Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Squirrel Mountain Valley, California

A long scenic route crosses the sprawling high desert from Jawbone OHV Area, climbs above 8,000 feet across the Piute Mountain Range inside Sequoia National Forest, and then descends quickly to Lake Isabella. There are…
Learn more about Jawbone to Lake Isabella

To get to this trail, you will first need to come down Black Gulch Jeep Trail heading West from Hwy 155. You will continue driving until the pavement turns to dirt at the last public…
Learn more about Kern River Getaway - 27S30

This is a fun loop that starts off with SC39 and SC47. It begins with long downhill sections of s-turns and the trail is several feet below the main desert floor with Yuccas on both…
Learn more about Hanging Rock Loop

Climbing over a thousand feet in just under 3 miles along a shelf road, this route delivers dramatic and stunning views of valleys below from elevated vantage points. Spring transforms the landscape with amazing blooming…
Learn more about BLM SC228

This route consists of two main trails, SC47 and SC328. The trail can be accessed on the West from Kelso Valley Road and from the East at the actual Dove Springs. My route includes the…
Learn more about Dove Springs Access Trail

This is a fun winding trail that starts right off of SC173 and quickly drops down into a soft wide sand wash. The trail narrows with a tight s-turn between large boulders then opens up…
Learn more about Alphie Springs Wash

This route takes you from the main Dove Springs staging area to the Actual Dove Springs. It follows SC103 all the way and changes between a dirt road and a double-wide trail. It has sections…
Learn more about Dove Springs Canyon Road

This trail allows you to bypass the steep hill climbs leaving the main Dove Springs OHV staging area and climbing up above the valley floor. The trail is a hard pack road with some minor…
Learn more about LA Aqueduct Road to Alphie Springs Road

This 6-mile sandy road starts at Jawbone Canyon Road. It travels north through sandy washes. Off-camber, deep sand, and ruts are the main obstacles. Then it is a steep climb on an uneven and winding…
Learn more about SC176 Gold Canyon Road

This is a half paved, half gravel pass that cuts a shorter route through from Johnsondale towards Nobe Young Falls. This relaxed path passes by a smaller waterfall and is accessible by nearly all vehicles.…
Learn more about Last Chance to Lloyd Meadow

This is a fun route in Indian Wells Canyon. This route includes the Nadeau Magnolia Mine and an amazing rocky peak overlooking the canyon below. This is the northern route that takes you through several…
Learn more about Buena Vista Canyon

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

This is an easy wide-open access road across from Troy Meadow Campground that leads to some great single track trails in the area. It's a smooth, well-maintained road. It does have some sandy areas to…
Learn more about Sam Lewis

A nice, easy, and wide single track that has a really nice flow to it, this trail connects Troy Meadow Campground with Fish Creek Campground, another super fun single track in the area. There will…
Learn more about Campground Connector

This is another fun scenic single track that comes equipped with a couple of rock sections and some sand. There are a couple of creek crossings, one of which could get a little spicy with…
Learn more about Beach Ridge Trail

The Iron Canyon Scenic Trail is an easy-going dirt trail that winds its way around the Red Cliffs of Red Rock Canyon State Park. It's very easy-going as there are no major obstacles to worry…
Learn more about Iron Canyon Scenic Trail

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

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

The Dutch Cleanser Mine in Red Rock Canyon State Park is the perfect place to end your adventure or have lunch when exploring the area. The Mine is massive as you can walk in and…
Learn more about Abandoned Old Dutch Cleanser Mine Trail

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

Climbing and dropping 300 feet in less than 2 miles, this shelf road clings to a cliff, delivering stunning views of the valley below, spreading to Ridgecrest, mountains in Death Valley, and beyond. The trail…
Learn more about Sand Canyon Cliff Road - BLM 117

Starting in Sand Canyon, this single-wide narrow trail wastes no time climbing a shelf road above the canyon floor, creating dramatic views. Sandy surface with loose rocks forms the roadbed as you navigate various switchbacks…
Learn more about BLM 116

Dirt road for easy access to some great views of Red Rock Canyon. The climb into the canyon from Redrock Randsburg Road is graded nicely and maintained, with only a short section or two of…
Learn more about El Paseo Road

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

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

This is another great trail here--a nice wide single track winding through the forest. It passes through a couple of nice meadows and there are quite a few creek crossings to look out for. The…
Learn more about Albinita

This loose sand trail transitions to rockier surface as you climb a shelf road along a cliff up the mountain edge. Climbing 600 feet in just under 2 miles creates serious grades with stunning views…
Learn more about BLM SE115

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

The trail is single-car wide with short climbs and descents. This is a short trail with great views from multiple locations of the trail. This is the backway to the William Henry Schmidt Tunnel. It's…
Learn more about Back Way to Schmidt Tunnel