Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Volcano, California

Gold Note (FS 8N55) is an easy trail in the Eldorado National Forest, sitting at approximately 4,400 feet. It acts as a critical connector, linking various trails within the Gold Note trail system and providing…
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Gold Note 4WD (FS 8N91) is a moderately challenging Gold Note trail system segment. The trail is single-vehicle width and features areas of overgrown brush, adding to the difficulty. Riders will encounter deep ruts and…
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Five Corners (FS 8N54) is an easy trail that connects multiple trail systems in the area. Located at an elevation of approximately 4,100 feet, it offers several dispersed camping spots along its route, making it…
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Upper Gold Note (FS 8N57) is a relatively easy trail connecting Gold Note and North-South Road. Located at approximately 4,100 feet, the trail offers a mix of loose dirt and occasional rocky sections, making it…
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This is a nice little adventure close to town where you will switchback underneath the powerlines and make your way towards Iowa Hill. The trail is not too difficult--mostly just forest roads--but there are some…
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Nice views along a graded in the begging logging road. The road becomes ungraded but really good all the way back. Some brush, nothing to pinstripe your rig. Early season, may want to bring a…
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Forebay Road is a short but fun forest road that snakes through the trees and brush with plenty of opportunity for fun hill climbs off either side. Loosely following the high power lines, Forebay can…
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Gasparni takes you through the pine trees and brush connecting the dirt section of Forebay to the pavement leading to Brush Creek Reservoir. Nearly all of the trail is wide enough for a full-width truck,…
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Easy graded logging road in the beginning 1st mile, then it becomes decent rocky terrain, some small climbs, nothing hard. Once you take off from the green route on OnX, this is a really easy…
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As of May 26, 2023. This road is accessible by vehicles of higher clearance than sedans. This is due to the fire road are not as flat and maintained as Google Maps makes it out…
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As of May 26, 2023. This road is accessible by vehicles of higher clearance than sedans. This is because the fire roads are not as flat and maintained as Google Maps makes them out to…
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Webber Mill is an easy gravel road that follows an 8-mile section of the Pony Express Trail and is also a small part of the Northern California BDR. The trail winds along the side of…
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Lug Nut Ledge is a short but fun trail with moderate obstacles, including rocky sections, rutted sections, and water crossings. The namesake Lug Nut Ledge features a mild rock step that requires good tire placement…
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This a very easy trail and is mostly forest roads that zig-zag up the hill to the Forebay. This can be accessed from many ways whether it be from Columbia, Twain Harte, or Camp 9.…
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Latrobe Road is a scenic dirt road that passes through the rolling foothills outside the Sacramento Valley and provides ample views of the surrounding area. The trail passes through agricultural land, cattle grazing areas, and…
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This is a fun little cut-off route off the paved road between Bear River Road and Pardoe Road loop within the El Dorado National Forest. It takes you through a beautiful little forest area. Most…
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This trail is located in the El Dorado National Forest in Amador County, FS Road 8N14. It's a nicely graded gravel route for a quarter of the way in. You will cross two bridges across…
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This trail is a connector between the American Camp Lookout and the Forebay trail. Connect all these 3 trails for a fun weekend or day trip full of adventure and fishing/exploring! There is a creek…
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A 5-mile stretch of connecting forest service roads. It is a particularly useful trail if you are driving a non street legal vehicle and camping at Black Springs or off of 7N23. The trail features…
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This is a super pretty drive as it descends into the canyons and back up to the mountaintops. On your way to the lookout, you will drive through the Italian Bar/Lost Dutchman Mining Camp, which…
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This trail circumnavigates the Big Hill fire lookout tower. Make sure to pop up the short road to the lookout as this provides dramatic 360 views of the surrounding gorgeous wilderness, and there is an…
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This is a fun little road if you are in Georgetown, whether in a Jeep or on an OHV. There are a few creeks from spring runoff that make it a pretty road! It's more…
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This trail is steep, overgrown, and narrow. Typically home to lots of poison oak and fallen trees but the reward at the end is totally worth it! Keltz Mine road takes you down to the…
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Bottle Hill is a good trail to learn how your vehicle feels on dirt, rock, and mud;or to check the off-road capability of your vehicle after making modifications or repairs. It is also a nice,…
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This is a roughly graded gravel road that is maintained by the Camp Wolfeboro volunteers. It will take you down to a very primitive campground, Sand Flat, along the North Fork of the Stanislaus River…
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This is a smooth, out-and-back dirt trail that's single lane. The trail has very little change in elevation and can be driven with a 2WD SUV. A wide turn-around circle is located at one mile…
Learn more about Wrights Lake Rd - 11N26A

This is NOT the Rubicon Trail. This is US Forestry Service fire road route number 13N66, known as Rubicon Road located in the Volcanoville area of Georgetown, California. It is located inside the Mosquito Fire…
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From the Highway 4 side, this all-day adventure is on ungraded logging roads. They still log here on these roads, so please drive slowly and be aware of logging trucks possibly coming at you. You…
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Fraser Flat Road East is a 7-mile point-to-point trail that climbs over 300 feet and drops just over 300 feet. The trail is made of white crushed gravel and is 1 to 1.5 vehicles wide.…
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Cody Lake trail is a short out/back jaunt to a high alpine Sierra Nevada lake that is remote and beautiful. The trail ends overlooking the lake and requires a very steep hiking descent to reach…
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