Off-Road Trails in California

Discover off-road trails in California

Learn more about Sherman Pass 4x4 Jeep Trail
Sherman Pass 4x4 Jeep Trail

Sherman Pass 4x4 Jeep Trail

This trail is open year-round. It is a typical Sierra dirt-type trail with some rutting and snow left from previous years. The drive to the trailhead is easy, and coming from the west via Kernville…
Learn more about Sherman Pass 4x4 Jeep Trail
Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
6Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Sherwin Creek Cutoff FS 4S31
Sherwin Creek Cutoff FS 4S31

Sherwin Creek Cutoff FS 4S31

This scenic gravel and sand track runs through Inyo National Forest and lands managed by the City of Los Angeles Water District, offering an immersive backroad experience along the base of the Eastern Sierra. The…
Learn more about Sherwin Creek Cutoff FS 4S31
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
2
Best Time
Fall, Summer, Spring
Learn more about Sherwin Creek Road - FS 4S08
Sherwin Creek Road - FS 4S08

Sherwin Creek Road - FS 4S08

This hard-packed dirt and gravel road begins just outside Sherwin Creek Campground. The first part is surrounded by towering pine trees, offering a scenic drive through the forested lower elevations of the Eastern Sierra. The…
Learn more about Sherwin Creek Road - FS 4S08
Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
1
Best Time
Fall, Summer
Learn more about Sherwood Road
Sherwood Road

Sherwood Road

This is a 43-mile-long trek through dirt logging roads with spectacular views of the northern California redwoods. It is a great way to start a trip up the Mendocino coastline and on your way to…
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Total Miles
41.1
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Shirttail Canyon
Shirttail Canyon

Shirttail Canyon

The main attraction of this route is a popular swimming hole below Colfax-Foresthill Suspension Bridge. Our round-about way of getting there follows a paved road through historic Iowa Hill, then continues on a narrow, winding…
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Total Miles
24.6
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Summer
Learn more about Short Wheelbase
Short Wheelbase

Short Wheelbase

Short Wheelbase road is a gravel and sandy road that has very large washouts that dip down, a long wheelbase vehicle would have a hard time and may find themselves dragging their rear ends. These…
Learn more about Short Wheelbase
Total Miles
4.2
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Shortcut - FS 96-034
Shortcut - FS 96-034

Shortcut - FS 96-034

Open to All Vehicles (Be Cautious of Others). Shortcut is quaint while taking in the secret pocket areas found in established forest ecology. Hearing the sounds of woodpeckers and catching a glimpse of a lodgepole…
Learn more about Shortcut - FS 96-034
Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
1
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Shuteye Peak
Shuteye Peak

Shuteye Peak

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…
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Total Miles
12.1
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about Sidewinder
Sidewinder

Sidewinder

Total Miles
1.0
Tech Rating
7Difficult
Best Time
Spring, Fall
Learn more about Sidewinder Road to Picacho Wash
Sidewinder Road to Picacho Wash

Sidewinder Road to Picacho Wash

This point-to-point trail connects the popular camping area on American Girl Mine Road to Yuma. This route takes you up and down steep portions of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains. This area is scattered with old…
Learn more about Sidewinder Road to Picacho Wash
Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
5Difficult
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV
Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV

Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV

This rugged backcountry drive climbs high to the ridgeline of the Sierra Pelona. After traversing the ridge for several scenic miles, it switchbacks down the mountain's northern side, offering outstanding views of Bouquet Reservoir. Most…
Learn more about Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV
Total Miles
14.4
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Sierra Sidewinder Trail
Sierra Sidewinder Trail

Sierra Sidewinder Trail

Sierra Sidewinder Trail is an awkwardly tight trail that will help you work on balance. The turns have a weird apex to them, and most are hard to lean into due to the tight trees…
Learn more about Sierra Sidewinder Trail
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
4
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Signal Peak
Signal Peak

Signal Peak

Signal Peak is neither "easy" nor "beginner", despite being deemed so by many locals in comparison to the Fordyce trail - which also begins from the Pierce Meadow Staging Area. It is recommended to have…
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Total Miles
4.0
Tech Rating
6Moderate
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about Silver Canyon Road
Silver Canyon Road

Silver Canyon Road

Silver Canyon Road is a seasonal, one-lane road connecting Bishop, CA to the high alpine White Mountain Road and up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. It is best run east to west in late…
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Total Miles
11.4
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about Slade Canyon
Slade Canyon

Slade Canyon

This is a a fun, quick trail that leads you up into the mountains from the creek bed below. After heavy snowfall, ice could make for very dangerous conditions. If snow is present 4WD is…
Learn more about Slade Canyon
Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Sledgehammer
Sledgehammer

Sledgehammer

This trail starts at the sign that splits Jackhammer and Sledgehammer. You start by going into the canyon on sand and the trail starts to get harder as you head up. The trail has one…
Learn more about Sledgehammer
Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
9Difficult
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow spur, an out-and-back trail in the San Bernardino National Forest, offers an outstanding spot to find quiet dispersed camping after a day of rough off-roading on Heartbreak Ridge and surrounding trails. A terrific…
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Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
1
Best Time
Spring, Summer
Learn more about Slickrock Trail
Slickrock Trail

Slickrock Trail

This short route is a rare combination of difficult obstacles and great scenery. Passes through popular Union/Utica recreation area. Lots of hiking, biking and water activities at each end of the route. Street-legal vehicles only.…
Learn more about Slickrock Trail
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
7Difficult
Best Time
Summer
Learn more about Sly Creek Trail
Sly Creek Trail

Sly Creek Trail

This trail is rated as a Level 1 difficulty. It offers a relatively easy experience, characterized by a flat, well-maintained road predominantly composed of gravel and dirt. However, it should be noted that during winter,…
Learn more about Sly Creek Trail
Total Miles
16.1
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Smart Spring - 3N07Y
Smart Spring - 3N07Y

Smart Spring - 3N07Y

Smart Spring trail is an alternate access to the Cactus Flat OHV Staging Area. It is a short, little used, and maintained trail that drops down from Hwy 18 that has some short rocky sections…
Learn more about Smart Spring - 3N07Y
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
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ATV trails in California

Learn more about 16E08 Las Chiches
16E08 Las Chiches

16E08 Las Chiches

Las Chiches is a short trail rated as difficult because of its steep inclines. There are incredible views as you traverse the ridge line in La Panza Range within Los Padres National Forest. The trail…
Learn more about 16E08 Las Chiches
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about 24W09.24
24W09.24

24W09.24

This is apart of Ballinger OHV. Considered desert highlands that has junipers, pinyon pines and scrub brush. Trail 24 (24W09.24) is the main trail that ranges between sandy and hard pack and potentially muddy sections.…
Learn more about 24W09.24
Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Winter
Learn more about 3N26
3N26

3N26

Trail head starts on Angeles Crest Highway at the Vincent Gap Turnout. It is a very short trail that leads to a locked gate at Jackson Flat Camping Area. The scenery during this trail consists…
Learn more about 3N26
Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about 3N267 Fenner Saddle (4N12)
3N267 Fenner Saddle (4N12)

3N267 Fenner Saddle (4N12)

The trail starts at the third quarter into marked trail 3N26. There is shade for more than half of the trail from mature tree and a hillside for the majority of the trail. During certain…
Learn more about 3N267 Fenner Saddle (4N12)
Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
8Difficult
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
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UTV/side-by-side trails in California

Learn more about 24W09.24
24W09.24

24W09.24

This is apart of Ballinger OHV. Considered desert highlands that has junipers, pinyon pines and scrub brush. Trail 24 (24W09.24) is the main trail that ranges between sandy and hard pack and potentially muddy sections.…
Learn more about 24W09.24
Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Winter
Learn more about 3N26
3N26

3N26

Trail head starts on Angeles Crest Highway at the Vincent Gap Turnout. It is a very short trail that leads to a locked gate at Jackson Flat Camping Area. The scenery during this trail consists…
Learn more about 3N26
Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about 3N267 Fenner Saddle (4N12)
3N267 Fenner Saddle (4N12)

3N267 Fenner Saddle (4N12)

The trail starts at the third quarter into marked trail 3N26. There is shade for more than half of the trail from mature tree and a hillside for the majority of the trail. During certain…
Learn more about 3N267 Fenner Saddle (4N12)
Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
8Difficult
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about 3S120
3S120

3S120

This sandy trail takes you through the Inyo National Forest. It climbs just over 400 feet in just under two miles. There are many downed trees to navigate around. This trail is part of the…
Learn more about 3S120
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
1Easy
Best Time
Summer, Fall, Spring
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