California Off-Road Trails

An easy spur off of Upper Kitchen Creek Road with a nice place for dispersed camping. There are roots and ruts, but they are passable for most vehicles.

This is in Cleveland National Forest, where dispersed camping is allowed but requires the appropriate permits: Adventure Pass and/or Campfire Pass (even for gas stoves).

Crossing the California and Nevada state lines, Port Arthur Road is an easy-to-moderate dirt road that is perfect for any 4x4. Cutting through the Humold-Toiyabe Nation Forest, the trail approaches the state line with an amazing rock formation that pops up out of the ground as though it were a giant marker. Even though dispersed camping is allowed in this area, there are no suitable camping locations along the trail. Dispersed camping can be found along nearby Henness Road to the west.

The Mojave River Wash is the final 12 miles on the western side of the historic Mojave Road, connecting Afton Canyon and Manix. It travels along a wide, soft, sandy wash, offering expansive views of the Mojave Desert region. Along the drive, you can expect continuous sandy whoops, deep ruts, and an occasional random rock that could easily take out a tire or differential if you are traveling too fast. There is quicksand along this trail, but the areas they are in have been blocked off, so staying on the marked route is imperative for your safety. This section of the Mojave Road does not offer any camping options, and route finding can be difficult at times. It is suitable for any high clearance vehicle, and airing down is highly recommended due to the sandy terrain.

This area has no designated Bureau of Land Management (BLM) subregion, hence the prefix for Riverside County (RVC). RVC164 meanders through the San Jacinto Mountains foothills connected Cryer Road to RVC170, providing beautiful views out to the west.

Dispersed camping can be enjoyed on BLM land when adhering to the BLM Dispersed Camping Guidelines. There is a single suitable location for camping on the trail that is a wide pullout a few feet from the road. This site provides wonderful views and room for two or three vehicles. No open fires are permitted, and it is the responsibility of campers to know and follow the Fire Restrictions.

New offroaders would enjoy this easy trail in a high clearance two-wheel drive vehicle.

Most of the western side of Blanco Road is privately owned, and this road provides access to these areas. The north ends at the gate to a ranch, and the south ends at the locked gate to the La Mirage Dry Lake Recreational area.

Bordering BLM land over the entire west side of the road north of Shadow Mountain Road, abundant flat areas are appropriate for dispersed camping when following the BLM Camping Guidelines.

During high fire danger, campfires may be restricted, and if planning to camp, one should review the current BLM Campire Restrictions.

Blanco Road is flat and sandy, suitable for most two-wheel drive SUVs.

Wild Horse Canyon Road winds through a rugged and scenic part of Mojave National Preserve, offering striking views of Wild Horse Mesa and the volcanic cliffs near Hole-in-the-Wall. Though it feels remote, the road is easily accessed from the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center and Campground.

Several hiking trailheads branch off along the route, leading deeper into the backcountry. These paths pass through dramatic landscapes and even feature ancient petroglyphs left by Indigenous people who once lived in the area. Many trailheads double as dispersed camping sites.

Camping options range from dispersed sites to improved campgrounds. At the south end, the Hole-in-the-Wall Campground provides picnic areas, fire rings, benches, and pit toilets, but no shade. Further north, Mid Hills Campground offers similar dry camping amenities. Both were heavily burned in the 2020 Dome Fire; while now open, the trees remain scorched and lifeless.

Additional designated and dispersed campsites are scattered along the road. A standout spot lies less than a mile from the southern entrance, nestled among tall rock formations. Another notable site sits at the north end, beside a dramatic stone outcrop.

A sign at the south entrance warns that the road is suitable only for high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive vehicles. It starts out wide enough for two-way traffic but narrows to a single lane about a third of the way in. Some sections are rutted and rocky, requiring careful driving. Still, it’s a good choice for beginners looking to gain confidence on mild offroad terrain.

CM7608 is a short drive up this rocky spur into a box canyon with a wide rocky floor. The trail becomes impassible in the canyon. The return trip provides lovely views back down the trail to the desert basin.

The best location for a flat, comfortable campsite is near the trailhead.

CL8241 follows sandy washes across the sandy desert floor, then hugs the ridges of the nearby Alvord Peak. The trail eventually merges into a narrow canyon that leads to a beautiful dispersed campsite.  

As the trail enters the ridges and hills of Alvord Peak, there are oddly shaped pillars, seemingly out of place, consisting of a hard stone top protecting the soft material below from the weather. With a bit of imagination, recognizable shapes appear. One notable pillar looks very much like a baby elephant which would be an excellent name for this trail.

Overlapping layers of minerals follow the contours of the surrounding hills in a rainbow of colors and provide shelter from the wind. Soft pink sand washed down from these hills is perfect for pitching a tent with enough room for four or more vehicles.

This easy out-and-back trail would be enjoyed by novice and experienced off-roaders and is suitable for a two-wheel drive high clearance vehicle. 

Boundary Road travels through the Stoddard OHV area and connects Highway 395 with Randsburg Wash Road. It is also a terminus point for the famed Trona Pinnacles Road. There are no notable obstacles, but airing down and having 4-low gears is recommended. Be advised that fast-moving motorcycles and side-by-sides are all over the place, and their trails often cross paths with the major roads.

It does provide unique scenery, with massive sandstone boulders along most of the route, some reaching almost monolithic proportions. This scenery provides an excellent backdrop for camping, and there are plenty of locations along the route where you can set up for the night. All camping available is dispersed, so no amenities are offered.

JF4330 is a straight-through, semi-circle that starts on the level ground of Juniper Flats, where shading Junipers provide perfect spots to enjoy lunch or for overnight camping. After a shallow climb, JF4330 ends as the hills begin their steep 2,300' descent to the Mojave River bed. Along the way, the trail passes a burn area that has been fenced off to promote the land's recovery. Reaching the trail's end is the reward of an expansive view of the valley below and out to the distant San Gabriel Mountains. You're likely to pass roaming cattle in the area that make for mellow company when keeping a discrete distance.

This trail has long rocky stretches with no bypasses. A 4-wheel drive high clearance vehicle is best for running this trail. The trail is in the Juniper Flats Subregion, a Limited Use Area requiring vehicles to stay on marked trails.

The entire trail is on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, and dispersed camping can be enjoyed on the trail when following the BLM Dispersed Camping Regulations. Near the top of the trail, suitable pre-disturbed campsites can be found positioned to enjoy the expansive views. Open fires may be prohibited, and it is the responsibility of campers to know the BLM Campfire Restrictions.

Leaving the picturesque Holcomb Valley in your rearview, Little Holcomb winds north through the dense pine forest, quickly reaching 3N83 and access to the many other trails in the area.  This road offers a moderate driving challenge with its large rocky obstacles.  A high clearance 4x4 vehicle would easily manage this trail, or an experienced driver using a two-wheel drive vehicle would enjoy the challenge.

Along the way, a few locations suitable for dispersed camping can be found, providing deep shade and solitude away from the busier surrounding trails.  

AC9624 is a quick, cool offshoot off Afton Canyon Road a few miles from Highway 15. It wraps up and around the hills following the power lines with vast views of the buttes of the Mojave National Preserve to the southeast and the remnants of West and East Cronese Lake as it wraps around Cave Mountain.

The trail is mostly graded gravely dirt, but descending from Cave Mountain, it becomes more natural gravel with slightly bigger pebbles and smaller rocks. The initial descent is relatively steep, with small ruts to navigate.

The trail's end comes to a fork, with AC9624 going to the left into a deep sand wash with bigger rocks to navigate and ends at a tunnel to go under the highway. You can access Pipeline Road or Arrowhead Trail on the other side or return to Afton Canyon Road. Unfortunately, you cannot enter the highway at this junction.

There were no campsites on this trail. Nearby, Afton Canyon Campground has fire pits, tables, and vault toilets.

Panorama Road is well-maintained, providing a nice shortcut to Mescal Creek Road. Traveling through the desert foothills of the Sheep Mountains, the elevation is still high enough to provide lovely views to the north. Along the way are the ruins of long-abandoned buildings built from local rocks. When reaching Mescal Creek Road and turning north, it leads into the Angeles National Forest.

The trail is entirely on private land, and there is no camping along this road.

A two-wheel drive SUV will do fine on the wide, flat road.

Flattop Mountain Road is a 25-mile trek and, when combined with Ship Mountain Road, creates a 100-mile adventure route from Joshua Tree to Needles, perfect for overlanders. Views galore are offered up by this rocky rolling trail, which guides one through a valley between the Old Woman and Piute Mountain ranges, then across the sandy Ward Valley Basin to eventually reach the black imposing Flattop Mountain. The base of Blacktop Mountain is also a popular rock-collecting area for Jasper.

Most of the trail is hard-packed and strewn with apple-sized rocks, traversing mild grades. Cattle wander the trail's eastern portion, and drivers are asked to keep a respectful distance. A high clearance 4x4 is best for this trail, and drivers must be prepared to self-rescue in this remote part of the desert.

Several dispersed campsites can be found along the trail, with the best wind-protected dispersed campsites around Flattop Mountain. Campfires may be prohibited, and it is the responsibility of campers to know and follow any fire restrictions.

Skirting around the northern base of Alvord Mountain, CL8211 provides an easy flat road through the desert leading out to the paved Fort Irwin Road. A cluster of trails, mines, and prospects to explore is at its west end. The trail is flat, sandy, and with occasional soccer ball-sized rocks on the trail that are easily avoided. A two-wheel drive high clearance vehicle would easily manage the trail.

Several dispersed camping sites just off the trail hug the mountain's edges providing protection from the desert wind.

20S03A, also known as Monache Corral, is the first spur road along the main Manche Meadows artery. The name likely comes from the old corral near the trail's end. As you head down this dead-end trail, it loops around the hill to a stunning remote campsite near the southern side of the meadows. This campsite at 7,890 feet above sea level is a great place to relax for a fantastic weekend due to its stunning views, remoteness, and cool weather. This trail is easy and suitable for any high clearance vehicle. Several large campsites at the end of the trail sit on the meadow's edge and can easily support large groups of 7+ rigs. The ground is flat dirt with a pine forest canopy. Just to the east, about 100 yards, is the Kern River. Following the white rock path to the river will take you to several swimming holes.

When driving the trail, you will pass through cattle gates. Please leave them as you found them unless there is a sign. If a sign is present, please follow the instructions.

20S05B, also known as Olivas Cabin Road, is named after one of the original families that settled in Owens Valley. In the 1920s, Henry Lester Olivas used this land as a summer cattle ranch, driving his herd up and down Cottonwood Canyon to Templeton Meadows, Ramshaw, Little Whitney, Big Whitney, Mulkey Meadows, and Horseshoe Meadows. In 1938, a large wooden cabin was built on the property, followed by two smaller cabins where about half a dozen people lived. Today, this area features an easy trail accessible to all offroad vehicles, with a spacious, slightly uneven forested area near the old ranch site that’s perfect for camping, accommodating groups of 7+ rigs. Whether exploring the historic surroundings or camping amid the scenic meadows, visitors are sure to enjoy a memorable weekend.

With easy access from Highway 38, Hill Ranch Road zigzags through the quiet and beautiful dense forest of the San Bernardino Mountains.  Turnouts on the road emerge from the dense forest and provide wonderful views across a wide valley to the distant mountains and Snow Summit. Creeks cross the road in two places, providing ideal spots to stop for lunch and enjoy the peaceful gurgling water, as well as watch for deer. Connected to the road is Stetson Hollow 1N86B, which is a fantastic addition to the journey. The road emerges onto the paved Glass Road, providing access to many other trails to the north or an exit on Highway 38 to the south.

Dispersed camping sites can be found at turnouts off the road, mostly near the north and south ends of the road. These large cleared areas, in the deep shade provided by the surrounding tall pines and oaks, would have room for two vehicles and their tents. These sites have no fire rings as campfires are prohibited in the forest.

Upon entering the road,  Forest Service road markers indicate an “Easiest” difficulty level. The road is maintained, graded flat with a few protruding stones easily avoided, and is wide enough to allow passing vehicles. A two-wheel drive vehicle with some clearance and a beginning off-roader would enjoy this road.

This route is the most efficient way to get from Means Dry Lake to Claw Hammer and many other famous Johnson Valley rock trails. The path is a heavily traveled route full of whoops and sand. Two-thirds of the way to Claw Hammer, you will pass the base of the sandhill or sand dunes, where you can test your traction and horsepower. This easy route can be rough and bumpy at times, but the biggest concern comes from areas of soft sand that are easy to get stuck in; thus, airing down is highly recommended.

Johnson Valley OHV area is an open OHV area, meaning you can drive anywhere, and you don't have to stay on the path if you choose not to. Portions of Johnson Valley are shared with the Twentynine Palms military base, and closures go into effect when training takes place. Please be sure to visit the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/visit/johnson-valley-ohv-area to see closure schedules.

Located in the 27,000-acre Bureau of Land Management El Mirage OHV Recreation Area, Twin Hills Road heads east from Mountain View Road, eventually ending at the fenced border of the OHVA.

The road follows rolling hills over occasionally a rocky trail provides many intersecting trails to explore and would be enjoyed by beginning offroaders or those simply looking to find a quiet, dispersed camping spot.

There is a $15 charge per day to enter the OHVA with access to the improved dry campsites and dispersed camping throughout the OHVA.

Puzzle Canyon Road is an up-and-back, maintained road over mostly private land. Near the end of the trail, exploring the ruins of a homestead stone house makes this short diversion worth the drive.

There is no camping along this trail.