California Off-Road Trails

If the lower part of Sledge Hammer wasn't enough, don't worry. 3rd Canyon is a continuation of Sledge Hammer that can give you a little more fun before heading down the mountain. This exciting little trail is a blast if you still have more time in the day. The only downside, if you want to call it that, is you have to run Sledgehammer first. If you are in Johnson Valley California and want a little more fun after you just got done running Sledgehammer, check out 3rd Canyon.

Upper Jojoba Wash is an easy dirt trail in Anza Borrego Desert State Park that connects Dos Cabeza Road to the upper portion of Goat Canyon Trail. A 2WD vehicle can manage this trail, but the connecting Goat Canyon Trail is rated Difficult. The hardest part of this trail is a small bump, which any vehicle with a little ground clearance can manage.

Anza Borrego allows dispersed camping. A few open areas along the trail would support two to three vehicles.

Tule Divide is a beginner-friendly trail tucked away in the Angeles National Forest near Grass Valley. 4WD is not required. There is no camping on this trail. This scenic route follows a graded dirt road with a few washed-out areas. It’s a great option for first-timers or those looking for a relaxed offroad experience surrounded by mountain scenery. It’s worth mentioning that Tule Divide ends in the middle of Ruby Clearwater Road—a challenging level 4 trail that’s a whole different beast.

The Mojave National Preserve (MNP) was established in 1994 and at 1,542,776 acres it is the third-largest National Park. Generally, the roads in the preserve follow narrow corridors bounded on both sides by wilderness areas allowing most of the MNP to remain in a natural state by minimizing human impact. Lava Tube Road is surrounded by a wilderness area called Cinder Cones National Natural Landmark, and for good reason. The Cinder Cones National Natural Landmark area comprises 32 small volcanoes that have created a series of lava flows swallowing up the surrounding desert and have been active as recently as 10,000 years ago. Lava Tube Road provides a spectacular and close-up view of many of these lesser volcanoes and an intimate encounter with the lava flows upon which most of the Lave Tube Road is built. If you choose to explore a lava tube firsthand, just 300 feet off the road, the park service has installed a stairwell that descends into one of the lava tubes where you can walk its length deep underground. Dogs are welcome in the Preserve but must be kept on a leash. The roads in this area were built to support the Aiken Cinder Mine, which closed in 1990.

Dark Canyon Road is paved for the first 2.5 miles, but once you exit the last campground, it turns into a narrow shelf road, ultimately leading to a yellow post campsite. It does not go all the way through to Black Mountain Road; it is gated at 4.6 miles, making it an out-and-back trail. The paved part is not too exciting, but the dirt switchbacks and views from the top are great.

Stone Creek Campground, Fern Basin Campground, Marion Mountain Campground, and Dark Canyon Campground can all be found along this road. There are a couple of small offshoots for dispersed camping and a Yellow Post campsite. Just remember to have an Adventure Pass and Campfire Permit (even for gas stove use).

Frank Raines OHV Park is located not far from Patterson, CA. It is open to 4x4s from sunrise to sunset with a $5 admission fee per vehicle. The park is open to all OHV vehicles, so watch out for dirtbikes, quads, and SXS.

The Rock Trail is a moderate trail, rated blue by the park's rating system. Despite the name, the trail is not particularly rocky and is mostly loose dirt and moderate hill climbs that any 4WD or AWD vehicle can complete. The trail dead ends at the top of a hill, with a good view of the park and plenty of space to turn around.

Deer Creek Campground is located at the park's entrance. The campground has 34 sites with picnic tables, restrooms, and other amenities. Prices range from $15 to $30 per site.

A side trip to the old Dos Cabezas Limestone Mine, established in 1958, is worth adding to your explorations of the vast Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Sites along this short trail include the abandoned limestone mine, an old train trestle, and one of the more unique campsites in the park. The next time you are in the area, make a quick loop and check out the sites of Dos Cabezas Limestone Mine.

Van Dusen Canyon Road (3N09) is an easy, seasonal offroad trail near Big Bear, California, ideal for beginners or anyone looking to explore the San Bernardino National Forest at a relaxed pace. It serves as a popular connector route to more advanced trails deeper in the forest, such as Holcomb Valley, or as a standalone scenic drive for those seeking tranquility.

As you travel this graded dirt road, you’ll experience a steady elevation gain. Starting around 6,700 feet in Big Bear up to over 7,800 feet at the end. This scenic trail brings cooler temperatures and sweeping mountain views. The gradual climb takes you through dense pine forests, wide open meadows, and some truly beautiful high-country landscapes. Due to its wide, smooth surface, it’s commonly recommended for larger vehicles like RVs, 2WD cars, and other street-driven rigs, making it one of the most accessible routes into the San Bernardino Mountains.

Van Dusen is also a favorite for overlanders and weekend 4x4 travelers thanks to the abundance of dispersed camping in the area. The best location is a large, cleared area about halfway and on the east side of the road, where it is not uncommon to see groups of 5+ vehicles gathered.

Kitchen Creek Road used to be a through route between Mt. Laguna and I-8 to the south, however, the middle section is now permanently closed. The upper section has roughly a 600' elevation difference, so it's relatively flat but permanently gated at 2.5 miles.

Along this route, there are many spurs and sites for dispersed camping. The road itself is easily traversable with any 2WD vehicle, but the spurs and access to the campsites range from easy to almost impassable.

This route is in the Cleveland National Forest and may require an Adventure Pass and/or Campfire Permit (even for gas stove use).

22S12 is an out-and-back trail with several designated campgrounds along the route. There is approximately 8 miles of pavement until it becomes a dirt road at Poison Creek. Poison Creek is a dispersed campsite with fire rings and plenty of space for up to 8 vehicles.  

Several spurs along the trail lead to dispersed camping and are well-marked. There are many overlooks where you can stop and enjoy the scenic views. If you are traveling into the area, 22S12 is a quick and easy trail to find a place to camp for the night.  The trail has remnants of a paved road, but it has deteriorated into a combination of paved spots and graded dirt road with washboard bumps. A stock SUV or car can complete it. Permits are required for campfires, charcoal fires, and portable stoves. There are no garbage services in the area, so you will need to "Pack it out".

Crater Mountain Flats is a through trail that passes along the base of the Mono Craters with spectacular views. It is in the Inyo National Forest, so dispersed camping is allowed and can be found along the trail.

The trail's south end is a short shelf road along the base of a crater with a lot of obsidian. The rocks are pointy, with sharp obsidian scattered about. The rest of the trail is mostly loose pumice gravel with a few deep ruts from vehicle travel. There are also a couple of small climbs with very loose material.

High-clearance 4WD with tough, good-quality tires is recommended.

Out off of Coral Wash sits a secret of the area. Rumors float around this secret of the desert. The Waterfall off of Coral Wash in Truckhaven Hills, near the Salton Sea, is one of the most challenging rock obstacles in the area. People often talk about this waterfall with no idea where to find it. The obstacle itself offers three lines: Hard, Harder, and Insane. Because there is a more manageable line, 4WD vehicles with larger tires can likely get up the easier line of this obstacle, but if you want to try the harder line, be ready for body damage and disappointment.

Due to the remote nature of this trail and the fact that it is mostly in tight canyons, there are no good camping locations along the route.

EP 15 provides a major east-west path across the El Paso Mountains, connecting Highway 14 and Highway 395. It is also the main gateway to other attractions, such as Bickel Camp and the Burro Schmidt Tunnel.

The eastern and western sides are drastically different. On the western side, the trail is rather tame and has the Colorado Camp as a roadside attraction. The eastern side will leave you feeling remote, and the road is more adventurous. Hobbs Wash is a very unique canyon with several tight S-turns where extra-long wheelbase vehicles may struggle.

Pre-disturbed campsites can be found, but they are few and far between. You can also camp at the Colorado Camp, near where Mesquite Canyon intersects.

Airing down is recommended as both the east and west sides will be bumpy and washboarded. There are a couple of steep entry points as it crosses several washes, which may require 4-low gearing for some. It is suitable for all high-clearance vehicles.

Frank Raines OHV Park is located not far from Patterson, CA. It is open to 4x4s from sunrise to sunset with a $5 admission fee per vehicle. The park is open to all OHV vehicles, so watch out for dirtbikes, quads, and SXS.

Spider Trail is a challenging trail, rated a black diamond by the park's rating system. The trail is heavily rutted and is essentially one long hill climb. But a skilled driver in a 4x4 will be able to manage. The dirt is loose, causing traction issues. At the trail's end, you can return the way you came or continue to Matt's Trail or Truck Trail.

Deer Creek Campground is located at the park's entrance. The campground has 34 sites with picnic tables, restrooms, and other amenities. Prices range from $15 to $30 per site.

In Lessan National Forest, in the High Lakes OHV area, 519 Bear Lake Trail leads to Butterfly Falls. You will encounter several named obstacles like Pucker Point, a narrow rock outcropping you must drive around, where a simple mistake could send you plummeting off the side of the trail. You also have V-Notch, a 15-foot steep rock section with a deep hole in the center. You will need a built vehicle; although lockers are not required, having them would be a good idea, or at least a winch. It is also recommended to have a full belly and side armor due to all the down trees, narrow squeezes, and rocks.

Many people say this is their favorite trail because of its spectacular scenery, dense forest, green pastures, deep green bushes, and flowing creeks. It has excellent dispersed camping, too, with several areas for dispersed camping. A popular location is down by the old shingle mill at Bear Lake(no longer there), where the flat ground makes for an ideal place to camp. The area is large enough for 5+ vehicles. Another perk of this spot is a nearby swimming hole in Rock Creek.

Once at the falls, the trail continues as "Pipejam," an insanely hard trail where body damage and breaking are almost guaranteed even for the most built rigs. This makes Bear Lake an out-and-back trail for 99% of the people. 

Dry Creek Flats Upper is an offroad alternative between Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and Inyo Craters. It also connects nearby hiking trails and single-track motorcycle trails.

The trail consists mostly of gravel and dirt, which can be loose in some spots. There are also some large ruts, tree roots, and whoops to contend with, as the area is popular with all sorts of offroad vehicles. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended.

There are a few spots to camp, but campfires may not be allowed during the dry summer months.