Bull Creek Road North

Trail Overview

This trail starts just off Briceburg Road (FS 2S05) and ends at Old Yosemite Coulterville Road. The road then becomes paved. The route climbs almost 300 feet and drops almost 500 feet over 3.5 miles of varied landscape. As a county-maintained road, only street-legal vehicles are permitted on this route, making it accessible to a wider range of vehicles than typical off-road trails. The trail runs along another shelf road positioned just above a creek, providing pleasant water features and scenic creek-side driving. The trail width alternates between one to two vehicles wide throughout most of the journey, with adequate space for passing when needed. At mile 1, the route continues climbing while the forest opens up to reveal nice views of the valley below, offering scenic rewards for the gradual ascent. After mile 4, the trail character changes as it alternates between farmland and forest land, featuring short stretches of paved sections near the farms that require respectful behavior around private property. Following the second farm, the trail opens up to 2 to 2.5 vehicles wide and becomes well-graded and smooth, though dusty conditions persist throughout the route. Established campgrounds are located just off the trail, providing convenient overnight options, and the road provides access to the Bull Creek OHV area.

Photos of Bull Creek Road North

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Difficulty

This trail receives a difficulty rating of 1, indicating it is suitable for all street-legal vehicles and drivers of any experience level. The county maintenance, well-graded surface, and manageable elevation changes make this an excellent choice for beginners or those seeking easy access to the backcountry with standard vehicles.

History

Bull Creek Road near Coulterville, California, was established as the "Coulterville Toll Road" in 1874, providing the first improved road to Yosemite Valley. It was a significant improvement over a previous county road, serving continuously as a route into the park since its opening. Although its name has been associated with the historic Coulterville Toll Road, there is no history connecting it to wild bison (bulls), longhorn cattle, or redwood forests, which are associated with other Bull Creek locations.

Technical Rating

Bull Creek Road North can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV