Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near San Juan Capistrano, California

5S01 Indian Truck Trail is a 7-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 located within the Cleveland National Forest, Trabuco Ranger District. Indian Truck Trail ascends 2,500 feet over the 7-mile drive from the Temescal Canyon to the North Main Divide. This is a limited access trail restricted to st...
Learn more about 5S01 Indian Truck Trail

Tucked amidst the hustle and bustle of Southern California's heavily-populated coast is a slice of heaven called the Cleveland National Forest. This mountainous region is undeveloped, save for a few great trails connecting world-class views to cozy campgrounds. The North Main Divide Road enters the ...
Learn more about North Main Divide Road

The Main Divide is composed of 3 sections, all of which are easy going trails that can be done with any high clearance 4x4 or a low clearance AWD vehicle with care. This trail offers some of the most amazing views of the Temescal Valley below and Los Angeles beyond. On a clear day you can see all th...
Learn more about 3S04 Main Divide to Santiago Peak

Maple Springs road offers a fun, relatively easy route with scenic views of the Cleveland National Forest. Vehicles should have some ground clearance. At the end of the trail is an elevated patch of asphalt that appears to be a helicopter pad. The trail is shared with dirt bikes, hikers and riders o...
Learn more about Maple Spring Road

Scenic trail from the 15 Freeway to Santiago Peak. The dirt road is hard-packed and easy to navigate, but does have a few sections with sharp rocks and a few ruts. The road has multiple stop locations for great views towards Riverside. This area is also popular with dirt bikes and hikers.
Learn more about FS 4S03

Nate Harrison Grade is a dirt backroad into Palomar Mountain State Park. This trail leads from typical Southern California scrubland scenery up to lush forests and mountain views. You'll encounter loose rocky areas and several deep ruts throughout the route. The trail is primarily non-technical, wit...
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8S05 is a well-maintained service road, but you can expect large rocks, ruts, and very steep drop-offs throughout. The weather could have a significant impact on the road. Muddy conditions are likely; one should ensure their vehicle is properly equipped and use caution. This drive is great for a loc...
Learn more about 8S05 - North Palomar Mountain Road

The Palomar Divide is an easy drive with beautiful views. It is a single lane with pull-offs throughout. The majority of the trail is dirt, however, it has some old paved sections in the lower elevation portion. During the rain or snow seasons, one can expect slick conditions and should proceed with...
Learn more about Palomar Divide (9S07)

This trail goes from Gray Pine Pl. up to 3N31. Starting the trail off of Gray Pine Place you will find yourself in a subdivision, the access is between two houses and is marked as such. Please respect the neighborhood, don't make a mess, and keep noise under control. This trail can be best described...
Learn more about Edison Road Section 3 - 1N32

This trail is a rough dirt road with mostly hardpack dirt, gravel, and small-sized rocks. There is some overgrowth, so plan to collect some pinstripes! The overgrowth gets worse as the trail progresses and is severe past the campground. This is an out-and-back trail ending just past the Joe Elliot Y...
Learn more about Big Tree Cucamonga - 1N34

This trail goes from the East side of Lytle Creek Road up to 3N31. There is a bit of a wash area at the start, and it slowly works its way up in elevation. Starting at Lytle Creek Road, you will come to a Y, stay to the right, and start climbing in elevation. If you go left (straight) you will end ...
Learn more about Meyers Canyon - 1N33

Rouse Hill Road is for street-legal vehicles only; no green stickers or OHV vehicles. Full-size vehicles are at home here, as the trail is a single track with plenty of room. The beginning of this end of the trail winds through the eastern side of Washburn Ranch which is a large grapefruit grower. T...
Learn more about Rouse Hill Road

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon

Angelus Hill is an alternative route branching off 4S06 Indian Canyon, featuring mellow terrain and scenic ridgeline riding. The trail follows a hardpack dirt road with light rutting that is shallow and unlikely to trap a tire. Riders can expect gradual hill climbs and sweeping views stretching acro...
Learn more about 4S19 Angelus Hill

2N79A takes you from 2N79 to an outlook point looking South, overlooking the city. There are some offshoots and alternative social trails along this route that should not be followed in order to maintain the integrity of this local trail system. The terrain is mostly hardpack dirt and goes past a co...
Learn more about Renstock Ridge Spur A - 2N79A

The easiest way to start this trail is off the 15 Freeway and Glen Helen Parkway Road to Lower Lytle Creek Divide - 3N31. There are a couple of residences on the right-hand side of the road just before the trail begins, so please be mindful of this when airing down/airing up. The trail begins shortl...
Learn more about Lower Lytle Creek Divide - 3N31

This is a level 2-rated full-width road back to Highway 243. This is the fastest and safest way back up to Highway 243. The route through Bee Canyon is currently closed. 2 areas had a boulder roll off the hill into the road. Even an H1 Hummer can make it around both of them, so they won't stop you s...
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10

This is a 1.4-mile, well-maintained, easy gravel spur road that connects Lytle Creek Road and Lower Lytle Creek Divide - 3N31. This spur road is a convenient way to access Lower Lytle Creek Divide - 3N31, which is an 8.5-mile fun, scenic ridgeline trail above Lytle Creek.
Learn more about Old Cc Spur - 2N57

5S06 Idyllwild Control is a 6-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 located within the San Bernardino National Forest, San Jacinto Ranger District. 5S06 climbs from Highway 74 nearly 3,000 feet, ending at the intersection with Apple Drive in Idyllwild. The road is open to highway-legal vehicles on...
Learn more about 5S06 Idyllwild Control

Starting in Highland, 1n16 is a fairly easy dirt road with some parts rutted out, but any 4x4 can make it through the trail easily. Many parts of the trail are single-vehicle wide, but there are plenty of places to pass along the way. Coming from Highland, the trail ends on 1n16, giving you the choi...
Learn more about Alder Creek Road - FSR 1n16

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon

Angelus Hill is an alternative route branching off 4S06 Indian Canyon, featuring mellow terrain and scenic ridgeline riding. The trail follows a hardpack dirt road with light rutting that is shallow and unlikely to trap a tire. Riders can expect gradual hill climbs and sweeping views stretching acro...
Learn more about 4S19 Angelus Hill

The easiest way to start this trail is off the 15 Freeway and Glen Helen Parkway Road to Lower Lytle Creek Divide - 3N31. There are a couple of residences on the right-hand side of the road just before the trail begins, so please be mindful of this when airing down/airing up. The trail begins shortl...
Learn more about Lower Lytle Creek Divide - 3N31

This is a level 2-rated full-width road back to Highway 243. This is the fastest and safest way back up to Highway 243. The route through Bee Canyon is currently closed. 2 areas had a boulder roll off the hill into the road. Even an H1 Hummer can make it around both of them, so they won't stop you s...
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10

Bee Canyon Truck Trail is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate off-roaders looking for a moderate challenge close to Hemet, California. Winding through the San Bernardino National Forest, this trail combines scenic canyon views with varied terrain, making it one of the more accessible dirt tr...
Learn more about Bee Canyon

Angelus Hill is an alternative route branching off 4S06 Indian Canyon, featuring mellow terrain and scenic ridgeline riding. The trail follows a hardpack dirt road with light rutting that is shallow and unlikely to trap a tire. Riders can expect gradual hill climbs and sweeping views stretching acro...
Learn more about 4S19 Angelus Hill

The easiest way to start this trail is off the 15 Freeway and Glen Helen Parkway Road to Lower Lytle Creek Divide - 3N31. There are a couple of residences on the right-hand side of the road just before the trail begins, so please be mindful of this when airing down/airing up. The trail begins shortl...
Learn more about Lower Lytle Creek Divide - 3N31

This is a level 2-rated full-width road back to Highway 243. This is the fastest and safest way back up to Highway 243. The route through Bee Canyon is currently closed. 2 areas had a boulder roll off the hill into the road. Even an H1 Hummer can make it around both of them, so they won't stop you s...
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10