Trail Overview

Taking the route less traveled is always best. This is the case on the way to Hole-In-The-Ground as well. There will be many rocks, bumps, and tight turns, but nothing a standard 4-wheel drive can't handle. When you reach the edge of the Hole-In-The-Ground, you will know it. It will be evident by the most enormous hole in the ground you have probably ever seen. The trip down may warrant caution as the stepped descent will be littered with ups and downs and off-camber moments. The cautious should walk the trail first. For those less careful once you start down, down is how you must go. Turning around will not be an option once you reach the bottom of the Hole-In-The-Ground. It will be like an apocalyptic desert. There is a small refuge of shade and a nice place to camp at the very end of this trail.

Photos of Hole In The Ground

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Difficulty

The trail down has a lot of moguls that are off camber. The height is unnerving and distracting. The way up is not the time to lose traction, if you have rear axle lockers use them.

History

Hole-In-The-Ground is a 300 ft crater made by a volcanic steam explosion called a maar. It is a mile wide. The crater is almost completely clear except for a few trees.

Technical Rating

Dustin

May 27, 2026

Open

How often do you get to drive down into an old volcano

Collin Knop

Sep 27, 2025

Open

Dry and dusty. No others. Trail is definitely down and up non-stop no pull outs. the whoops were not bad just one off camber felt tricky on way up. otherwise the Ranger did it easily.

Ryan Bickett-Hickok

Aug 09, 2025

Open

This trail is narrow, single track, with no turnouts. One way in, one way out. Nothing super technical, but lots of short steep whoops with some off camber rocks that are a little tricky. You can easily high center if you’re in a full size pickup. Would not drive this trail in the rain.

Brian Mehlhoff

May 25, 2025

Open