Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Virginia Lakes, California

This wide, fine-dirt trail climbs up and over the hills with expansive views of the surrounding mountains, lake, and valley. Ruts remain under 2 inches deep, with only minor rock gardens and plenty of room for vehicles to pass. Camping is plentiful and scenic throughout. Around 0.2 miles, a level hi...
Learn more about Pond Spur Road

This trail starts just off Virginia Lakes Road, which is open seasonally from late May to mid-October as weather allows. The gravel, well-graded trail runs along Virginia Creek and crosses over it a few times throughout the journey. This trail is part of the East Lower Virginia Creek Campground, fea...
Learn more about Castle Rock Road - FS 32139

This trail is composed of packed dirt and sand with lots of small rocks embedded in the surface. Near the top, vegetation is sparse, likely due to high winds, but the views of the Virginia Lakes area, surrounding mountains, the Bodie Mountains, and Highway 395 below are spectacular. The trail quickl...
Learn more about Dog Creek Loop

The Copper Mountain trail is an exceptional high-country route designed for scenic-minded offroaders looking for a peaceful escape with sweeping panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada. This roughly 8-mile journey begins off Virginia Lakes Road and ascends from 8,285 feet to a peak elevation of 9,816 f...
Learn more about Copper Mountain

This seasonally graded gravel road offers sweeping views of Mono Lake and the Eastern Sierra, with unique boulder formations, old farmhouses, and the historic Conway Ranch along the route. In season, yellow wildflowers add vibrant color as the road descends 362 feet toward the lake. The road begins ...
Learn more about Conway Ranch Road

This narrow dirt-and-gravel trail travels along the hillside with direct views of Mono Lake and the surrounding mountain range. Overgrown vegetation is present, although pinstriping is generally avoidable with careful driving. Rock gardens are common throughout, with rocks ranging from 4–8 inches in...
Learn more about FS 2N12

This narrow, fine-dirt trail begins near Mill Creek and travels deeper into the surrounding forest and hills. Although there is little room for vehicles to pass, several pullouts are available along the route. More than three pullouts provide places to park and walk down to Mill Creek. Rock gardens ...
Learn more about FS 2N14

This narrow, rocky trail begins at the end of a neighborhood cul-de-sac and immediately descends into frequent rock gardens. Within the first 100 yards, an 8-inch-deep water crossing contains rocks measuring 10–12 inches in diameter. After the crossing, the route climbs uphill through an extended ro...
Learn more about FS 2N105

This fine dirt-and-gravel trail branches directly from the highway, with a difficult-to-spot entrance next to a National Forest visitor information sign. The beginning is wide enough for vehicles to pass, with some vegetation but generally avoidable pinstriping. Scenic views of Mono Lake and the sur...
Learn more about FS 2N104

This fine dirt-and-gravel trail begins in the Mono City neighborhood, with BLM access through an empty lot between two homes. The route transitions from BLM land into Inyo National Forest around 0.8 miles, offering scenic views of Mono Lake and the surrounding mountains along the way. The trail is v...
Learn more about Wilson Creek

This 5-mile track begins just north of the Mono Lake Visitor Center and immediately delivers sweeping views of Mono Lake and its unique tufas. The road starts paved, but by mile 1.2, it transitions into gravel. Along the way, you’ll notice remnants of a recent wildfire that still mark the landscape....
Learn more about Cemetery Road

This narrow trail branches directly from the main paved highway, and the entrance can be difficult to spot, so use caution when exiting the highway. The route travels toward Dechambeau Ranch over very fine sand, with initial ruts around 2–3 inches deep and scenic views of Mono Lake and the surroundi...
Learn more about Dechambeau Pipeline

This route is accessed off Cemetery Road, just east of Highway 395, and offers some of the best views of Mono Lake and its islands, along with great views of the Eastern Sierras and the Bodie Mountains. The area is open to bicycles and vehicles, but you cannot go off-road or drive on any hiking trai...
Learn more about Black Point - FS 2N42

This extremely narrow trail follows fine, loose dirt along and over the hillside, offering expansive views of Mono Lake. Ruts begin around 2–5 inches deep, while heavy, overgrown vegetation makes pinstriping unavoidable. Toward the end, the surface becomes extremely sandy, increasing the difficulty ...
Learn more about FS 2N106

This rugged 6-mile trail drops about 700 feet before climbing nearly 1,600 feet, offering a dynamic ride through the historic Gold Rush area called Dog Town. It begins off Dunderberg Mill Road, traveling below Dunderberg Mill Road. The trail is mostly sandy and about a vehicle and a half wide, lined...
Learn more about Dog Creek Valley

This very narrow trail offers scenic views of the lake and surrounding mountains throughout the entire route. There is little room for vehicles to pass, and overgrown vegetation makes pinstriping likely. Camping along the route provides excellent scenery, with lake and mountain views from the surrou...
Learn more about Dog Creek West

This is a simple route of hard-packed dirt and sand that follows the line of power poles as it cuts through Dog Creek Valley. The track is a single-vehicle width, with a few mild ruts but nothing technical. Along the way, you’ll be treated to wide-open views of the Eastern Sierra and the Bodie Mount...
Learn more about Pole Line Cutoff

This trail is part of the old Green Creek Road and serves as a short but fun off-road challenge, perfect for those new to four-wheeling. The route climbs almost 200 feet in just under a mile, running along Green Creek throughout the journey. Starting from Dunderberg Mill Road, it quickly drops into ...
Learn more about Old Green Creek Road

This trail is a side spur trail off of the Log Cabin Mine Ridge Trail. The trail takes you to a spot with 360 views of Mono Lake, the surrounding Eastern Sierra Peaks, and into Yosemite National Park. It is a rocky and bumpy track. Be cautious of a few unknowing dips while climbing to the top.
Learn more about 1N03C

This route is a dirt and sand trail with lots of rocks embedded along the path. The trail climbs over 700 feet in just more than 1.5 miles and is just over one vehicle wide throughout most of the journey. It's lined with heavy brush and heavy grass, offering beautiful views of the surrounding hills,...
Learn more about Cameron Canyon

This wide, fine-dirt trail climbs up and over the hills with expansive views of the surrounding mountains, lake, and valley. Ruts remain under 2 inches deep, with only minor rock gardens and plenty of room for vehicles to pass. Camping is plentiful and scenic throughout. Around 0.2 miles, a level hi...
Learn more about Pond Spur Road

This trail is composed of packed dirt and sand with lots of small rocks embedded in the surface. Near the top, vegetation is sparse, likely due to high winds, but the views of the Virginia Lakes area, surrounding mountains, the Bodie Mountains, and Highway 395 below are spectacular. The trail quickl...
Learn more about Dog Creek Loop

The Copper Mountain trail is an exceptional high-country route designed for scenic-minded offroaders looking for a peaceful escape with sweeping panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada. This roughly 8-mile journey begins off Virginia Lakes Road and ascends from 8,285 feet to a peak elevation of 9,816 f...
Learn more about Copper Mountain

This narrow dirt-and-gravel trail travels along the hillside with direct views of Mono Lake and the surrounding mountain range. Overgrown vegetation is present, although pinstriping is generally avoidable with careful driving. Rock gardens are common throughout, with rocks ranging from 4–8 inches in...
Learn more about FS 2N12

This wide, fine-dirt trail climbs up and over the hills with expansive views of the surrounding mountains, lake, and valley. Ruts remain under 2 inches deep, with only minor rock gardens and plenty of room for vehicles to pass. Camping is plentiful and scenic throughout. Around 0.2 miles, a level hi...
Learn more about Pond Spur Road

This trail is composed of packed dirt and sand with lots of small rocks embedded in the surface. Near the top, vegetation is sparse, likely due to high winds, but the views of the Virginia Lakes area, surrounding mountains, the Bodie Mountains, and Highway 395 below are spectacular. The trail quickl...
Learn more about Dog Creek Loop

The Copper Mountain trail is an exceptional high-country route designed for scenic-minded offroaders looking for a peaceful escape with sweeping panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada. This roughly 8-mile journey begins off Virginia Lakes Road and ascends from 8,285 feet to a peak elevation of 9,816 f...
Learn more about Copper Mountain

This narrow dirt-and-gravel trail travels along the hillside with direct views of Mono Lake and the surrounding mountain range. Overgrown vegetation is present, although pinstriping is generally avoidable with careful driving. Rock gardens are common throughout, with rocks ranging from 4–8 inches in...
Learn more about FS 2N12