Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Thermalito, California

Explore All Beginner Trails Near Thermalito, California

Sly Creek Trail

This trail is rated as a Level 1 difficulty. It offers a relatively easy experience, characterized by a flat, well-maintained road predominantly composed of gravel and dirt. However, it should be noted that during winter,…
Learn more about Sly Creek Trail
Total Miles
15.2
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Indian Hill South

This trail is a wide, single-wide path that has been freshly cleared. There are a few dispersed camp areas along the trail. Along the way, you'll encounter a few washes and drainage ditches. Additionally, the…
Learn more about Indian Hill South
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Indian Creek

The trail is a wide single-wide path that meanders alongside a creek for a portion of its length. Along the creek's edge, there are several dispersed camping sites. There's even an area beyond the end…
Learn more about Indian Creek
Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Ditch Road

This wide, single-wide trail is freshly cleared and offers a scenic journey through tall, beautiful trees. There is a small, tight area where you may touch overgrown brush. Along the trail, there are several dispersed…
Learn more about Ditch Road
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Upper Indian Creek

The trail is wider, and most of the way, it can accommodate two vehicles. The west end is still single-wide and narrow, but they are clearing the trail. There are some washouts that are about…
Learn more about Upper Indian Creek
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi

Indian Creek Connector

This new trail connects Indian Creek to Upper Indian Creek, replacing the decommissioned old trail. It's relatively easy to navigate, but be cautious of the deep drainage cuts, as they can be rough. The trail…
Learn more about Indian Creek Connector
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Skinner

The trail varies in width, from single to double, and is freshly cleared. There's a sign advising against cars driving on the trail. There are drainage ditches and a couple of small washes, each less…
Learn more about Skinner
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Red Ant

This trail is more like a fire road and features a few climbs and tight turns. It has a couple of areas designated for dispersed camping and offers some views of the canyon. The trail…
Learn more about Red Ant
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Shirttail Canyon

The main attraction of this route is a popular swimming hole below Colfax-Foresthill Suspension Bridge. Our round-about way of getting there follows a paved road through historic Iowa Hill, then continues on a narrow, winding…
Learn more about Shirttail Canyon
Total Miles
23.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su

Washington Gaston

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…
Learn more about Washington Gaston
Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Huffleberry

Huffleberry is a short connector trail - 1 mile long - that connects the road 10M20 to the Berry Creek Trail. It's mostly a semi-steep descent from south to north, as it side-hills across some…
Learn more about Huffleberry
Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Acorn Connector

This is a 1-mile connecting piece of trail between the upper and lower segments of the Acorn Grotto Trail. This segment is easy, as it climbs up a hillside on a wide smooth path for…
Learn more about Acorn Connector
Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Cashman Ridge

This is one of only a few ATV trails in the Mount Hough Trail System. It's primitive and overgrown, mostly following the path of an old forest road. It climbs up a hillside next to…
Learn more about Cashman Ridge
Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Yankee Jims

This is a secondary entrance to the Shirttail Canyon trail. This trail meanders down the canyon, surrounded by mossy trees and waterfalls during certain times of the year. If coming from the Foresthill side, this…
Learn more about Yankee Jims
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Fireline

The west end of Fireline starts across the road from the Berry Creek Tie, and it makes a .7 mile long loop to the main road (403) just south of the 4 Corners staging area.…
Learn more about Fireline
Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Berry Creek Tie

This is a short connector trail in the Mount Hough trail system. The south end starts across from the Fireline trail, and after .6 miles it joins the Berry Creek Trail. It's overall very easy…
Learn more about Berry Creek Tie
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

MX Track

The MX track is located at the Four Corners Trailhead, and it makes an easy loop that is less than half a mile long. It's a more primitive track with a light layer of small…
Learn more about MX Track
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Deer Lake, Gold Valley

Trail begins with an easy climb to a high scenic ridge above beautiful Deer Lake. The route then descends into rugged Gold Valley and heads north past mines and lakes. To modify the trip, you…
Learn more about Deer Lake, Gold Valley
Total Miles
23.8
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su

Elliot Ranch Road

Elliot Ranch Road in Foresthill, California, is a rugged, unpaved route in the Tahoe National Forest, offering access to various recreational activities. It serves as the starting point for challenging trails like the Green Valley…
Learn more about Elliot Ranch Road
Total Miles
8.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Willow Lake Road 29N14

Willow Lake Road takes you to Willow Lake Campground where there are opportunities for fishing, hiking, hot springs, geysers and wildlife viewing. The road in is doable in any high clearance vehicle. When approaching the…
Learn more about Willow Lake Road 29N14
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su / Fa

Kings Crossing

The east end of this easy connector trail starts at the road intersection of 10M25 and 25N10Y, and it goes west to 403. There's a small additional piece of trail that connects to the Mount…
Learn more about Kings Crossing
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Giant Gap (FS 26-006)

Giant Gap (FS 26-006) is a beautiful 2.5-mile-long trail that starts and ends along Elliot Ranch Road (FS 26). It is part of the Foresthill OHV area and can be run in either direction. The…
Learn more about Giant Gap (FS 26-006)
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Loop 1

Loop 1 is a 6-mile-long ATV loop that begins directly from the Parker Flat Staging Area. The route is straightforward to follow with well-marked road crossings and intersections, and it offers several bailouts along the…
Learn more about Loop 1
Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Finning Mill Road

Finning Mill Road is a great off-road alternative to get to the Foresthill OHV area, instead of staying on paved roads to get there. It is a well-maintained gravel road that cuts through privately owned…
Learn more about Finning Mill Road
Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Tie 1-1

Tie 1-1 is a short 0.6 mile long ATV connector that links sections of Loop 1 and cuts off about a mile from the northwest corner of Loop 1. The route is straightforward and very…
Learn more about Tie 1-1
Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bear Valley Road Trail

Easy dirt trail with connections to the Berryessa Snow Mountain Monument area Trails with wildflower sights in Spring and the main road to The Wilbur Hot Springs. Beautiful scenery of the Bear Valley in Lake…
Learn more about Bear Valley Road Trail
Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Loop 7

Loop 7 is a very easy ATV loop in the Foresthill OHV System near Foresthill, California. The loop is just over 4 miles long, and remains wide and obstacle-free for the entire route. The trail…
Learn more about Loop 7
Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Brimstone - S24

Brimstone (FS 24) is a fairly well-maintained road that connects Finning Mill Road, and Elliot Ranch Road. It is an easy route with multiple dirt-bike trail crossings, and access to three separate staging areas (Brimstone,…
Learn more about Brimstone - S24
Total Miles
5.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Happy Valley Ridgeline

Mix of fire roads and old logging roads. The area has been scorched by fire recently. There are a lot of downed trees that cross the trail, be prepared with a chain saw or chain/rope.…
Learn more about Happy Valley Ridgeline
Total Miles
32.5
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

QTC

This is a short trail that connects Kings Crossing to the 4x4 road 10M52. It drops down from Kings Crossing with a few really wide and smooth switchbacks. It weaves through the pine trees with…
Learn more about QTC
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

ATV Trails Near Thermalito, California

Sly Creek Trail

This trail is rated as a Level 1 difficulty. It offers a relatively easy experience, characterized by a flat, well-maintained road predominantly composed of gravel and dirt. However, it should be noted that during winter,…
Learn more about Sly Creek Trail
Total Miles
15.2
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Red Ant

This trail is more like a fire road and features a few climbs and tight turns. It has a couple of areas designated for dispersed camping and offers some views of the canyon. The trail…
Learn more about Red Ant
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Washington Gaston

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…
Learn more about Washington Gaston
Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Cashman Ridge

This is one of only a few ATV trails in the Mount Hough Trail System. It's primitive and overgrown, mostly following the path of an old forest road. It climbs up a hillside next to…
Learn more about Cashman Ridge
Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Deer Lake, Gold Valley

Trail begins with an easy climb to a high scenic ridge above beautiful Deer Lake. The route then descends into rugged Gold Valley and heads north past mines and lakes. To modify the trip, you…
Learn more about Deer Lake, Gold Valley
Total Miles
23.8
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su

Elliot Ranch Road

Elliot Ranch Road in Foresthill, California, is a rugged, unpaved route in the Tahoe National Forest, offering access to various recreational activities. It serves as the starting point for challenging trails like the Green Valley…
Learn more about Elliot Ranch Road
Total Miles
8.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

UTV/Side-by-Side Near Thermalito, California

Sly Creek Trail

This trail is rated as a Level 1 difficulty. It offers a relatively easy experience, characterized by a flat, well-maintained road predominantly composed of gravel and dirt. However, it should be noted that during winter,…
Learn more about Sly Creek Trail
Total Miles
15.2
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Red Ant

This trail is more like a fire road and features a few climbs and tight turns. It has a couple of areas designated for dispersed camping and offers some views of the canyon. The trail…
Learn more about Red Ant
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Washington Gaston

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…
Learn more about Washington Gaston
Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Deer Lake, Gold Valley

Trail begins with an easy climb to a high scenic ridge above beautiful Deer Lake. The route then descends into rugged Gold Valley and heads north past mines and lakes. To modify the trip, you…
Learn more about Deer Lake, Gold Valley
Total Miles
23.8
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su

Elliot Ranch Road

Elliot Ranch Road in Foresthill, California, is a rugged, unpaved route in the Tahoe National Forest, offering access to various recreational activities. It serves as the starting point for challenging trails like the Green Valley…
Learn more about Elliot Ranch Road
Total Miles
8.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Willow Lake Road 29N14

Willow Lake Road takes you to Willow Lake Campground where there are opportunities for fishing, hiking, hot springs, geysers and wildlife viewing. The road in is doable in any high clearance vehicle. When approaching the…
Learn more about Willow Lake Road 29N14
Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
Best Time
Su / Fa