Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Thousand Palms, California

Wind your way up this canyon that is primarily sand and small rocks. There are a few extra credit options that do have bypasses, except for one or two obstacles at the end. Anything other…
Learn more about Berdoo Canyon

This trail takes you to Eureka Peak, which is a mountain top viewpoint allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the area from a high elevation. There are hiking trails throughout this area and…
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This is a fantastic family adventure. The entire trail is located inside Joshua Tree National Park. It is a long loop trail that is very scenic with beautiful vistas, interesting rock formations, ancient volcanic lava…
Learn more about Geology Tour Road

Santa Rosa Truck Trail is an out-and-back well-maintained fire road that climbs to over 8000ft. The lower parts are smooth and wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other. As it rises in elevation…
Learn more about Santa Rosa Truck Trail 7S02

Uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks and sand. Muddy conditions should be expected during the rainy season. The trail is primarily one vehicle wide with some portions wide enough for passing oncoming traffic. Steep…
Learn more about 6S13 - Thomas Mountain Road

Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood is a trail that scales Rouse Ridge/Thomas Mountain using Cottonwood (6S18) and Thomas Mountain Rd (6S13). This trail offers stunning views in all directions as you ascend and descend the mountain.…
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This trail connects the Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood trail to the Thomas Mountain Campground via the western end of Thomas Mountain Road. During dry months, the trail is an easily passable dirt road, requiring only…
Learn more about Thomas Mountain West Approach

San Jacinto Ridge is a two-way trail running East to West between the Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Highway (SR 243) and Bee Canyon Road (FS 5S07) in the San Bernardino National Forest. Comprised of mostly hard-pack dirt,…
Learn more about San Jacinto Ridge Trail (FS 5S09)

This is an easy trail that most stock vehicles could tackle. There are some really beautiful views, and the high point is the lookout, which gives a breathtaking view of the sunset. There are 5…
Learn more about Black Mountain Road

This well-maintained fire road takes you up to boulder basin group campsite. On the way there, you'll see some turn-outs for rock climbing and overlanding. During the winter months, trails may be impassable due to…
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Painted Canyon is a gorgeous landmark outside of Mecca, California. At the entrance to the road leading to the canyon, there is a warning sign that says "Passable for 4-Wheel Drive Vehicles Only". At the…
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Rockhouse Canyon Road is a 19.8-mile out-and-back trail rated 3 of 10 within the California Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The trail is restricted to street-legal vehicles. The trail starts at the end of the Clark…
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Rouse Hill is a ridgeline trail with tremendous west and east views. This trail is predominately hard-packed dirt with a loose top layer. It can be a bit sandy in some sections but that will…
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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…
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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…
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Roadrunner Rut is an easy dirt road that climbs into the jumbo boulder gardens and skirts along Black Lava Butte. It changes its name to BLM S1421 as it crosses into BLM lands and descends…
Learn more about Roadrunner Rut - BLM S1421

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…
Learn more about East Indian Canyon 4S10

This is an out and back route that ends at a nice hike and small campground. Along the way, you'll encounter a small water crossing or two, depending on the time of year and rain.…
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Beautiful views of the valley below and mountains above. There are lots of switchbacks and about 600 feet of elevation gain in just a few miles of driving. The second half of the trail was…
Learn more about Red Mountain OHV Trail

New Dixie Mine Road runs West from Hwy 247 at Flamingo Heights into an unnamed valley that splits two separate sections of the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness. This 8.5-mile road is generally an easy drive with…
Learn more about New Dixie Mine Road - BLM C2330

Hidden in the Mecca Hills just South of Joshua Tree National Park is a fun little trail that winds you through tight canyon washes surrounded by high vertical cliffs of up to 40 feet. The…
Learn more about Little Box Canyon Meccacopia Loop

This trail offers a fantastic introduction to desert driving, primarily wide enough for two cars and framed by Joshua Trees. While there are a few soft sand patches to be aware of, the ride is…
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This is the Mecca Orocopia Trail, a connection to the Little Box Canyon Meccacopia Loop. This is an easy dirt road trail where you can admire the beautiful views of the Orocopia mountains. There is…
Learn more about Mecca Orocopia Jeep Trail

This short half-mile spur legally enters the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness to reach a spring. The road surface is dirt and sand. The land on both sides of the road is wilderness. Stay on the established…
Learn more about Spur - BLM C2315

This hidden gem is part of Anza Borrego Desert State Tark. From the Boreggo Salton Seaway turn into Rockhouse Canyon Road. The sign at the intersection says "no exit" but the road is long and…
Learn more about Clark Dry Lake

This short dead-end spur accesses an overlook that provides territorial views into the valley below and the Bighorn Mountains Wilderness on both sides of the New Dixie Mine Road. It starts out as an easy…
Learn more about Spur - BLM C2317

Beautiful trail overlooking the neighboring town of Banning and the surrounding mountains. The deserted mountainscape is chock-full of secluded camp spots with some wind cover and appears to be used for shooting occasionally. The trail…
Learn more about Idyllwild Mountain Road

This short, sandy 1-mile spur road is broken into two separate numbered segments - BLM C2319 AND BLM C2352. It accesses a small parking area at the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness boundary and a single remote…
Learn more about Spur Roads - BLM C2319 - C2352

Bighorn Connector is a well-used trail that connects the ends of adjacent BLM roads that terminate near the Bighorn Wilderness boundary to create a series of interconnected loops. It is an easy combination of sandy…
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BLM #C3524 is a mellow, sandy road that climbs from Highway 18 up into the boulders at the NE corner of the Bighorn Wilderness boundary. It is only rated a two because of a couple…
Learn more about BLM C3524