California Off-Road Trails

The vastness and remoteness of the desert are on full display on this trail, with only sand and creosote bush as far as you can see. This often deep, sandy trail passes between the distant Stepladder and Old Woman's Mountains Wilderness. At its lowest point, the road crosses Danby Lake, a crusted-over dry lake bed in the summer. Dispersed camping can be done along the way, following the BLM Needles Field Office camping guidelines. An easy trail, but the deep, soft sand requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Please note that the southern end runs into private property, and you must backtrack to the intersection with Cadiz Road to exit.

Starting in Banning, Old Idyllwild Road is a pleasant drive rising 2000 feet to the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest and the San Jacinto Mountains. Throughout its length, you can enjoy sweeping views to the north and west and view spots to pull over for lunch.

The entire road is on private land; hence, there is no public overnight camping, but the road does reach at its end large areas of Bureau of Land Management land and marked trails for exploration and dispersed camping.

The Mojave National Preserve (MNP) was established in 1994. At 1,542,776 acres, it is the third-largest National Park. On the western slope, near the Providence Mountain Range, and along Foshay Pass, is the most prominent human-made feature in the preserve, Vulcan Mine.

Vulcan Mine Road was built to haul iron ore to the railroad at Kelso. You can still follow this trail directly to the mine and even drive around the edges of the massive mine pit, looking to its bottom 100 feet below, while following a fence that has been placed to protect visitors.

Abandoned in 1944, you can see how the desert, over 75 years, the desert has slowly taken back the once smooth asphalt road you are now taking to the mine.

Along the way to the mine, enjoy views of the Providence Mountains rising on either side. Looking back in the distance, you will see the equally massive but naturally occurring Kelso Dunes.

Situated in the Big Bear area and just a short jog off the paved CA-18, this challenging trail will reward the effort with endless views and outstanding dispersed camping sites. Tall pine trees crowd the beginning of the trail, provide summer shade, and offer great picnic and camping. Venturing further before the trail's steep descent are endless views over the surrounding desert and out to the distant mountains. All of which takes you to Horsethief Flat, at the desert floor. The flat is a beautiful area concealed by the surrounding mountains with lush ribbons of green foilage that are supported by an active creek flowing along its border with the mountains.

Gobbler's Knob provides an escape from the city to enjoy the solitude and wonderful views surrounding the Upper Lytle Creek Divide. The trail is most notable for its connection to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), which intersects at both ends and provides camping sites and resupply for hikers taking the long PCT journey. A large parking area at the end provides a place to take short hikes along the PCT or even out to Gobbler's Knob. Gobbler's Knob is actually the highest prominence of the Upper Lytle Creek Divide with an elevation of 6955 feet and is located a short 1/4 mile hike west of the parking area. The term "knob" is an archaic word for a prominent geographical landmark by which travelers may guide themselves. Forest Service Administrators have stated that the "gobbler" of Gobbler's Knob refers to the wild turkeys that once roamed the area. When camping is allowed, you will likely find tired travelers camped in the flat area past the iron fence marking the boundary to PCT. Pets can also enjoy the trail when kept on a leash.

Mescal Creek Road is yet another beautiful but lesser-known trail that takes you from the desert floor up to the mountains. Starting in Pinyon Hills and ending at Jackson Lake, this short but beautiful connector offers a waterfall, two water crossings, and gorgeous views of the San Gabriel mountains in the Angeles National Forrest. While dispersed camping is not allowed in this area, the trail ends near Lake Campground, with Mt. Oak Campground just around the corner.

This rough dirt road includes a few moderate rocky sections. It serves as an alternate entrance to the Crowley Lake area and the Crowley Columns connecting from the north end of Owens Gorge Road to the shore of Crowley Lake. This trail is suitable for new off-roaders with 4wd, but there is tight brush along this trail, so be aware of the risk of pinstriping.

Kings Peak Road is a scenic and remote trail through the King Range in Humboldt County. It connects Shelter Cove in the south to Wilder Ridge Road in the north. The road between Shelter Cove and Tolkan Campground is graded and well-maintained. The road is a bit rougher north of Tolkan Campground, but still passable with a stock 2WD SUV or Pickup truck.

The trail's south end is just half a mile from Usal Road, and combining the two makes for an epic route through California's Lost Coast and adjoining mountain ranges. Kings Peak Road twists and turns through the mountains with a total of 3,800 feet of elevation change and is slightly easier to traverse than Usal Road.

3.8 miles from the south end, Tolkan Campground is a BLM-managed campground with a nightly fee, providing spacious sites as well as a terrain park for biking. Many hiking trails can also be found in the area.

Arroyo Salado Wash is on the northern side of Ocotillo Wells OHV and Anza Borrego State Park. This east-west trail provides great views and fun exploring. With several natural oases off this trail and an amazing mud cliff, this is one of the better overlanding routes in the area. On the northwestern end of the trail, the Arroyo Salado Primitive Campground has a variety of unimproved sites and a vault toilet.

Traversing the mountains and redwood forest of Mendocino County, Fort Bragg/Sherwood Road is a seasonal, unpaved road connecting Willits and Fort Bragg. The 24 miles of dirt are a single-lane trail, winding through the forest and traversing ridges with spectacular views. This trail goes deep into the mountains and is very secluded, with many logging road spurs. Most of the spurs are closed with large metal gates, but there are enough open that it may be possible to get lost if you make a wrong turn. Cell service is spotty, so following your GPS closely is crucial.

This trail can become very muddy and impassible when wet. This is evident from the deep ruts found along several sections of the trail. When dry, the trail is easily traversed by a high-clearance vehicle, and 4WD might not be necessary. Users will need to traverse steep hills, ruts, and one constantly muddy section thanks to a natural spring. There are a lot of tight blind turns along this single-lane road. Thus, users should be cautious of any oncoming vehicles. This trail is popular for overlanders, motorcycles, and locals.

No suitable camping exists along the trail as all adjoining lands are privately owned.

Coming into the southern end of Red Rock Canyon State Park is a lesser-used trail labeled EP 18. This bumpy 2-track is full of incredible views both down the canyon and into the park, and across its surrounding hills. As you ascend the canyon, the trail is relatively easy, with a few ruts to slow you down. Once you are past the mine, the trail turns into a shelf road cut into the side of the hills. There is minimal passing room, but full-width vehicles will fit just fine. The most challenging part of the trail comes about halfway through when the road suddenly turns down one of the hills and presents a steep hill peppered with loose, softball-sized rocks. 4WD is required, and a locker may help, especially if you are coming uphill. After this hill, you will traverse a few more mounds before reaching its terminus at Trail 86B.

There is no camping along this trail despite a small portion of the southern end lying on BLM land. The only camping allowed within Red Rock Canyon State Park is the developed Ricardo Campground across CA-14 near the visitors center.

Located in the Mountain Top Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF), 2N90 is an up-and-back trail chiseled into the steep side of Tip Top Mountain. This trail climbs 2,300 feet over an extremely rough, rocky, and narrow shelf road that eventually reaches the 7,500-foot summit. Once on top, the views are magnificent.  This trail requires an expert driver with a suitable high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle and low range. Drivers will be required to manage very steep grades, narrow trails, sharp alignments, rough or loose tread surfaces, and substantial obstacles.  

Dispersed camping is permitted when following the SBNF Dispersed Camping Guidelines. However, the only suitable dispersed campsite is at the end of the road, on top of the mountain, where level land and inspiring views are available. Be sure to follow all Current Fire Restrictions and Related Prohibitions and obtain a California Campfire Permit before camping.

June Wash in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is notable for its desert flower blooms in February and March. The road is primarily sand until the very end, where it enters a badlands and gets narrow and rocky. The trail is an out-and-back. While you could camp in June Wash, it's not ideal.