as you go East. The trail is lined with Juniper trees and Pinion Pines, with some open areas, and offers grand views of the Sierra Fro...
Learn more about Pine Nuts P-16 Trail

The trail begins on a dirt road just off Highway 395 and quickly descends into a lush valley. In this valley, the path follows a creek, winding in and out of dense vegetation. At times, the vehicle feels like it's traveling through a tunnel formed by the overhanging trees and greenery. While the tra...
Learn more about Poison Creek

This trail starts off on a wide graded dirt road. Then turning Northeast you proceed up a narrow double track trail. This portion of the trail ascends up a flat topped ridge which is lined with Juniper trees. There are several small arroyos to cross along the way. The arroyos are usually dry, but ca...
Learn more about 1947 Bunker Trail

This graded dirt county road begins at the Johnson Lane OHV Park located east of Minden, NV. As the road gradually ascends, it traverses alluvial plains covered in sage and low canyons with juniper trees. Rising to 7,000 feet at Sunrise Pass, the road takes you to the heart of the Pine Nut Mountains...
Learn more about Sunrise Pass Road

This trail leads you to panoramic views of the Carson Valley and the Sierra Front. I prefer to start at the Johnson Lane Staging Area and travel North, but either direction is okay. The trail has a few challenges. You will encounter soft sand and loose rocks on some of the steep climbs, so have appr...
Learn more about Hot Springs Mountains Senic Trail

The Pine Nut Mountains Vista Trail is a scenic double-track route in the Johnson Lane OHV Area, perfect for offroaders seeking panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Minden, and the surrounding Carson Valley. Starting near the end of Johnson Lane, just ten miles from Minden, this 2.56-mile ...
Learn more about Pine Nut Mountains Vista Trail

Winding through a serene, high-elevation alpine forest managed by Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Unnamed Spur 1 branches directly off Jobs Peak Trail Road - FS 31051 as a versatile side route. While it lacks official junction signage at the start, the well-established dirt entrance is easy to spo...
Learn more about Unnamed Spur off Jobs Peak Trail Road - FS 31051

Jobs Peak Trail Road - FS 31051A is a tranquil 0.5-mile out-and-back spur route through alpine forest managed by Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Accessed directly from the main forest road network, this short single-track dirt road serves as a primary access corridor for hikers to reach the Jobs P...
Learn more about Jobs Peak Trail Spur - FS 31051A

This road takes you to the Utopian Mine located in the Pine Nut Mountains in Carson City County, Nevada. The graded dirt road is wide and flat for the first four miles. As you cross into Carson City County, the road is named Bruinswick Canyon Road. Turning on to a double-track side trail for the las...
Learn more about Utopian Mine Trail

Located in a peaceful, high-altitude forest, Horse Meadows Spur B - FS 31051B is a 1-mile spur route managed by Sequoia National Forest. Accessed via the top of Horse Meadows Road, this trail is primarily used by visitors seeking remote primitive camping and access to nearby high-country hiking trai...
Learn more about Horse Meadows Spur - FS 31051B

This 2.5-mile out-and-back trail begins from Leviathan Road and offers a quick but rugged climb. The route gains over 450 feet in under a mile before dropping about 130 feet to its end high above Poison Creek, where wide views open across the valley below. The track is one vehicle wide, made of dirt...
Learn more about Water Tank Spur - FS 31347

Big Buck Meadows Trail follows the power line service road for about 1.5 miles. This portion of the trail consists of a single vehicle-wide trail with a few easy hairpin switchbacks. Ascending about 800 feet to an elevation of 7,211 ft. the trail surface is mostly packed gravel. As the road quickly ...
Learn more about Big Buck Meadows Trail

Big Spring Spur Road is a scenic dirt route in the Toiyabe National Forest, accessed from Highway 89, about 7.5 miles west of the Highway 395/89 Junction. This rugged path takes you through open meadows, rolling ridgelines, and offers striking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The road surfa...
Learn more about Big Spring Spur Road

The trail begins at the end of Leviathan Mine Road, where a seasonal gate controls access. From start to finish, the route drops over 1,500 feet and climbs about 450 feet in just over six miles before connecting to Poison Creek Trail. The road is about one and a half vehicles wide and made up of san...
Learn more about Leviathan Road East - FS 31052

This narrow 3-mile route starts near the end of Leviathan Road by the mine and climbs more than 700 feet. The trail is tight and overgrown in spots, with low-hanging branches and brush crowding the edges. It is made of hard-packed dirt and is barely wide enough for a single vehicle. From the start, ...
Learn more about High Peak Road - FS 31050

Winding through a dense, high-elevation pine forest managed by Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Willow Creek Rd 31051D offers a scenic and tranquil loop off Horse Meadows Rd and nearby access points closest to Armstrong Pass Trailhead. Outdoor enthusiasts often utilize this short connector route to...
Learn more about Willow Creek Road - FS 31051D

Accessed from Big Spring Road West, this lesser-known offshoot delivers a peaceful backcountry ride through sagebrush meadows and an Aspen forest that truly comes alive in the fall. The trail is one vehicle wide and winds gently through vibrant vegetation, gradually climbing over 300 feet from south...
Learn more about Leviathan Bypass - FS 31353

Traversing a high-elevation woodland within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Willow Creek Spur E - FS 31051E branches off Willow Creek Road to offer a quiet, secluded out-and-back trek. This short side path leads through remote forest terrain to an established, off-grid campsite boasting sweepi...
Learn more about Willow Creek Spur E - FS 31051E

This trail becomes very rocky and bouncy with off-camber sections. There are many low trees to get under. But the end of the trail rewards you with scenic views of various valleys and surrounding hillsides and mountains in the distance. There is a radio reflector at the end, hence the name of the...
Learn more about Reflector Road

Named by the BLM, P-10 is a North/South trail passing along the East side of the Carson Valley. On the North it intersects Sunrise Pass (BLM R-09), and in the South intersecting with Pine Nut Road II (BLM P-11). P-10 is an easy trail, consisting of dirt, sand, and some rocky sections. There is a min...
Learn more about P-10 Trail

Traveling East from the Carson Valley, P-16 Trail will take you into the heart of the Pine Nut Mountains. It is a one-lane winding mountain trail that gains altitude as you go East. The trail is lined with Juniper trees and Pinion Pines, with some open areas, and offers grand views of the Sierra Fro...
Learn more about Pine Nuts P-16 Trail

The trail begins on a dirt road just off Highway 395 and quickly descends into a lush valley. In this valley, the path follows a creek, winding in and out of dense vegetation. At times, the vehicle feels like it's traveling through a tunnel formed by the overhanging trees and greenery. While the tra...
Learn more about Poison Creek

This trail starts off on a wide graded dirt road. Then turning Northeast you proceed up a narrow double track trail. This portion of the trail ascends up a flat topped ridge which is lined with Juniper trees. There are several small arroyos to cross along the way. The arroyos are usually dry, but ca...
Learn more about 1947 Bunker Trail

Named by the BLM, P-10 is a North/South trail passing along the East side of the Carson Valley. On the North it intersects Sunrise Pass (BLM R-09), and in the South intersecting with Pine Nut Road II (BLM P-11). P-10 is an easy trail, consisting of dirt, sand, and some rocky sections. There is a min...
Learn more about P-10 Trail

Traveling East from the Carson Valley, P-16 Trail will take you into the heart of the Pine Nut Mountains. It is a one-lane winding mountain trail that gains altitude as you go East. The trail is lined with Juniper trees and Pinion Pines, with some open areas, and offers grand views of the Sierra Fro...
Learn more about Pine Nuts P-16 Trail

The trail begins on a dirt road just off Highway 395 and quickly descends into a lush valley. In this valley, the path follows a creek, winding in and out of dense vegetation. At times, the vehicle feels like it's traveling through a tunnel formed by the overhanging trees and greenery. While the tra...
Learn more about Poison Creek

This trail starts off on a wide graded dirt road. Then turning Northeast you proceed up a narrow double track trail. This portion of the trail ascends up a flat topped ridge which is lined with Juniper trees. There are several small arroyos to cross along the way. The arroyos are usually dry, but ca...
Learn more about 1947 Bunker Trail