Off-Road Trails in California

Discover off-road trails in California

Learn more about The Escape Trail
The Escape Trail

The Escape Trail

The Escape Trail is a historical route dating back to 1850 and is a remote way into Death Valley, offering scenic views and a historical element. 14 miles in length, this is a route out…
Learn more about The Escape Trail
Total Miles
8.4
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall
Learn more about The Highest Peak of the Sierra Pelona
The Highest Peak of the Sierra Pelona

The Highest Peak of the Sierra Pelona

Take a quick, but pretty drive up to Burnt Peak. At 5,791' above sea level, this is the highest peak of the Sierra Pelona, which is one of the lower elevation ranges within California's Transverse…
Learn more about The Highest Peak of the Sierra Pelona
Total Miles
5.9
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer
Learn more about The Main North to South Access Wash
The Main North to South Access Wash

The Main North to South Access Wash

A sandy run from the central valley to the northern open section. The wash is wide and allows for oncoming traffic to pass. The sand is generally more on the coarse side, lending to an…
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Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Fall, Winter, Spring
Learn more about The Mojave Road Temporary Re-Route
The Mojave Road Temporary Re-Route

The Mojave Road Temporary Re-Route

The Mojave Road experienced a large washout on Piute Pass, roughly 12 feet deep and 30 feet wide. The trail is currently closed along this portion of the track, and this is the recommended alternate…
Learn more about The Mojave Road Temporary Re-Route
Total Miles
5.9
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Winter
Learn more about The Narrows
The Narrows

The Narrows

This is a challenging, but fun trail through the El Paso Mountains, known for the abandoned mines and cabins of years past, and amazing camping. The highlight of the trail is a narrow, rocky section…
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Total Miles
9.6
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Winter
Learn more about The Outs
The Outs

The Outs

A very scenic ride that leaves the Spangler OHV Area through an impressive garden of large boulders. There is one very technical section near the west end that can be bypassed by taking the trail…
Learn more about The Outs
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Winter, Fall, Spring
Learn more about The Painted Rock Gorge - BLM 130
The Painted Rock Gorge - BLM 130

The Painted Rock Gorge - BLM 130

The Painted Rock Gorge is a famous gorge with a colorful rock system that draws visitors to its spectacular geology. The route features many small rock gardens with most rocks under 12 inches, though you…
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Total Miles
5.5
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Fall, Winter, Spring
Learn more about The Reward Mine
The Reward Mine

The Reward Mine

This is a moderate trail that starts on a broken road just off the 395 Freeway on Manzanar Reward Road. You will climb up and over the hillside where you will be welcomed with an…
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Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Summer
Learn more about The Road Not to the Top of Sugarloaf
The Road Not to the Top of Sugarloaf

The Road Not to the Top of Sugarloaf

Have you always wanted to see what is at the top of Sugarloaf Mountain? Me too; however, right as you arrive at the base of the mountain, there is a very heavy-duty gate with many…
Learn more about The Road Not to the Top of Sugarloaf
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Winter, Fall, Spring
Learn more about The Road to Nowhere
The Road to Nowhere

The Road to Nowhere

Out and back trail. Steep, rocky terrain that winds tightly through the trees. There are two steep climbs that have soft dirt and rocks requiring the driver to maneuver around two very large trees. This…
Learn more about The Road to Nowhere
Total Miles
2.0
Tech Rating
5Moderate
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about The Rocky Narrows
The Rocky Narrows

The Rocky Narrows

A beautiful alternate route in the Inyo Mountains that can be run as a loop with Papoose Flat Road, or as a connecter to the nearby Mazourka Canyon portion of the CABDR trail. The trail…
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Total Miles
14.7
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about The Rut
The Rut

The Rut

This is a lightly traveled trail with a dirt floor. Uneven, rutted dirt trail with erosion. Potential water crossings up to a foot deep, in the winter, and in some spots the rut is 3ft…
Learn more about The Rut
Total Miles
3.0
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer
Learn more about The Sand Highway
The Sand Highway

The Sand Highway

The Sand Highway is a very wide, fine, fluffy sand trail that's part of the Glamis Sand Dune area, one of the most famous sand riding destinations. The sand is very smooth, and the whoops…
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Total Miles
3.0
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Winter, Fall, Spring
Learn more about The Stairway
The Stairway

The Stairway

This trail is a challenging off-road adventure known for its steep inclines, deep ruts, and rugged terrain. The path climbs sharply from the base, demanding both driver skill and a well-equipped 4x4 vehicle. Traction becomes…
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Total Miles
2.8
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Summer
Learn more about The Trek to McIver's Cabin
The Trek to McIver's Cabin

The Trek to McIver's Cabin

The trail begins at the Dove Springs OHV Area/Robbers Roost Ranch just off California State Route 14, approximately two miles south of the junction with California State Route 178. The first several miles of the…
Learn more about The Trek to McIver's Cabin
Total Miles
20.5
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about The Uncivilized Trona Road
The Uncivilized Trona Road

The Uncivilized Trona Road

If you love big, deep whoops, then this is the road for you. There are some off-camber sections and sandy washes that await any thrill seeker. This trail takes you from the hardball of Trona…
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Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
4Moderate
Best Time
Winter, Fall, Spring
Learn more about Thimble Trail
Thimble Trail

Thimble Trail

Thimble Trail is a 2.1-mile point-to-point trail rated 3 of 10 within the California Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The trail is restricted to street-legal vehicles. Thimble Trail provides the shortest off-road route to the Borrego…
Learn more about Thimble Trail
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Summer, Spring, Fall, Winter
Learn more about Thin Meadow - FS 5S015Y
Thin Meadow - FS 5S015Y

Thin Meadow - FS 5S015Y

Thin Meadow (FS 5S015Y) is less of a road and more of a "suggestion" through the forest. This narrow two-track trail serves as a litmus test for your vehicle's width and your willingness to embrace…
Learn more about Thin Meadow - FS 5S015Y
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
3Easy
Best Time
Summer, Fall
Learn more about Thomas Hunting Grounds
Thomas Hunting Grounds

Thomas Hunting Grounds

The Thomas Hunting Grounds Trail (1N12), often also referred to as the Morton Peak Trail, is an easy dirt road that takes you from the chaparral and shrubs of Mill Creek to the oaks and…
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Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about Thomas Mountain West Approach
Thomas Mountain West Approach

Thomas Mountain West Approach

This trail connects the Rouse Ridge via Cottonwood trail to the Thomas Mountain Campground via the western end of Thomas Mountain Road. During dry months, the trail is an easily passable dirt road, requiring only…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Fall, Winter
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ATV trails in California

Learn more about 11E19
11E19

11E19

11E19 is a 0.7-mile-long ATV trail with a red dirt surface winding through a forest of sugar pines. The route is wide and mostly gradual, with only a couple of very small rolling hills. It…
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Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about 11E19-D10
11E19-D10

11E19-D10

11E19-D10 is an easy ATV spur trail measuring just under half a mile long, often ridden together with 11E19 and D20 near Brimstone Campground. The trail allows two-way traffic with decent visibility, and it is…
Learn more about 11E19-D10
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about 11E19-D20
11E19-D20

11E19-D20

11E19-D20 is a 0.9-mile-long, easy ATV trail that runs mostly gradual with a few hairpin turns. The route passes through a mix of environments, with some sections more lush and lined with leafy Pacific dogwoods,…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Summer, Fall
Learn more about 15EV105
15EV105

15EV105

This is a wide and easy ATV trail that cuts through the middle of the Interface OHV trail system, acting as an easy access route to access several other trails. It has minor loose rock…
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Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
2Easy
Best Time
Spring, Fall
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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.…
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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…
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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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