Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Yosemite Valley, California

The original road leading into Yosemite Valley, this trail first opened in 1874. Enjoy panoramic views as you climb a well-maintained Forest Service road to Pilot Peak and follow a ridgeline towards Trumbull Peak. The…
Learn more about Old Yosemite Coulterville Road

Chowchilla Mountain Road (FS 5S09) is the legendary "backdoor" into Yosemite National Park that every overland explorer dreams of finding. Starting from Harris Cut Off Road, the trail begins deceptively tame as a well-graded double-track.…
Learn more about Chowchilla Mountain Road - FS 5S090

Big Creek Fire Road - North (FS 5S048) is the northern twin of a route severed by private property boundaries, but don't let the interruption stop you--this section is a prime gateway to the high…
Learn more about Big Creek Fire Road - North - FS 5S048

This is a historically significant, long single-lane dirt road that is generally easy (Rated 1) but is NOT a through route due to closures. The surface is a mix of packed dirt, embedded rock, and…
Learn more about Ten Mile Grade - FS 4S004

The high-elevation, upper portion of Sky Ranch Road serves as a critical trunk route to multiple backcountry destinations. It is the eastern portion of the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. This two-lane road is characterized by…
Learn more about Upper Sky Ranch Road - FS 6S010A

Mount Raymond Road (FS 5S006) is a shapeshifter of a trail that offers a little bit of everything for the backcountry explorer. The journey begins innocently enough on a well-graded forest road, lulling you into…
Learn more about Mount Raymond Road - FS 5S006

Long Meadow (FS 5S022) serves as the scenic glue that holds the local trail network together, acting as a vital two-track connector between the bustling Big Sandy Campground (specifically connecting to FS 6S007) and the…
Learn more about Long Meadow - FS 5S022

Rainier Creek (FS 5S037) is a fantastic little connector that packs a surprising amount of visual drama into a short, 2.9-mile package. Think of it as the "scenic elevator" of the district. The trail surface…
Learn more about Rainier Creek - FS 5S037

The Western half of the Quartz Mountain summit loop, connecting with the Quartz Mountain Top spur (FS 5S040XD). This two-track route climbs to over 9,000 feet, offering spectacular views to the East over the Ansel…
Learn more about Prospect Mine - FS 5S040X

This is a scenic, single-lane, high-elevation road characterized by rough embedded rock sections that demand slow, careful driving. The route travels through a dense, unburned subalpine forest with heavy tree cover. This road is an…
Learn more about Iron Mountain - FS 5S092

This is an easy, two-lane Forest Service road that efficiently climbs out of the Fish Camp area and connects to the high-country Chowchilla Mountain Road network. The surface is a mixed bag of graded dirt,…
Learn more about Summit Cutoff - 5S009X

This 2.9-mile route is a tale of two trails, offering a relaxing cruise that eventually demands a bit more spatial awareness. For the majority of the drive, Dobler Meadow is a breezy, wide forest service…
Learn more about Dobler Meadow - FS 4S031

An easy, two-lane forest service road that efficiently climbs out of the Fish Camp area and connects to the high-country Chowchilla Mtn Road network. The surface is a mixed bag of graded dirt, loose gravel,…
Learn more about Summit - FS 5S009

This is a short, single-lane connector through an area of severe wildfire impact, clearly evidenced by standing silver snags and burnt timber (visible in photos). The route is tight and overgrown due to rapid post-fire…
Learn more about Ten Mile Grade C Spur - FS 4S004C

Buffin Meadow Road (FS 5S043) is the kind of trail that weeds out the casual weekenders right from the start. Branching directly off Highway 41 near the quiet hamlet of Fish Creek, this unmaintained two-track…
Learn more about Buffin Meadow Road - FS 5S043

Roundup (FS 5S022X) serves as a rugged, scenic shoelace tying the Long Meadow area to the higher elevations of Mount Raymond Road. This 1.6-mile two-track adventure offers a distinct change of scenery as it climbs…
Learn more about Roundup - FS 5S022X

This is a beautiful drive between the Groveland and Yosemite areas leading up to the (45-foot-tall) Trumbull Peak fire tower built in 1934-35. On your way to the tower, you will get some pretty breathtaking…
Learn more about Trumbull Peak

This is a short, fun, and easy dirt Jeep trail through a dense forest environment. The trail features sections of powdery ruts and packed earth that can be driven quickly, making it an excellent connector…
Learn more about Battalion - FS 21E252

This high alpine traverse is a tale of two forest service roads. It starts on the northern side as a rough, rocky scramble with lots of embedded granite that slows travel and requires focus. However,…
Learn more about Quartz Mountain - FS 5S040Y

This 1.2-mile spur is a short, intense climb that dramatically departs from the easier roads below to reach a great viewpoint of the surrounding Sierra and the valley below. Branching off Dobler Meadow, the trail…
Learn more about Signal Peak - FS 4S031A

Big Creek Fire Road - South (FS 5S048) is the rugged, rebellious twin to the northern section, severed by the same private property line but offering a distinctly punchier experience. Starting as a spur off…
Learn more about Big Creek Fire Road - South - FS 5S048

Short, steep, and straight to the point, Tijuana Camp (FS 5S041) is a quick spur trail that serves as a fun traction test for your rig. Branching off the main forest road network, this route…
Learn more about Tijuana Camp - FS 5S041

Big Sandy (FS 6S007) is a diverse and dynamic journey that evolves with every mile. Starting near Fish Camp, the route begins as a well-maintained road that hugs the riverbank, initially guiding you through the…
Learn more about Big Sandy - FS 6S007

This is a scenic, 9.5-mile single-lane dirt road that rapidly gains elevation as it climbs through the forest impacted by the 2022 Oak Wildfire. The route offers dramatic, expansive views due to the lack of…
Learn more about Footman Ridge - FS 5S025

Global Rock (FS 5S004) is a delightful scenic cruiser that serves as a backstage pass to one of the Sierra National Forest's most photogenic oddities. The trail begins as a well-graded forest road, rolling smoothly…
Learn more about Global Rock - FS 5S004

This is an easy, scenic, and well-maintained dirt/gravel road that serves as a secondary access point from Highway 41 into the historic area of Sugar Pine. The route runs through a beautiful mid-elevation forest, parallels…
Learn more about Lower Speckerman Fire - FS 5S017

This 3.1-mile connector is a true mixed bag of surfaces, offering a little bit of everything as it links Sky Ranch Road (FS 6S010) to the Beasore Loop (FS 6S010X). The trail is defined by…
Learn more about Save the Rock - FS 5S039

Section 36 (FS 6S026) is the kind of trail that doesn't demand much from you but gives back exactly what you need: peace, quiet, and a place to park your tent. This short, unassuming forest…
Learn more about Section 36 - FS 6S026

Welcome to the high-country burn scar! This short, intense two-track scrambles up through the devastating 2020 Creek Wildfire burn above 7,900 feet, towards the Ansel Adams Wilderness boundary. The trail offers a dramatic, otherworldly experience…
Learn more about Sharks - FS 5S057

East Fork Chiquito Creek (FS 5S011) is the scenic, bubbling heart of the Chiquito basin. Accessible directly from the paved scenic byway of Beasore Road, this trail functions primarily as the main loop for the…
Learn more about East Fork Chiquito Creek - FS 5S011