Off-Road Trails in California

Discover off-road trails in California

Learn more about Cerro Gordo Backdoor
Cerro Gordo Backdoor

Cerro Gordo Backdoor

This little-used route provides access to the Cerro Gordo mining ghost town from Death Valley. The route follows White Talc Road from Saline Valley Road in Death Valley, meandering along the valley floor at roughly…
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Total Miles
16.6
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Chepo Saddle 6S13
Chepo Saddle 6S13

Chepo Saddle 6S13

This is a Sierra foothill road near Bass Lake, which is not visible on this trek. It is a clear dirt road with very little pinstriping. Some rutting but very manageable. There are several ways…
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Total Miles
12.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about Childago Canyon Road
Childago Canyon Road

Childago Canyon Road

The road is typically graded depending on the time of the year. It's mostly crushed dirt with a few small broken rocks along the trail. The east-to-west trail can be run in either direction. The…
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Total Miles
10.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Fall
Learn more about China Lake Border Run
China Lake Border Run

China Lake Border Run

A challenging trail that leads to the china lake military base fence. The trail features sandy sections, a loose rocky hill, and many sharp rocks that could puncture a sidewall. There are a few dispersed…
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Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Winter, Fall, Spring
Learn more about Chloride City
Chloride City

Chloride City

This rough and rocky cliff road has numerous spurs accessing the mine sites around historic Chloride City requires 4x4 and high clearance. That said, it is only a moderately challenging trail. It also has numerous…
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Total Miles
5.6
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall
Learn more about Chloride Cliffs Road
Chloride Cliffs Road

Chloride Cliffs Road

Chloride Cliffs Road starts off of Daylight Pass Road in Death Valley National Park and climbs over one-thousand feet up onto the Chloride Cliffs before descending again towards the CA/NV border. It changes its name…
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Total Miles
9.2
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall
Learn more about Chocolate Thunder
Chocolate Thunder

Chocolate Thunder

This is a very short trail; however, this is where the crowds hang out to watch the carnage. The canyon is littered with bonus lines and Saturday night mayhem. The main run has one basic…
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Total Miles
0.1
Tech Rating
9 Difficult
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Cholla Chaos
Cholla Chaos

Cholla Chaos

Holy forest of jumping cacti. They are almost impossible to avoid. There are pieces lying alongside the trail, taunting you, grabbing your boot as you go by. Aside from all that sticky mess, the trail…
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Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Winter, Fall, Spring
Learn more about Choose Your Own Adventure Whoops
Choose Your Own Adventure Whoops

Choose Your Own Adventure Whoops

Dirt trail that runs parallel to a set of private "active" train tracks. The beginning of this route off of Trona road is wide and used to be paved. It narrows quickly and turns into…
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Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Winter, Fall, Spring
Learn more about City Highline Road
City Highline Road

City Highline Road

This non-technical dirt road follows the power lines along the hills of San Francisquito Canyon. There are some neat views of the California aqueduct, and tons of little side roads. Most of the side roads…
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Total Miles
9.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Clark Dry Lake
Clark Dry Lake

Clark Dry Lake

This hidden gem is part of Anza Borrego Desert State Tark. From the Boreggo Salton Seaway turn into Rockhouse Canyon Road. The sign at the intersection says "no exit" but the road is long and…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fall, Winter, Summer, Spring
Learn more about Clarks Summit
Clarks Summit

Clarks Summit

Explore the back side of Snow Summit Ski Area in the picturesque San Bernardino National Forest. The upper portion of Clarks Summit offers spectacular scenic lookouts and connects with Skyline Drive (Trail #73), which leads…
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Total Miles
29.5
Tech Rating
5 Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall
Learn more about Clavey Crossing to Bourland Meadow
Clavey Crossing to Bourland Meadow

Clavey Crossing to Bourland Meadow

This route has creek crossings as well as river crossings! This is a very pretty and scenic area with plenty of areas to camp along the water. The trail has some larger rocks and ruts…
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Total Miles
6.5
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer
Learn more about Clawhammer
Clawhammer

Clawhammer

This is a fun little trail that is a little less intense than trails like Jackhammer or Wrecking Ball. Many of the obstacles on this trail have a bypass. Of course, if you choose to…
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Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
7 Difficult
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Cleghorn Bar
Cleghorn Bar

Cleghorn Bar

This is a fun drive with varying terrain. Green-sticker vehicles allowed and staging is available toward the beginning of the ride. Look for the sign that starts the 4WD riding. This routes takes you through…
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Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Summer
Learn more about Cleghorn Ridge
Cleghorn Ridge

Cleghorn Ridge

Cleghorn Ridge features excellent views, as well as challenging obstacles. There is plenty of space at trailheads to pull over and air down\up. Weekends can get busy, but most of the trail has room to…
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Total Miles
13.9
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Cold Spring
Cold Spring

Cold Spring

This trail will take you to a wetland area where multiple springs emerge from the mountainside. There is a dispersed camping area at the end where it turns into some hiking trails that give an…
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Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Copper Mountain
Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain

Climb along the side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains above Mono Lake on this beautiful SUV route. Check out views of the valley as well as Lundy Lake, and make time to visit an abandoned…
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Total Miles
8.0
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Summer
Learn more about Corral Hollow
Corral Hollow

Corral Hollow

This trail, open to green-sticker vehicles, starts out with a steep climb through thick mule ear meadows up to a high ridge. Stop to enjoy the beautiful views of Bear Valley Ski Area and Mokelumne…
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Total Miles
13.7
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Summer
Learn more about Cottonwood Canyon Road
Cottonwood Canyon Road

Cottonwood Canyon Road

This is a moderate route for experienced off-road drivers, starting from Stovepipe Wells campground and ending with another foot-traffic-only trail, with 2800 feet continuous elevation from 33 feet under sea level. It takes 2 hours…
Learn more about Cottonwood Canyon Road
Total Miles
19.4
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Summer, Fall
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