California Off-Road Trails

Tule Wash is famous for its Pumpkin Patch. Located in Ocotillo Wells OHV, this trail runs east to west and is probably one of the highest-traveled routes in the area. The Pumpkin Patch is an area of rocks ranging from just a few inches to several feet around, and as the name says, they look like pumpkins. Created when the Colorado River ran through the area, these rocks are unique and fun to stop at and take photos with. But be warned, even though Tule Wash is an easy trail, the sand can get soft in places, so make sure you air down. Due to the remoteness of this trail, there isn't really any ideal camping. Not saying you couldn't, but it is just a wash. If you are looking for cool places to camp, camp near the north side of Cross Over Trail near the hills. There you find places in the coves for tent camping and open flat ground for RV's.

Hollister Hills SVRA is a 6,800-acre SVRA park and was the first SVRA made by the California parks department. The park is divided into three parts, the Upper Ranch, Lower Ranch, and Hudner Ranch. The Lower Ranch is for dirtbikes. While the Upper Ranch and Hudner Ranch are for 4x4s, visitors should stop first at the ranger station in the Lower Ranch to pay the $5 entry fee and get a map of the trails.

Hudner Pass is an easy dirt road that takes you along the entirety of Hudner Ranch. The entrance to Hudner Ranch is blocked by a locked gate, and the code is given to you by the ranger after you pay the entry fee. Hudner Pass takes you by the trailheads of all of the other trails in Hudner Ranch, and while the Hudner Pass can be completed in 2WD, the other trails in the ranch require 4WD and high clearance. Camping is available at Hudner Pass Campground. However, a reservation is required.

Ash Meadows Road is designated as an Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) road connecting to

Willow Creek Jeep Trail 3n34

and Sewer Pond OHV Trail 3W13. There are few pine trees at this lower elevation, allowing panoramic views to the west. The road is wide and flat with a few bumps and rocks. There are several spots along the way to pull over and have lunch under a shade tree along the way.

Buck Rock is located in the northern half of Giant Sequoia National Monument, between Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. The trail gets its name from the main draw, Buck Rock Lookout, but it also provides access to the best camping in the area. The Buck Rock fire lookout was used as early as 1908, with its current 14 by 14-foot building being constructed in 1923. Both the immense rock and the view it provides are truly awe-inspiring. The trail can be run in either direction, but if visiting Buck Rock Lookout or finding an ideal campsite is your goal, it's easiest to drive this trail south to north. Buck Rock Campground is located just a half-mile from the south trail entrance and can be easily accessed by RVs and camper trailers. The northern half of the trail is a bit more rutted but offers other dispersed camping options. 2WD vehicles with adequate clearance should have no trouble on this trail during dry conditions. 

Leona Divide is an easy point-to-point trail that is perfect for beginners. It’s located in the Sierra Pelona Mountains, just east of Green Valley. It consists of graded and rough dirt with occasional gravel. At the 10.5-mile mark, you’ll have to cross San Francisquito Canyon Road to finish the final 2.6 miles. 4WD is not necessary but will help with traction on the small hill climbs.

A main point of interest in this area is the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. It’s a 2,653-mile hiking trail that stretches from the United States-Mexico border to the United States-Canada border. The trail runs parallel to Leona Divide and has two access points nearby. The first is off Grass Mountain Road, and the second is 700 yards west of the trail endpoint. 

There is no camping on this trail. 

Orosco Ridge is a multi-use OHV area in San Diego County. It is an excellent spot for beginners to explore their 4x4's abilities. Please note that base maps will show this as a through road, but it is gated at the 6-mile mark and run as an out-and-back. While popular, there's not a whole lot to see at this location, but it is one of the spots that's closest to San Diego City, usually open, and can satisfy the need to get your tires on some dirt.

Although considered easy in dry conditions for any high-clearance vehicle, the road is steep, rutted, and bumpy, with narrow sections and limited passing opportunities. Stock Tacomas and 4-Runners should be able to handle the depth of the ruts, but crossover SUVs may scrape or get stuck. Disabling traction control, airing down, and having 4WD make for a smoother experience. Wet conditions will make the road considerably more difficult. 

The area used to be popular for target shooting, and there is plenty of evidence of that. Some spots appear to be very primitive campsites or lookout points, but there are also signs indicating the surrounding area has high levels of lead.

3N47, Santa Fe Fire Road, is in the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest north of Lytle Creek. Following sections of the Santa Fe Railroad, the trail marches along the edge of the beautiful Mormon Rocks, also called the Rock Candy Mountains. These striking sandstone formations are the remnants of ancient oceans heaved up at an angle over the millennia revealing a beautiful and sometimes alien sandstone landscape. Santa Fe Fire Road is an excellent trail for beginning off-roaders with its smooth surface and several spurs to explore. There are no appropriate areas for dispersed camping along the course, and signs advise vehicles to stay on the road.

This scenic road takes you from Death Valley Road to the Eureka Sand Dune where you will find plenty of areas to camp. The Eureka sand dune is the largest sand dune in Death Valley. If you continue down the trail, it turns into Steel Pass.

2N31Y is a short, non-technical, scenic loop. Typically roads like 3N16 Holcomb Valley and 3N34 East are used to get from Point A to Point B. Located off of 3N34 East, this little loop is a great detour if you are in the area.

Starting from the Carrizo Valley on S2, the trail enters a tight and colorful gorge with the Tierra Blanca Mountains on the north and the Jacumba Mountains on the south. As you drive, towering canyon walls on either side give way to Indian Valley, a beautiful bowl dotted with backlight chollas that create an angelic glow. You will want to drive slowly, looking for the well-camouflaged big horn sheep who like to call the canyon walls home.

Forest Road M3 in Mendocino National Forest is a great trail for all levels of experience, especially beginners wanting to test out stock, four-wheel drive high clearance vehicles. Most of this trail is a smooth graded road with the occasional large pothole and steep climb on sharp corners, requiring good tire placement for stock rigs. This trail will take you through deeply wooded areas, burned clearings from wildfires that occurred between 2018-2020, and multiple other ecosystems. Due to the wildfires, downed trees and roadblocks are possible. M3 and the surrounding area allow ample dispersed camping near year-round creeks and multiple designated campsites with fire rings and vaulted toilets. Completing M3 requires one water crossing, depending on the time of year.

Winding through the El Paso Mountains near Ridgecrest, California, The Narrows offroad trail offers a thrilling desert adventure. Following the historic Goler Gulch, a once-famous mining route from the 1893 boom, this trail lives up to its name with a dramatically tight passage through rugged, volcanic-formed terrain, cementing its status as a "must-do" for offroad enthusiasts.

Combine the "The Narrows" with other trails to connect to the famous Burro Schmidt Tunnel, Bickel Camp, or through Hobbs Wash on EP 15 as you make your way to the iconic Trona Pinnacles. Die-hard rock crawlers with stamina can even make a route to include Last Chance Canyon! The possibilities with this one make it a great choice to plan a trip around.

A graded dirt road connecting Descanso to Julian. It has a total elevation difference of more than 1300' with nice views of the San Diego mountains. Many people use this road to access the Three Sisters Falls and Eagle Peak trailheads. On the north end, it passes through the Inaja and Cosmit Indian Reservation, ultimately connecting to the outskirts of Julian and Eagle Peak Road.

Virtually any vehicle can traverse this road. It has a decent amount of washboard, so be prepared for a bit of vibration. The hardest parts are the climbs with turns and washboard. Nothing difficult, but your tires may slip momentarily.

There are no camping spots along this road.

Loop Wash is an alternate side trip to the more famous Fish Creek. No pun intended, but it "loops" around a portion of Fish Creek, making it a perfect alternative when going in or out of Fish Creek. The entire area that makes up this system of trails was once a shallow sea five million years ago. If you take the time and look closely, you will find Coquina shell beds in the mud ledges that line the trail.