California Off-Road Trails

Deer Trail is located in San Francisquito Canyon near Santa Clarita. The Los Angeles Aqueduct transports water through the canyon. Two hydroelectric power plants have been producing electricity for Los Angeles since 1917. On March 12th, 1928, the canyon experienced a terrible tragedy when the St. Francis Dam collapsed, claiming the lives of over 400 people. The tragedy is the second-greatest loss of life in California's history, following the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. The site of the disaster is registered as California Historical Landmark #919. The landmark is located on the grounds of Powerhouse No. 2 near the trail's east end.

The point-to-point trail is accessible from the West via City Highline Road and from the East via Del Sur Ridge. It consists of rough dirt and gravel, with several washed-out areas and exposed rock. A series of moderate hill climbs and descents require high clearance and 4WD. While the trail is rated as a black diamond, it's a relatively easy ride if you pay attention and choose appropriate lines. There is no camping on this trail.

Odessa Doran Scenic Loop Lower is a popular camping and hangout area. Nestled in the hills of Calico, the lower part of Odessa and Doran Scenic Loop is an ideal location for taking the family out camping, exploring, and shooting. The area is RV and 5th-Wheel friendly. The area has lots of natural wonders, including arches, red rock canyons, slot canyons, and mines. The area's offroad trails range from easy overland tracks to extreme rock crawling. There is something for everyone in his area, making this the perfect basecamp for your adventures.

Located in Red Rock Canyon State Park, the Black Rock Canyon offroad trail takes you through striking badlands of dried mud and rugged, reddish-black lava rock canyons—an experience you won't forget. The wheeling is adventurous, but the otherworldly landscape offers a quiet sense of inspiration. Once you conquer its namesake obstacle, "Black Rock," a deep sense of accomplishment will set in, leaving you eager to push forward and carve new trails.

Dough Flat Road, formerly Squaw Flat Road, is an easy 10-mile in-and-out dirt trail through the picturesque Topatopa Mountains within the stunning Los Padres National Forest. This trail traverses the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, necessitating heightened caution should you chance upon a California condor, a species perilously close to extinction.

For hiking enthusiasts, parking at the Dough Flat Trailhe offers access to the Alder Creek Trail at the end of FR 6N16.2. Camping is strictly prohibited along 6N16:1 and 6N16:2.

Dos Cabezas Road is an easy, sandy track near Ocotillo that leads into the lower part of Anza Borrego. The road is well maintained because it provides access to the wind turbines scattered along the trail. Any 2WD vehicle with moderate ground clearance can manage, although conditions may change after rain. The most challenging portion of this trail is a small hill, which is easily conquered by any vehicle. The trail leads to various other trails in the area to explore. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout Anza Borrego. Several trailside campsites are large enough for 2-3 vehicles.

This easy 4x4 route to the Queen of Sheba Mine follows the original haul road and was in limited commercial use as recently as the 1970's. Total production of the Queen of Sheba has reportedly been 5,000,000 lbs. of lead, 100,000 ozs. of silver, 1,500 ozs. of gold, and 146,000 lbs. of copper. There are extensive mine ruins, and several 2 track trails to explore around the Queen of Sheba Mine. The town and camp of Carbonite sprang up around 1900 near the Carbonite Mine site which is a short distance away. There are no ruins of the town visible.

Lippincott Pass is an iconic trail in the heart of Death Valley that takes you from Saline Valley to the even more iconic destination of Racetrack Playa. The trail is incessantly rocky and jarring. Combine that with the steep shelf road, and you are sure to give your passenger an uneasy stomach. The beginning of the road passes through one deep wash that requires careful line choice and low range. Then, multiple partial washouts bring you even closer to the edge coming through the pass. Between the narrow road and the rocks, it’s best to be accompanied by a functioning 4WD system and an experienced driver. There are no campsites along Lippincott Pass.

In the deserts of California sits an area famous for the overland crowds. Alabama Hills, a complex network of trails, is full of unique camping in Southern California. This trail, Moffat Ranch Road, is the back way in from the northside of the area. Even though this trail isn't as desirable as Movie Road, this is a great way to exit the area to get the full effect when visiting. So the next time you are exploring the area, don't forget to Moffat Ranch Road and make a day out of your trip.

Red Rock Canyon State Park in California is a stunning desert landscape in the Mojave Desert. It is known for its dramatic red and tan sandstone cliffs, rugged rock formations, and scenic desert vistas. Iron Canyon is one of several dirt roads traversing this geologically rich park, offering visitors a glimpse into ancient landscapes shaped by millions of years of erosion. If traveling the 14 Freeway during sunrise or sunset, this short trail is sure to reward you with a mesmerizing experience as the canyon’s colors intensify, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

Jojoba Wash is a challenging trail in the southern portion of Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Most of the trail is an easy dirt and sand track that could be managed in 2WD. However, one tricky hill climb requires 4WD and bumps this trail rating to Moderate. The connecting Goat Canyon is rated Difficult due to a steep, heavily rutted hill climb. However, Goat Canyon is optional. Jojoba Wash is a loop. You can exit the way you came.

Anza Borrego Desert State Park allows dispersed camping. There are ample opportunities throughout Jojoba Wash. Much of Jojoba Wash is open, sandy, and perfect for camping.

Dobie Meadows Road travels on the edge of the Inyo National Forest and the Granite Mountain Wilderness Area. As you travel around Mono Lake, the arid landscape gives way to the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The northwest part of the trail offers the best views of the lake. Mono Lake is over 1 million years old and has amazing tufa towers made of minerals that rise from the ground.

This is a well-maintained gravel road. There is a small river crossing near the trail's western end, but it's only about a foot deep. Any high-clearance vehicle can handle the crossing, so 4WD is not needed. Always check the road conditions before you go, as parts of the trail can get washed away and sandy after a heavy rain. This trail does travel through an open range, so beware of horses and cattle on the road.

While the trail is on BLM land, no campsites were noted.

One great trail that meets up with this road is Crooked Meadows Road at the southeast end.

Tucked deep in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest, 3N07, Van Dusen Creek, is the kind of gem that turns a casual trip into a full-on adventure. This dirt road winds through towering pine forests and wide-open alpine meadows, delivering panoramic views and crisp mountain air that instantly hits reset on your soul. Just minutes from Big Bear, it’s a backcountry escape that feels miles from civilization, quiet, untouched, and absolutely stunning. But the real magic? It’s what waits at the end. Climbers Camp is a peaceful, pine-shaded haven that leads straight to the legendary Coyote Crag, a dramatic granite wall known across Southern California for epic climbs and surreal scenery. Pair that with expansive dispersed camping, golden hour light pouring through the trees and glissading off the grass-filled valley, and a connection to the thrilling 3N07A - The Squeeze, and you’ve got a trail that doesn’t just impress, it leaves a lasting mark. If you’re searching for that one spot that delivers beauty, adventure, and total escape, this is it.

Situated on the east side of Death Valley National Park, within the Funeral Range Mountains, lies one of the oldest mines in the entire park, and the highest point gives unparalleled views as it overlooks Badwater Valley. The original mine was discovered by August J. Franklin in 1871. The story is told that he picked up a rock to crown a rattlesnake and found silver ore. He founded the Chloride Cliff mining company with the first claims he staked. The mine could not produce enough revenue and mostly stopped operations until the Bull Frog mining boom in 1905. With towns like Rhyolite nearby to help support the mine, a permanent camp was established to ramp up operations and was called Chloride City. Not much remains today except for adits, tailing piles, and the grave of James McKay, an unknown man with no known story to tell. It's the perfect trail to add to your Death Valley list.

3N53, Southern Pacific Road, is in the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest north of Lytle Creek. The trail moves west to east, next to portions of the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks, and passes through the stunning Rock Candy Mountains. These striking sandstone formations are the remnants of ancient oceans heaved up at an angle over the millennia, revealing a beautiful sandstone landscape with walls reaching 200 feet tall that you can drive right through. The road is an easy trail with no obstacles and is excellent for beginning off-roaders. While the National Forest permits dispersed camping, there are no appropriate locations along this trail to spend the night, and only gas stoves are allowed. The trail's end offers a tree-covered day-use area near what used to be the Summit Trail Station, marked with a historical landmark.

Opal Trail is aptly named as at the end of the trail are two famous opal mines, Nowak's Opal Mine and Barnett's Opals. The very light-colored terrain in this canyon consists of volcanic ash. It has yielded many opals over the years. Back in the day, Barnett's Opals charged $2 a head for a day pass to mine, and you could keep whatever you found. Currently, rock collecting is not allowed within the Red Rock Canyon State Park. It is said that among the Barnetts' luminous treasures found is the "Mojave Flame," an opal that glows like coal in a barbecue pit. In 1975, the Opal Miners Association valued the stone at over $50,000. All that remains now are dilapidated buildings and the equipment used to mine.

2N86 Kidd Creek is in the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest just south and above Big Bear Lake and travels through some of the most beautiful parts of the Big Bear Mountains. Over its 1.7-mile length, Kidd Creek has many spots to pull over and enjoy the peaceful solitude of this lush forest. The entire road length is enclosed by a conifer forest with tall Ponderosa Pine sheltering the way and accented by the many inspiring granite rock formations for which Big Bear is known. The road leads to Yellow Post Campsite #30, which is bordered by more majestic granite formations.