Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Soda Springs, California

Summit Lake Trail is a 2.6-mile out-and-back trail located near Truckee, California. The start of the trail is relatively smooth as it winds through Johnson Canyon, with a great view of Donner Lake when you…
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Meadow Lake Road makes a loop from Webber Lake to Jackson Meadows, with Meadow Lake situated in the middle. The section that begins just past Webber Lake is a fairly well-maintained, graded road used by…
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This short 1.8-mile point-to-point trail connects Rattlesnake Road and Signal Hill Trail. Service vehicles typically use this trail to access the Signal towers on top of Signal Hill. It is also the back way out…
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This 14.9 mile point-to-point trail takes you pass Lake Valley Reservoir up Monumental Ridge and towards Texas Hill. This trail has great views of the Big Valley Canyon. The trail is mostly single vehicle width…
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Bear Valley Loop Trail is a beginner trail located off Hwy 89 starting right at "Little Truckee Summit". The loop takes off and ends at the Bear Valley Campground. Head in on Cottonwood Road off…
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From Highway 89 near the Sagehen Creek Trailhead, this easy route leads to Stampede Reservoir, with options to continue to Dog Valley, Boca Reservoir, or down to Crystal Peak Mine. The trail starts wide enough…
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Open to All Highway Legal Vehicles 4/1-12/31, Upper Portion Open to ALL Vehicles 4/1-12/31 (Be Cautious of Others). Robinson Flat is a gravel road that connects to Foretell Divide Road at the Robinson Flat Campground.…
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Old Reno Road offers a scenic and easy off-road experience, particularly during the summer months. Starting from Road 886 near Highway 89, this trail transitions into Boca Springs Road, connecting to an extensive network of…
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Lake Shore offers beautiful views of French Meadows Reservoir, along with some great secret camp spots above the rest on a gravel road. There is no reception here, but there are numerous hiking trails, a…
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Begin either from Boca Campground or off Highway 89 / 886--either way, this flat route is just the start of what's out there to explore. Following well-maintained Forest Service roads, it's a quick, easy side…
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This trail begins just east of Bowman Lake at the Jackson Creek Campground. The trail is marked with a few signs and features a large pullout at the starting point. It offers a bumpy, rocky…
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This short 1.9-mile out-and-back trail takes you out to an old fire watch outpost. The structure has been removed and only the footings are left. The view from the point is breathtaking as you can…
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Meadow Lake Road is the continuation of the Bowman Lake Road trail. The scenery is breathtaking and the camping and recreational opportunities are plentiful. This area of the Sierra Nevada usually is snow-free sometime in…
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This trail is perfect for beginners and is relatively smooth, with shady roads and a small water crossing. It's pretty scenic and relaxing. Camping is available, but there was a fire restriction when I was…
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Boca Hill Trail is a 2.5 mile trail. The trail passes the peak of Boca Hill, a great place to stop and get some pictures from above I-80 with many peaks in the background. The…
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Sawmill Lake Trail begins with a gentle climb from the Faucherie Lake Trail. As you crest the first hill, you'll catch your first glimpse of Sawmill Lake. There are campsites on the lakeside of the…
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Open to Highway Legal Vehicles 4/1-12/31. Driving along this gravel road, taking in the views of various canyons, quail, pine, and chipmunks amongst the manzanitas. While it may be easy to glance at the shimmering…
Learn more about Canyon Deep Road/Cavanah Deep - FS 44

The first part of the trail is paved. About 2/3rds of the way in, it becomes rocky and dirty. High clearance is recommended. There is one tricky hairpin about 1 mile from camp. Other than…
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Open to ALL Vehicles 4/1-12/31 (Be Cautious of Others). Last Chance Road co-mingles with a main motorcycle trail for the Tahoe National Forest, which leads either to Michigan Bluff, China Wall, or even over to…
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Bear Lake is a great place to camp or fish located near lake Tahoe. The road to get to Bear Lake has many places to pull off with amazing views. You can get to Bear…
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Open to All Vehicles (Be Cautious of Others). Pine Nut offers beautiful views of Pine Nut Canyon, ending at the intersection of two hiking trails. Don't be alarmed by federal mining claims in the area,…
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As you begin from Verdi, the paved road is great, then you begin the uphill, which is a very hard-packed 1.5 1.5-wide road with some small, sharp, pointed rocks. As you get closer to the…
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The trail begins just beyond the charming town of Washington, nestled among towering, lush green pine trees. Shortly after the town, the well-maintained gravel road winds through dense forests of pine and spruce trees, traversing…
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Fulda Ridge (FS-19-028) is an easy, and well maintained trail just off of I-80 at Nyack. It's easy to get to and has cellular signal along the majority of the trail. It is a great…
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Open to All Vehicles (Be Cautious of Others). Shortcut is quaint while taking in the secret pocket areas found in established forest ecology. Hearing the sounds of woodpeckers and catching a glimpse of a lodgepole…
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Open to All Vehicles (Be Cautious of Others). The Jack Robinson Trail ends at a hidden area to explore, along with nearby hiking trails. Red Star Point is a marvel to look upon while looking…
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This loop trail offers wide panoramas of endless mountain forests and picturesque views of multiple reservoirs all along an easily traversed dirt road. An exciting surprise awaits at the midway point of the trail--the Crystal…
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This trail features a narrow path with a mix of terrains. The trail is lush with cedar and pine trees, there is a section of cleared trees to tuck away and camp. Big Tree Picnic…
Learn more about Bear Spring - FS 96-034-02

Open to Highway Legal Vehicles Yearlong, except during Hunting Season; 9/22-11/04 when ALL Vehicles are allowed. (Be Cautious of Others). First half is a dirt path with light to no tree due to a recent…
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Ellis Lake trail is just a spur trail off Ellis Peak Trail. This trail takes you to Ellis Lake where you will find camping, hiking, and great views. It is important to note that this…
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