Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Silver Lakes, California

This is the main graded trail into the OHV area. It is mostly well-graded with plenty of washboard bumps and mild transitions to make life easier for those towing trailers. There is a pit toilet…
Learn more about Stoddard Mountain Road

A sandy run from the central valley to the northern open section. The wash is wide and allows for oncoming traffic to pass. The sand is generally more on the coarse side, lending to an…
Learn more about The Main North to South Access Wash

This is the trail that takes you to the Hinkley Desert Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 2017 by artist Daniel Hawkins. The entire Lighthouse is lit at night. The route is an easy dirt…
Learn more about Hinkley Desert Lighthouse

This secluded route is perfect for a day trip or a dispersed overnighter. You'll explore lava flow regions, an opal mine, the Tuffa Cave House, and Inscription Canyon filled with petroglyphs. The route (clockwise) starts…
Learn more about Black Mountain Wilderness Route

This track starts at the Base Camp Sawtooth Canyon Camp Grounds located 15 miles south of Barstow California. You run the gas line road East to Pipkin Cindercone Road to the Volcano. There are lots…
Learn more about Pipken Cindercone

This trail heads up toward Juniper flats and splits to either Flagpole trail or continues to the flats. The valley views below are pretty great once you ascend to the ridgeline. Once you pass the…
Learn more about Japatul Road

This generally easy trail leads from the Bowens Ranch gate past the hot springs trailhead parking area and into the vast area of Juniper Flats. This large flat area up in the mountains is full…
Learn more about Juniper Flats Southern Access

This out and back trail ends at a small turnaround loop with a great view. A short side trail heads up to the old abandoned mine, which features a few flat dispersed camping spots and…
Learn more about The "Shooting Range" Quarry

This trail begins off a nice paved highway and can be somewhat easy to miss at first glance. There is an established campground a couple of miles off this trail with pit toilets, pergolas for…
Learn more about Rainbow Basin Loop

This trail is mainly a dirt road with sand in some areas, and off-camber turns with slight hills. When the trails are mainly dry in spring and summer, it is possible in 2WD. There are…
Learn more about Desert Front Trail

Nice, easy going, wide sandy trail connecting other great OHV roads. The trail runs from Grapevine Canyon Road to Bowen Ranch Road. Look for the sign for 3N14 off Grapevine Canyon Road to start the…
Learn more about Coxey Road

This wide washboard trail heads up into the hills passing private property and open BLM land. It ends at the Bowens Ranch and hot springs (more info below). There are a few dispersed camping spots…
Learn more about Bowen Ranch

Entry point to Summit Staging area. Dirt road access that is well-maintained. All vehicle types should be able to access and get through most of this road. Once you pass the Summit Staging area, the…
Learn more about Summit Staging Entry

If you're looking for a quick offshoot from the California State Route 138, this is a cool off-road section. This trail mixes easy riding with some killer views. The road is mostly smooth and well-maintained,…
Learn more about Cleghorn ROTW Access - FS 3N44

This trail tears off from the main route of Coxey into the hills. There are a few singletrack turnoffs for those looking for some adventure. There were no natural camping spots noticed on this route.…
Learn more about Psycho Ranch Turnout

This trail offers a solid mix of easy riding and great scenery. The main road stays mostly clear and well-maintained, making it friendly for 4x4s and dual sport or dirt bikes. Surface conditions are usually…
Learn more about Cleghorn CA-15 Overlook

One of Southern California's gateways to some solid off-road trails and adventure roads. Parking is limited, so don't expect a big welcoming lot. The area has a bit of a sketchy reputation, so keep your…
Learn more about Cleghorn Ridge Entry

Rainbow Trail (FS 2N59) begins inside the Silverwood Lake State Park area, where pavement gives way to dirt as you transition from the park roads onto the Forest Service route. The west-to-east run starts out…
Learn more about Rainbow Trail - FS 2N59

Pilot Rock OHV offers spectacular views and water crossings along the hills near Silverwood Lake and Arrowhead Lake. Some of the surrounding cities include Lugo, Hesperia, and Apple Valley. It can take 1 to 4…
Learn more about Pilot Rock OHV

This is a beautiful trail that leads you to the highest point within the little set of trails in this area. It also connects at the top with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Be careful…
Learn more about Gobblers Knob Spur A

Burnt Mill is mainly dirt with potential for rocks and downed trees. This trail is very easy for the most part but expects pinstripes. The first half of the trail is wide and flat. The…
Learn more about Burnt Mill

This trail is mainly dirt with shallow creek crossings. After rainfall or snow, rocks and downed trees may be potential obstacles as are deep ruts. This trail can be very easy during dry seasons as…
Learn more about 4000 Foot Road

Sawpit Connector is a connecting trail from Burnt Mill to Sawpit Canyon. It is a dirt trail. There is potential for deep ruts throughout the trail. This connector is short but scenic. Views of Silverwood…
Learn more about Sawpit Connector

This is a simple trail that leads from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Upper Lytle Creek Divide. It is an easy trail that is just a fun little uphill or downhill trail depending on direction…
Learn more about Sharpless Ranch

This is a very easy trail leading from Swarthout Canyon Road to Lytle Creek Road. No major obstacles, but the uphill portions can be a little slick. Street legal vehicles only.
Learn more about Sheep Canyon

This Single Track Moto trail is an enjoyable, easy route. It is also an excellent Moto-only cutover trail for the White Mountain 4x4 route. There are plenty of Joshua Trees to see and stunning lumpy…
Learn more about ST 2W16 MOTO

The trail consists mainly of dirt, rocks, and some roots. It is wide enough for one vehicle, but there are turnouts for passing throughout the trail. Stock height 2WD SUV and truck-type vehicles are capable…
Learn more about Upper Lytle Creek Divide

This trail can be approached from South to North or North to South. North to South will be more challenging because it is going up hill. Mainly dirt and small rocks make up the trail.…
Learn more about Mescal Canyon Road

This is a a fun, quick trail that leads you up into the mountains from the creek bed below. After heavy snowfall, ice could make for very dangerous conditions. If snow is present 4WD is…
Learn more about Slade Canyon