Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Virginia Lakes, California

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 a scenic, moderately rough two-track that winds through pine forest and open high-country terrain, offering expansive views and a peaceful escape from more crowded off-road areas. It's a one-lane route with rocky and somewhat bumpy surfaces, but no true obstacles, making...
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 11-mile out-and-back trail starts at Dunderberg Mill Road and climbs over 400 feet over just over 5.4 miles. It is a very popular, well-maintained trail. The trail starts directly on a shelf road, so use caution from the beginning. The route follows Green Creek but runs several hundred feet abo...
Learn more about Green Creek Road - FS 32146

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 runs parallel to Mono Lake, providing 360-degree views of all the surrounding mountains. You can see the peaks of the Sierra Nevadas, including Mount Dana, Mount Gibbs, and Tioga Peak, which form the Sierra Crest to the west. You can also see the volcanic features of the Mono Craters to t...
Learn more about FS 2N19

Scenic Eastern Sierra route beginning 1.4 miles off Highway 395 via Dunderberg Mill Road. The trail features a packed sand and dirt surface with embedded rocks throughout. It traverses varied terrain, including dry wash crossings, off-camber sections, and interesting rock formations with excellent m...
Learn more about Dogtown Spur A

This route runs parallel to Mono Lake, starting on Forest Service Road 2N43 and ending on Highway 167. The trail offers 360-degree views of all the surrounding mountains and Mono Lake throughout the journey. At 0.75 miles from the southwest entrance, the terrain features deeper sand, and at 1 mile i...
Learn more about Wadford Springs Cutoff - FS 2N47

This well-graded Forest Service road takes you along a cliff overlooking the 120 below. It offers stunning views of the East Sierras into Yosemite National Park. After the cliff, it meanders into the forest and ends at the Roberts Environmental Station (Private). You will see views of Mono Lake on t...
Learn more about IN05 to Roberts Station

This 16-mile out-and-back trail starts on Dunderberg Mill Road, one mile from Highway 395. The sand and gravel trail begins very wide with stunning views from the beginning of the Eastern Sierra mountains, including various peaks. There is a one-lane bridge 1.5 miles in as it crosses Green Creek; yi...
Learn more about Upper Summer Meadows Road - FS 32144

This scenic 3-mile out-and-back trail climbs nearly 300 feet in just over 2 miles and runs parallel to Twin Lakes Road, offering a quiet dirt alternative to the pavement. The route begins just past the Twin Lakes area within the Twin Lakes Recreation Area. The trail is sandy and one vehicle wide, li...
Learn more about LaBrosse Creek Road - FS 32176

Starting from the Bodie Rd, this route drops almost 900 feet and climbs over 300 feet in just over 6.5 miles. The trail immediately starts cutting through the canyon with low brush and rolling hills, and the area is used for grazing so watch out for cattle. At mile 1.8, you reach the summit where yo...
Learn more about Coyote Springs Road

This short track is accessed from Highway 395. It is a sandy, easy road. Horse Meadow is a pretty meadow that offers beautiful views of Eastern Sierra. Currently, the trail is closed 1.23 miles down due to seasonal trail damage. You can hike the rest of the trail if you want to explore. The trail ca...
Learn more about Horse Meadows

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 a scenic, moderately rough two-track that winds through pine forest and open high-country terrain, offering expansive views and a peaceful escape from more crowded off-road areas. It's a one-lane route with rocky and somewhat bumpy surfaces, but no true obstacles, making...
Learn more about Copper Mountain

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 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 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 a scenic, moderately rough two-track that winds through pine forest and open high-country terrain, offering expansive views and a peaceful escape from more crowded off-road areas. It's a one-lane route with rocky and somewhat bumpy surfaces, but no true obstacles, making...
Learn more about Copper Mountain

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 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