California Off-Road Trails

Humbug Road, aka Humbug Summit Trail, located in Northern California, is an easy overland trail from Paradise, CA, to Lake Almanor. Today, the trail is often used for logging, but in the 1850s, this area was booming with people looking for gold. As you travel east, you climb up Humbug Summit, reaching 6718 feet above sea level before gradually lowering down the other side at the lake at 4600 feet. Along the route, you will be entrenched in dense forest, burn scars, and Humbug Valley, where you can find the famous Humbug Valley Soda Springs, once home to the Maidu Indians. Since then, the area has become a thriving town, only to burn down in 1859, 1871, and again in 1917. Another name this valley had was Dogtown. Today, you will find several farm homes and the cemetery holding the valley's pioneers.

People often consider this road a primary pathway through the mountains and use it for snowmobiles during the winter months. With all the alternate paths leading off, this trail is a great way to experience the area and the connecting trails.

Since this is a maintained dirt road, any offroad vehicle can easily do this trail.

There are plenty of places to camp along the road that can fit any size group. However, some areas are private property, so make sure you are on public land.

The now-dry McCain Springs at the trail's western end was once Fish Creek's headwater. The trail is lined with tall ocotillo cacti, which make for a stunning drive. Snuggled back in the rocky hillside at the trail's end is a great camping spot large enough for five vehicles near the now-dry spring. This is mountain lion country, so understand the risk.

Woods Canyon, situated on the west side of Butte Valley, is this rarely visited mining camp from the early mining area of Death Valley. Because of its remote location, many of the items left behind by the miners remain today, making this a must-stop when exploring the area. At the end of this scenic canyon is Wood Camp, with its cabin and artifacts.

The Jacumba Mountains shield this area from weather and afternoon sun. It made for more hospitable dwelling lands for the Kumeyaay, who made this area home for over a thousand years. The palm grove up this canyon provided them with material for structures and clothing. Today Motero Palms delivers a beautiful hike to the palms and a sought-after camping opportunity that is not well rivaled within the park.

Bow Willow Creek is an easy trail that cuts over to Corizzo Wash. Besides the views of the badlands of Anza-Borrego off in the distance to the north, wildflowers attract visitors to this quiet trail. The colorful flora is usually present in late winter or early spring.

Camping is abundant along the trail. Many sites can accommodate larger vehicles or groups.

What might be a Nightmare for some, the legendary rock crawling trail in Johnson Valley known as Nightmare is a tough rock crawling trail. Full of rocks about 3-feet around, this trail is going to test any off-roader that is looking to push his vehicle to the max. Did we forget to mention a 7-foot waterfall? Now what really gets offroaders crying isn't the rocks but how narrow the canyon is which if one mistake happens, you will end up in the side of the canyon wall or into a large boulder that is just happy to rip off a quarter pannel to give you jeep or Toyota its first body damage. So if you are heading up Claw Hammer, and want to continue the fun, check out Nightmare in Johnson Valley California, and see what your rig can do.

Grapevine Canyon Road provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy an easy offroad trail, experience incredible views, and enjoy convenient mountain camping, all while escaping the desert heat. Beginning in a sandy wash of the Lucerne Valley desert floor, Grapevine Valley Road winds 3000 feet up the north face of White Mountain to cooler temperatures and spectacular 180-degree views of the Lucerne Valley and onto the distant Granite and Fry Mountains. Also, the surrounding terrain during the climb offers a unique landscape dotted with fascinating massive granite boulder formations called inselbergs. At about the eight-mile mark is the border of the San Bernardino National Forest, where several marked Forest Service trails and dispersed camping can be found.

This is an easy trail, wide and flat, with a reasonable grade and generally with room for two vehicles to pass each other. A two-wheel drive vehicle with some clearance would handle this road, but once reaching the National Forest, many of the connecting trails will require a high clearance 4x4.

Several dispersed campsites are located by the road, with the best sites next to granite boulder formations that border the road. Near the trail's northern end is an unmarked spur leading to the base of a stunning granite boulder formation and a great dispersed campsite. The spur continues and once connected to Grapevine Canyon, but has been destroyed by weather and is now impassable. 

The Horse Springs Spur, just one mile from the southern end of the Grapevine Valley Road, leads to the eleven-site Horse Springs Campground and offers a secluded escape surrounded by a high desert environment in a cluster of juniper and pine trees that offers sweeping mountain views in all directions, tree-shaded campsites, picnic benches, fire rings, and pit toilets, a group ramada and picnic area. Campfires are prohibited in the National Forest.

Trail 32S304 is a short 5-mile spur that leads directly to Funnel Lake, branching off from the main Coyote Flat route near the high-altitude plateau above Bishop, California. This lower-level intermediate trail is relatively narrow, rocky, and uneven, requiring a capable high-clearance 4x4 vehicle. While it’s not very long, the terrain includes loose rocks and minor obstacles that can challenge less-experienced drivers. At the end of the trail lies Funnel Lake, a serene alpine destination surrounded by granite peaks and meadows, sitting at over 10,400 feet in elevation. This spot is a favorite for dispersed camping due to its remote feel, peaceful setting, and stunning views, though it offers limited shade and no services. Visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures at night and the potential for sudden weather changes. Snow can linger along the trail through June, making the most suitable time of year to visit July through September. Trail 32S304 is an ideal add-on for those already exploring Coyote Flats and looking to spend the night lakeside in the Eastern Sierra wilderness.