Off-Road Trails Near Bass Lake, California

McCleod Flat (5S007Z) might be short on mileage, but it is high on utility, acting as the dusty red carpet to a playground of Sierra adventures. This quick, quarter-mile spur is the definition of "short and sweet," serving primarily as the access road to the Mac Flat Staging Area. It is here that th...
Learn more about McLeod Flat - FS 5S007Z

Annex Sale (FS 7S062Y) is a short, sweet, and incredibly useful out-and-back trail for anyone looking to escape the crowds near Bass Lake. Branching off the paved Highland Drive, this easy dirt two-track climbs gently through a mixed conifer forest, serving essentially as a mile-long driveway to som...
Learn more about Annex Sale - FS 7S062Y

Central Camp (FS 6S042) is the bustling, dusty artery of the Bass Lake high country. This wide two-lane dirt road serves as a critical link, climbing steadily from Malum Ridge Road on the east side of Bass Lake, passing through the historic (and still active) residential community of Central Camp, a...
Learn more about Central Camp - FS 6S042

Vista Dome (FS 6S088) is the kind of forest road that makes you want to roll down the windows and cruise. Unlike its rocky neighbors, this smooth, fast dirt and gravel road is a relaxing connector that prioritizes views over suspension travel. The trail kicks off at the stunning Bass Lake Vista, off...
Learn more about Vista Dome - FS 6S088

This is an extremely short, easy 0.6-mile spur above the forest service road of the same name (6S088 -Vista Dome) that provides direct access to high-elevation viewpoints, climbing approximately 290 feet to a granite summit. The road is a narrow two-track composed entirely of natural, ungraded dirt ...
Learn more about Vista Dome Spur - FS 22E347

This 4.6-mile forest connector is the definition of a "Sunday drive" in the woods—easy, breezy, and scenic. Francis Junction serves as a vital artery connecting two sections of Central Camp Road (FS 6S042), offering a smooth and surprisingly fast transit through a beautiful, healthy mixed-conifer fo...
Learn more about Francis Junction - FS 6S006

West Malum Ridge (FS 7S075) is a relaxed, scenic cruiser that invites you to roll down the windows and breathe in the Sierra air. This easy dirt road serves primarily as an access route to some prime real estate for dispersed campers. The trail meanders through a mixed forest of oak and pine, offeri...
Learn more about West Malum Ridge - FS 7S075

Soquel Meadow (FS 6S040) is more than just a bumpy ride in the woods; it is a strategic and scenic link in the local network. This 1.7-mile forest service road serves as a vital connector bridging the gap between the paved sections of Sky Ranch Road (6S010) and Beasore Road (FS 5S07). It allows expl...
Learn more about Soquel Meadow - FS 6S040

This is a wide, fast, and thoroughly entertaining forest loop that branches off the paved section of Sky Ranch Road (FS 6S010). Sivils Ranch isn't your standard boring fire road; it keeps drivers engaged with a constantly changing surface that shifts between loose gravel, deep silky "moondust" dirt,...
Learn more about Sivils Ranch - FS 6S011

Mill Creek (FS 6S040X) is not your average shortcut; it's a slow-motion rumble through a granite rock garden. This 2.8-mile forest road serves as a rugged connector between Beasore Road (FS 5S07) and Soquel Meadow Road (FS 6S040), dropping you out just south of Greys Mountain Campground. The definin...
Learn more about Mill Creek - FS 6S040X

If you are looking for a shortcut between Greys Mountain Road and the Sivils Ranch Loop, Bluff (FS 6S011X) is your ticket, but don't expect to get there quickly. This trail is a slow-speed "granite grinder" defined by a roadbed heavily embedded with sharp, fixed rocks that will keep your suspension ...
Learn more about Bluff Road - FS 6S011X

Sivils Mountain (FS 6S011C) is a short but spicy spur that feels less like a road and more like a tight path cut through the jungle. This trail is defined by its narrowness; it is a tight, twisty two-track that barely offers enough width for a standard Jeep to pass. Drivers will find themselves "suc...
Learn more about Sivils Mountain - FS 6S011C

This 5.5-mile route is a rough-and-tumble forest road that feels like a backcountry highway cut through granite. Connecting Soquel Meadow Road (FS 6S040) to the Beasore Loop (FS 6S010X), Greys Mountain offers a distinct change of pace from the smoother roads nearby. The trail is defined by its embed...
Learn more about Greys Mountain - FS 6S008

This trail winds along the side of Peckinpah Mountain and is generally only single vehicle-width at best in most places. The surface consists primarily of packed dirt with embedded small and larger rocks. There are a few short rocky ledge sections, and ruts and mud holes can be present along the rou...
Learn more about Seven Rocks - FS 7S94

Little Poison Meadow (FS 6S099) might sound like a warning label, and for stock vehicles, it absolutely is. This trail serves as a rugged spur off the main forest road network, acting as the gateway to the Lumberjack Trailhead and some excellent, secluded dispersed camping. But don't let the word "M...
Learn more about Little Poison Meadow - FS 6S099

This is a short, narrow point-to-point trail through a wooded area on the side of Peckinpah Mountain. The trail surface primarily consists of packed dirt with embedded small rocks. There are also ruts and rock garden areas along the route. Depending on the season and weather, there may be several sh...
Learn more about Browns Trail - FS 23E285

4WD section starts at 8.1 miles from the Start of Central Camp Road. There are some off-camber areas and a little "crawling". Water crossings, steep switchbacks, moderate rock obstacles, and amazing views at the Shuteye Peak fire watchtower. In the Bass Lake Ranger District of the Sierra National Fo...
Learn more about Shuteye Peak

This is a point-to-point trail that runs from Peckinpah Road to 23E284 and 23E285 Browns Trail. The route is at least as wide as a full-size vehicle and has a few wider sections to allow vehicles to pass each other. In some stretches, the trail runs along a steep slope on the western side of the rou...
Learn more about Pierce Mill - FS 7S68

Chipmunk (FS 6S018) is a scruffy, spirited little side-quest located in the high country above Bass Lake. Accessed via Beasore Road and a short hop along Central Camp Road, this 1.3-mile unmaintained two-track is the definition of a "bumpy little" adventure. The tread is primarily natural dirt, whic...
Learn more about Chipmunk - FS 6S018

Texas Flat (FS 6S038) is a trail with a split personality, luring drivers in with a gentle start before revealing its true colors. Beginning near the popular Texas Flat Campground, the route starts as a wide, easy forest service road off of Greys Mountain Road (FS 6S028). It starts off as suitable f...
Learn more about Texas Flat - FS 6S038

This trail winds along the side of Peckinpah Mountain and is generally only single vehicle-width at best in most places. The surface consists primarily of packed dirt with embedded small and larger rocks. There are a few short rocky ledge sections, and ruts and mud holes can be present along the rou...
Learn more about Seven Rocks - FS 7S94

This is a short, narrow point-to-point trail through a wooded area on the side of Peckinpah Mountain. The trail surface primarily consists of packed dirt with embedded small rocks. There are also ruts and rock garden areas along the route. Depending on the season and weather, there may be several sh...
Learn more about Browns Trail - FS 23E285

This is a point-to-point trail that runs from Peckinpah Road to 23E284 and 23E285 Browns Trail. The route is at least as wide as a full-size vehicle and has a few wider sections to allow vehicles to pass each other. In some stretches, the trail runs along a steep slope on the western side of the rou...
Learn more about Pierce Mill - FS 7S68

This 1-mile-long ATV trail tightly winds through the Sierra National Forest, descending almost 600 feet in elevation from east to west through a shaded section of forest lined with ferns, cedars, and pines, and goes out onto a shelfier section of trail. In general, this trail is a bit tighter and na...
Learn more about 23E284

This trail winds along the side of Peckinpah Mountain and is generally only single vehicle-width at best in most places. The surface consists primarily of packed dirt with embedded small and larger rocks. There are a few short rocky ledge sections, and ruts and mud holes can be present along the rou...
Learn more about Seven Rocks - FS 7S94

This is a point-to-point trail that runs from Peckinpah Road to 23E284 and 23E285 Browns Trail. The route is at least as wide as a full-size vehicle and has a few wider sections to allow vehicles to pass each other. In some stretches, the trail runs along a steep slope on the western side of the rou...
Learn more about Pierce Mill - FS 7S68

Peckinpah Trail (FS Route 8S009) is a rugged backcountry route in the Sierra National Forest that challenges experienced offroaders with its rocky climbs and tight forested passages. Ideal for high-clearance 4WDs, dirt bikes, and ATVs, this technical trail offers a rewarding escape for those seeking...
Learn more about Peckinpah

China Wells (FS 6S015) serves as the primary "spinal cord" of the Miami Mountain OHV system. This wide, well-graded forest service road runs north-south through the network, connecting the popular Kamook Staging Area to the southern reaches of the trail system. Unlike the tight, twisty spurs that br...
Learn more about China Wells - FS 6S015