California Off-Road Trails

Tucked into the rugged east side of Big Bear in Southern California, 2N61Y, better known as Heartbreak Ridge, is a remote, challenging 4x4 trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. It’s a trail for drivers who want a true backcountry challenge away from the busier, more popular routes in the area.

Heartbreak Ridge is technical and demanding, with jagged rock gardens, tight canyon squeezes, and off-camber shelf-road sections that require careful tire placement and steady focus. Along the way, you’ll catch wide mountain views and pass scattered remnants of old mining activity that add a gritty, historic feel to the drive.

San Sevaine Road is located in the beautiful San Bernardino National Forest. The trail runs east to west on the south-facing slopes between Mount San Antonio (Mount Baldy) and the Cajon Pass. The views into the Inland Empire are spectacular, where you can spot the ocean on a clear day. This trail has somewhat unusual seasonal closures to protect important fawning habitat for mule deer, a Forest Service Management Indicator Species. The trail is closed between March 1st and Labor Day.

Another highlight of this trail is the Joe Elliott Yellow Post Site near the end. Joe Elliott was the Superintendent of this forest from 1929 to 1935. Southern California's largest conifer tree was once at this campsite. The massive tree was 23 feet in circumference and 140 feet tall. Sadly it had to be taken down for safety reasons.

3N06A Cold Water Canyon, in the San Bernardino National Forest, is one of a dozen trails in the Lytle Creek system. This trail is a short spur off of 3N06 Stockton Flats, the main trail in the north fork of Lytle Creek. A major attraction to the area is the location of 19 Yellow Post camping sites, three of which are on this trail. Travel to this area is no more than 2 hours from anywhere in Southern California, and yet, with a properly equipped 4wd vehicle, you can make your camping experience as remote as you like. Prepare yourself for every forest creature you can imagine, and remember, this is their home. Cold Water Canyon is suitable for the newbie 4-wheeler but tough enough for all to enjoy. Pack your picnic lunch or camping gear and enjoy this trail.

Bailey Canyon Road is at the eastern end of the 823,000 acres San Bernardino National Forest and only a short 10-mile drive from I-15. The trail passes over the San Bernardino Mountain Range, rising from Silverwood Lake and passing over Sugarpine Mountain at altitudes that are the domain of the big pine forests. The impressive tall pines are survivors of the 2003 Old Fire, which burned 91,000 acres and the scared victims are still visible. Along the road are densely packed young pines fighting for space, quickly becoming a lush forest again. There are many places to pause and enjoy the cool, sheltered quiet offered by the forest, fragrant spring flowers, and views back to Silverwood Lake.

Widely regarded as the ultimate off-road adventure in California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Sandstone Canyon is more than just a trail; it’s a journey through time, carved by the forces of nature over millions of years. This breathtaking canyon trail takes you deep into a natural wonderland, where colossal sandstone walls rise high above, their jagged edges and smooth curves telling the story of a prehistoric past.

Winding through the canyon, you’ll navigate tight passages barely wider than your vehicle, feeling the raw power of the Earth’s geological artistry all around you. Every twist and turn unveils a new spectacle—sheer cliffs, towering formations, and sunlit rock faces that glow in shades of gold and red. It’s a place where time slows down, and the thrill of exploration meets the humbling beauty of nature.

Just as the Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon, the remnants of that ancient process have been sculpted here, creating an off-roading paradise unlike any other. This is not just a drive, it’s an experience, a privilege, and an unforgettable adventure. Many off-roaders hail Sandstone Canyon as the crown jewel of Anza-Borrego, and the moment you enter its towering corridors, you’ll understand exactly why.

Dishpan Springs 3N34 is a short but brutally hardcore rock crawling trail that has become a must-run destination for serious offroad enthusiasts, rock crawlers, and extreme 4x4 drivers. Hidden deep in the San Bernardino Mountains between Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead, this legendary Southern California off-road trail delivers nonstop technical challenges and is not something to underestimate. Known for its steep granite climbs, loose dirt, and high-consequence obstacles, Dishpan Springs is designed to test driver skill, vehicle setup, and mental focus from start to finish.

The trail is defined by two massive, highly technical waterfalls that rank among the most intimidating obstacles in the area. These near-vertical rock faces demand precise tire placement, controlled throttle, and confident line choice. The upper waterfall in particular is notorious for body damage and rollovers, and it has no regard for whether you are driving a fully built 4x4, a rock buggy, a heavily armored Jeep, or an over-the-top Toyota build. With constant traction challenges, extreme rock crawling lines, and heart-pounding climbs, Dishpan Springs delivers pure adrenaline and is the kind of offroad trail that leaves drivers exhausted, grinning, and wishing it would never end.

Located deep within the San Bernardino Nation Forest and providing legendary views of the High Desert, 3N17 White Mountain is a lightly traveled yet prominent trail within the Big Bear Lake area, known to be a favorite among locals. Perched at nearly 7,800 feet above sea level, the views from this ridge-running trail are awe-inspiring. While traveling the northern mountain range spine, users are rewarded with views of Johnson Valley, Lucerne Valley, Cougar Buttes, Apple Valley, Barstow, Mojave Road, and even Calico off in the distance. If those views aren't appealing enough, wait for dark and visit one of the two twin peaks on a clear night, where the glamourous lights of Las Vegas can be seen in the distance. If you are looking for something new and scenic that you will want to come back to again and again, look no further than White Mountain.

Jawbone Canyon Road provides a leisurely and scenic drive across a quickly changing landscape from the hot Mojave high desert to the cool Piute Mountains. Along the way, you can get close to an impressively massive wind turbine farm, pass across the beautiful Kelso Valley, and then feel the temperature drop as you climb 4500 feet into the serene tall pines of the Sequoia National Forest.

Clarks Grade is a 4x4 off-road trail in the San Bernardino National Forest. Driving this trail is a journey through several ecosystems, starting at the lowest elevation at the Santa Ana River and continuing to the ridgeline south of Big Bear Lake. The lushness of the canyon bottom gives way to the semi-aridness of mesquite, sage, and scrub oak. Finally, towards the end, you reach groves of conifer and an open-air ridgeline. Rumor has it that this trail was cut in one week as an alternate way off the mountain when, in 1949, the storm of the century blocked all access in and out of Big Bear Lake/Snow Summit. A sign at the north end explains that the trail has been in place since well before 1949. Harland Clark always told the story his way; it looks like his brother Hiram made the improvements.

The Miller Jeep Trail is a true legend in the Southern California off-road community and one of the original hard trails that helped define California rock crawling. Located near Lockwood Creek and climbing toward Alamo Mountain, this iconic 4x4 trail continues to draw large groups of Jeep, Toyota, Bronco, and overland enthusiasts looking for everything from a challenging day run to a full weekend adventure.

Known for its steep rocky climbs, off-camber sections, 2 to 3-foot ledges, and technical waterfall obstacles, Miller Jeep Trail delivers the perfect blend of overlanding and hardcore rock crawling. Drivers can expect sustained climbs over 25 degrees, loose boulder fields, shelf roads, and narrow mountain passes with breathtaking views of the Los Padres National Forest. This trail tests both driver skill and vehicle capability, making it one of the most respected and talked about off-road trails in Southern California.

Whether you’re running a built rock crawler on 37s or a stock high clearance 4x4 aired down and picking careful lines, Miller Jeep Trail offers an unforgettable off-road experience. From creek crossings on Lockwood Creek Trail to the rugged push up Alamo Mountain, this route is packed with adventure, history, and pure adrenaline.

2N10 Mill Creek is in the 823,000-acre San Bernardino National Forest just south of Big Bear Lake and travels through some of the most beautiful parts of the Big Bear Mountains. Mill 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 unusual granite formations for which Big Bear is known. This well-marked road provides access to several other driving trails and numerous hiking and biking trails to explore.

Diablo Drop-Off isn't as scary as it sounds, but it is a great story when you get home and tell your family that you drove down a hill named after the Devil himself. From a pragmatic point of view, it will most likely be on your itinerary when you overland between sections of the renowned Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Diablo Drop-Off connects trails in the southern area, such as Canyon Sin Nombre and Vallecito Creek, with the more famous northern trails, such as Fish Creek Wash and Sandstone Canyon. Whatever the motivation is to conquer the hill or make as many offroad miles as possible in the Park, Diablo Drop-Off is waiting for you to explore.

Old Dale Road is a historic route that served as the central corridor for the Old Dale Mining District in what is now the northeast corner of Joshua Tree National Park. Numerous side trails branch off from Old Dale Road and lead to the remains of old mining sites and ruins to explore. The road is also a fun and challenging off-road trail, with steep climbs into the Pinto Mountains on a narrow, rocky path. Old Dale is a popular destination for overlanders. You can easily plan a multi-day trip traveling Old Dale and its connecting trails, exploring the remains of mining operations, and enjoying the rich geography of the area. This area also makes a great day trip from Joshua Tree National Park — just get an early start as the trail is long and there's much to see. Old Dale Road traverses the two great deserts of Southern California, which meet within the boundaries of Joshua Tree National Park. The trail begins in the Sonoran Desert, which is the hotter and drier ecosystem and features vegetation consisting mostly of cholla cacti, ocotillos, and ironwood trees. As you travel north on Old Dale Road you’ll notice the landscape change to yucca, creosote, and the famous Joshua trees, marking the transition to the Mojave Desert.

For the overlander who truly wants to explore the best of Death Valley, the Pleasant Canyon Loop Trail offers a little bit of everything. Mines, cabins, steep mountain ascents and descents, epic views, rocks, cliffs, wood bridges, and more. The loop begins and ends in the Panamint Valley and explores Pleasant Canyon, Middle Park, and South Park. Some of the many sites to visit are Claire Camp, World Beater Mine Cabin, Cooper Mine, Mormon Gulch, Rita's Cabin, Roger's Pass, Chicken Rock (see photo), Chicken Bridge, and Briggs Cabin. Chicken Rock is a downward-tilting, narrow section of the trail which tips your vehicle precariously towards a 200' vertical drop. Once past this obstacle, you face the famous 3-ton limit wooden bridge before descending back into the Panamint Valley to complete the loop.