California Off-Road Trails

On the eastern slopes of the San Bernardino National Forest, 2N75Y is a straight-through trail that follows a beautiful forest to a desert transition zone shared by Pine and Joshua Trees. The route offers a fun, moderate off-road driving challenge, leading to the quiet solitude of the few dispersed campsites and hiking trails along its length.

Sections of the trail travel over water-worn ruts down the trail's center that can be straddled, and a few stretches are over large stones and pumpkin-sized rocks. A Four Wheel Drive vehicle with high clearance is necessary to drive this trail. The quarter-mile portion of the east end of the trail starts on BLM land with a trail marker RC2311. The remaining National Forest portion has no trail markers but is easily followed. The west end of the trail connects to Antelope Creek, and from there, one must pass over the most difficult obstacle of that trail to reach an outlet via Burns Canyon Road. There is a wide turnaround at the west end of 2N75Y for an easier return back to the start. 

There are a few small dispersed campsites next to the trail with flat areas for tents and room for one or two vehicles.

Over its seven-mile length, Indian Canyon plunges 2000 feet along winding shelf roads and v-shaped canyons often surrounded by dramatic boulder fields and rock outcroppings. The higher elevations are surrounded by desert and coastal sage scrub and provide stellar views to the west. At its lower elevations, the trail suddenly enters a beautiful, dense oak woodland providing deep shade and cool temperatures, and great dispersed camping.

The few dispersed campsites found at the higher elevations are easily recognized as large clearings next to the trail, close to a ledge providing endless views and space for multiple vehicles. At least one large clearing for dispersed clearing can be found in the deep shade of the oak woodlands.

This is an easy trail, and a four-wheel drive vehicle is suggested, especially when climbing the trail. The Forest Service rates the trail as "Easiest". Indian Canyon is mostly flat and smooth with a surface of decomposed granite with some sections of off-camber measuring around 15 degrees and an average grade of 4.5 degrees. Most of the shelf portions of the trail are wide enough not to be too intimidating, but some sections may require backing up to find passing space for the rare opposing vehicle. Expect some stripping from the encroaching sage scrub.

In the southern Scodie Mountains, the short SC50 provides a convenient connection from Frog Creek SC47 to the beginning of SC37.     

The trail is well-marked with BLM trail markers.  The sandy trail is one vehicle wide with no obstacles and rises on a 6% grade, making it easy for beginning offroad drivers.

Due to the trail's steepness, there are no suitable campsites.  

Outside of Newberry Springs, California, in the BLM Broadwell Lake region, this route serves as a connector from the 40 Freeway into the Cady Mountains and Hidden Valley Wash when the railroad crossing along South Cady Flat is closed. This trail parallels the railroad tracks to a train bridge tall enough for vehicles to squeeze under. The road is easy and hard-packed making it suitable for any vehicle.

At the northern end of the main Monache Meadows artery, in an area known as the "River Campsite," 20S03D is a short dead-end spur that travels along the western side of the Kern River. Sitting at roughly 7,950 feet above sea level, this easy dirt trail along the river has about five or six campsites supporting groups from four to over ten vehicles. With the river just feet from the campsites, this is a fun place to camp and relax. At the campsites, expect level dirt ground that is perfect for tent camping and a pine forest canopy that will provide plenty of shade. Like most areas in Monache, the trail is very easy, and all offroad vehicles can take this trail.

Just don't forget your floaties and fishing gear.

Please note: This is the Golden Trout Wilderness Area, one of the few areas where golden trout naturally live. Because of this, there are special fishing rules. Please research the rules and regulations before fishing in the area. More information can be found at the "Fish and Game Website."

Sunset Trail is a 53-mile adventure from near Needles westward to Route 66, and it provides access to a dozen other intersecting trails one can explore.

The trail follows the flat contours of Ward and Fenner Valleys and has no significant obstacles. A few washouts from heavy rainfall have bypasses that have been marked with cones or barricades. A new offroad driver in a high clearance 4x4 would enjoy this trail. The trail passes through a very remote desert, and drivers should be prepared for self-rescue.

Along the trail, there are a few dispersed campsites, but no wind-sheltered campsites. Campfires may be prohibited, and it is the responsibility of campers to know and follow any fire restrictions.

In the early days of this desert region, a major route for travelers between Parker, Arizona, and Needles, California, was the historic Parker Needles Wagon Road. This rugged road skirts the western edge of the Whipple Mountains Wilderness, providing scenic views and several intersecting trails to explore. Many of the trails lead to the abandoned mines that were part of the Whipple Mining District. One of these mines, the American Eagle Mine, is very close to the road where some of its structures still stand. 

This road is rugged, transitioning from gravel to large rocky sections and through narrow, steep-walled sandy washes. Trail markers are sprinkled along the entire length of the road to help with navigation. An experienced driver in a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle will be needed to transition the length of this road.

Abundant existing dispersed campsites are spaced over the entire route. More dispersed camping can also be found following the spurs leading to the several mines near the trail, especially over the south-east half of the trail. One of the best campsites on the trail in a narrow valley is located about one mile past the intersection of Pyramid Peak Rd NS660.

This is a remote area with spotty cell phone coverage, and drivers exploring the area should carry adequate water, be equipped for self-rescue, and notify family/friends of their travel plans.

HL7154 is located seven miles north of Barstow in the Bureau of Land Management Harper Lake Subregion. The trail begins just across the road from Rainbow Basin trailhead. After exploring the Rainbow Basin, this trail is very convenient for stretching your offroad legs and enjoying the 360-degree views from the top of the mountain, extending from the colorful hills of Rainbow Basin to the snow-covered San Bernardino Mountains.

HL7154 is steep, rugged, and covered with loose rock, requiring a high clearance four-wheel drive vehicle and a driver with driver experience on these trail conditions.

Only the highest elevations of this trail are within BLM land. Fortunately, this high elevation provides spectacular views and is a beautiful place for a dispersed camp following the BLM Camping Guidelines.

During high fire danger, campfires may be restricted, and if planning to camp here, one should review the current Campfire Restrictions and have a Campfire Permit.

This particular route takes you toward the eastern edge of the Alabama Hills area and several designated campsites that offer more seclusion than you might find at other sites in the area. Be advised that driving to the end will require higher clearance and potentially 4WD if the trails are wet. Two sites along this road are well dispersed from the crowds.

About the camping on this route:

All dispersed camping is designated to a specific site and requires a permit. A permit can be obtained online or at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center or kiosks located on Movie Road and the main entry point in Lone Pine. Permits need to be signed and displayed on your dashboard. 

The BLM has created a map showing the site numbers. However, those numbers are not used in the field, but each site is clearly marked with either a camping allowed or no camping allowed symbol on a clearly visible sign. Please be aware that all sites are first come, first served, and a permit does not guarantee you will find a site. Due to the area's popularity, it is best to arrive early. 

There are six portable restrooms throughout Alabama Hills. If you do not want to drive or walk to one, you must bring your own system to pack out human waste. 

Below is a brief description of each site, listed as if you were driving from Movie Road:

• 16 and 17: Near porta-potty and accessed right from Movie Road.  
• 14: Large flat next to road backs up to rocks view of power poles.
• 15: Large and flat, hidden behind rocks. 
• 12: Flat and open and away from people. Great view of the Sierra Nevadas from camp.
• 13: This is the most secluded and large site in the area, but it's not all level. There is one small flat tent spot. If you are with a larger group, you must be able to level yourself.

Long Valley Creek (5N01A and 20EV220) is a welcoming out-and-back route that follows a creek (its namesake) as it snakes through a broad alpine valley, steadily gaining elevation until it reaches its quiet end beneath East Flange Rock and the edge of the Emigrant Wilderness. The trail is generally a mellow climb with long, meandering stretches of rough dirt broken up by a couple of short but attention-getting washout sections. These eroded pitches are what give the trail its “moderate” rating, though they’re brief and well within the comfort zone of anyone driving a high-clearance 4WD with basic trail sense.

The scenery is the trail’s real signature. Throughout the drive, you’ll catch impressive views of the surrounding volcanic ridges, particularly The Three Chimneys and East Flange Rock, both of which rise close to 10,000 feet and dominate the skyline. With a dozen dispersed campsites sporting rock-lined fire rings, it’s one of the more camping-rich drainages in this part of the Sierras. These spots vary from shaded creekside pads to open meadow perches with expansive mountain views.

Like most high-elevation routes along Highway 108, Long Valley Creek is usually buried under deep snow in winter, transforming the whole corridor into a playground for skiing and snowmobiling until late spring. In summer, expect some traffic in the broader area as hikers, campers, and reservoir-goers filter through; however, the farther you travel up the valley, the quieter it becomes.

A leisurely secluded trail paralleling the Beauty Mountain Wilderness and San Diego County's northern border. The western two-thirds of the trail has gradual ups and downs with gentle turns, providing a relaxed and scenic experience. The eastern third descends nearly four hundred feet via mild switchbacks under mature oak tree canopies before climbing back up to Rimrock Canyon Road. Stock trucks and SUVs can handle these ups and downs with decent traction. This trail suits anyone seeking a mild off-road drive while being surrounded by some of San Diego's remote mountains.

Camping

A large flat area with a hand-made rock campfire ring is located 2.7 miles from the western end. This area is large enough to accommodate eight to ten vehicles or possibly 5 vehicles and 5 tents. It also appears to be a popular shooting location, with shells and casings scattered across the ground. There is little to no shade here.

Access

While the trail itself is easy, Cooper Cienega Truck Trail to the west and Rimrock Canyon Road to the east are both slightly harder, requiring good traction in normal conditions. There is an unlocked gate with no signage where Rimrock Canyon Road turns into the trail.

Passing over the mountains immediately surrounding the western end of Big Bear, 2N87Y provides an outstanding view of Big Bear and the surrounding mountains while offering excellent dispersed campsites next to the trail. The road also passes several hiking trails, including an intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail. This straight-through at its southern end is only a short distance from paved roads that reach Big Bear City and Highway 38.

The best camping is found on the northern portion of the trail, where the gentle slopes and surrounding trees provide several shaded flat areas that with room for multiple vehicles, and soft ground perfect for pitching a tent.

This is a moderately difficult trail with long, difficult stretches, requiring driving over and around large embedded boulders and over carpets of loose orange-sized rocks. This rugged trail surface, combined with a few steep inclines, will require a high-clearance 4x4 and an experienced driver.

Old Patton Road travels through the once massive 18,000-square-mile Desert Training Center, which was established during WW II to train U.S. soldiers for combat under the harshest desert conditions. Driving the trail, one can appreciate the history here and see why the Mojave Desert was chosen to simulate what they might experience in North Africa.

The trail follows the flat contours of Cadiz Valley over its entire length, starting at the paved Highway 62 in the south and connecting to Ship Mountain Road at its north end. Combining Old Patton Road with Ship Mountain and Flattop Mountain Road provides an impressive 127-mile overland adventure.

The trail is easy over packed sand, requiring only a 2-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance, and would be enjoyed by a first-time off-roader. This trail is remote with no cell coverage, and travelers should be prepared for self-rescue before driving this trail.

Dispersed campsites can be found along the entire trail. Campfires may be prohibited, and it is the responsibility of campers to know and follow any current fire restrictions.

The BLM lists Palen Dunes as one of their recommended visits. With easy access right off of I-10, Palen Dunes Road hugs the western border of the Palen/McCoy Wilderness, passing over the sandy desert, through the dunes area, and ending at Palen Pass Road.  Unlike more active dunes, Palen Dunes are characterized by vegetation-stabilized sand sheets and are estimated to move about 160ft per year. There is no open riding on the dunes allowed, and vehicles must remain on the posted road.

The BLM trail markers show Palen Dunes Drive as "Easy", but the section north of the dunes is moderately difficult due to the six-inch-sized rock making up the trail surface. Users can also expect frequent two-foot or more deep water worn ruts across the road caused by runoff from the Palen Mountains to the east. A high clearance 4x4 is required to manage this trail.  In the dunes area, no open riding is allowed, and vehicles must remain on the posted road.

While dispersed camping can be enjoyed over the entirety of Palen Dunes Drive, the most appropriate dispersed camp sites are near the dunes.  Even in the desert, campfires may be prohibited.  Campers are responsible for knowing the campfire restrictions and having a campfire permit, which can be found at the BLM Palm Springs South Coast Field Office and the Cal Fire websites, along with instructions to obtain an online campfire permit. 

This is a very remote area with weak cell coverage, and drivers should, before leaving, communicate their travel plans to family and friends, should carry adequate water, and be equipped for self-rescue.

Philbrook Road in the Lassen National Forest is the trail to the High Lakes OHV area and Philbrook Campground. This dense forest trail is roughly 5,606 feet above sea level and splits off Humbug Road near Paradise, CA. With towering pines, this trail is easy to get mentally lost due to its tranquil and scenic beauty. As you near the trail's end, you will pass by a seasonal lake (Philbrook Reservoir) and Philbrook Campground, which PG&E. owns. If you continue past that, several private cabins are on the eastern side of the lake before the trail continues to other trails. All offroad vehicles can do this trail since this is a maintained dirt road.

20S03C is a short spur road off the main Monache Meadows artery that quickly dead-ends close to the meadow to the east. With the Kern River just feet outside the treeline, people often use this area to camp away from the crowds and enjoy a relaxing weekend. The trail is an in-and-back like every trail in Monache and is suitable for any high clearance vehicle. The camping is a pine forest-covered area with flat dirt ground, making it ideal for ground camping. The area is large, and a group of 7+ rigs could easily camp near the trail's end.

20S07, also known as Monache Creek Road, is named after the small creek it follows and offers a scenic route leading to forest administration cabins and the Olancha Pass hiking trail. Near the trailhead, a large campsite provides an ideal spot for those looking to camp away from the crowds, accommodating groups with 7 or more vehicles. The campsite features flat, level dirt ground, perfect for ground camping amidst a dense pine forest. The trail runs alongside the creek, making its conditions somewhat rougher and more variable than other trails, but it is still accessible for high-clearance offroad vehicles. However, it's important to note that, like all trails in Monache Meadows, this is a dead-end trail, requiring drivers to return the same way they came in.

Dead in the center of Monache Meadows is 20S10. Sitting at 7,900 feet above sea level, this Monache Meadows trail is the trail people see on social media and in TV commercials. This is that iconic photo or video of vehicles crossing the Kern River in a unique, beautiful meadow with a dark green forest on the mountains behind it. With the water crossing averaging 1 to 4 feet deep, people gather to watch as brave offroaders and overlanders cross this inspiring water crossing. Besides the vehicle show, this area is perfect for taking in the fantastic scenery, fishing the mountain river, and swimming in a once-in-a-lifetime wonderland. Some say this is a heavenly experience. 20S10 is often combined with 20S05 to do create a loop across both Kern River crossings. Since you are crossing a river in a sandy location, 4WD would be ideal and the safest recommendation. Thus, any 4WD offroad vehicle with high ground clearance should be acceptable as long as you can forge the water safely. However, due to the changing water depth, the rating could quickly change from easier to more challenging.

There is no suitable camping along this trail, but near the western trailhead is the famous meadows camping area off 20S03.

Please note: This is the Golden Trout Wilderness Area, one of the few areas where golden trout naturally live. Because of this, there are special fishing rules. Please research the rules and regulations before fishing in the area. More information can be found on the "Fish and Game Website."

High in the southern Scodie Mountains, this short connecting trail straddles a 6,000-foot high ridge to provide exhilarating views across Bird Spring Canyon out to the Kaivah Wilderness and 2,800 feet below to the Mojave desert floor. Rising high above the eastern end of the trail is a short hiking trail to Wyleys Knob and its communication towers. The Pacific Crest Trail hugs close to the northern side of the road and intersects at one point.

SC34 itself is an easy trail, but reaching it requires traveling up the sides of the steep ridge over the very challenging trails SC37 or SC69.

Tucked up against a rock jumble that provides wind shelter is the only location suitable for dispersed camping. Dispersed camping can be enjoyed in the Scodie Subregion when meeting the BLM Camping Guidelines. During high fire danger, campfires may be restricted, and if planning to camp here, one should review the current BLM Campfire Restrictions and have a Campfire Permit.

The Alabama Hills area is filled with Western genre movie sites, and this route leads to where "Seven Men From Now" was filmed. The story can be summed up as "a rancher (Randolph Scott) hunts down those responsible for killing his wife during a Wells Fargo holdup." The film may be more exciting than the road, as any 2WD vehicle should have no problems driving it. This is a day-use-only area with no camping.

Round Valley 4x4 Trail (7N93) is a rewarding out-and-back route that begins just off Highway 4 at the Round Valley SNO-PARK, where a spacious paved parking area and pit toilet make it a convenient spot to air down, stage vehicles, or meet a group. From the trailhead, the route immediately begins climbing through mixed forest on a rough dirt surface, occasionally scattered with small embedded rock. The grade steadily steepens as you gain elevation, and while the surface is never overly technical, the climb does call for low-range gearing and confident throttle control. The trail traces narrow ridgelines and exposed hillsides, gradually leaving the dense tree cover behind. As you ascend closer to Reba Peak, the environment opens dramatically—trees give way to alpine meadows and sprawling, high-elevation slopes that feel airy and remote.

Near the summit, the terrain becomes more rugged, peppered with loose rock and occasional dips and ruts, but remains passable for any high-clearance 4WD. The reward for making the climb is exceptional. From the top, you’ll enjoy commanding views of Stanislaus National Forest and the Mokelumne Wilderness, including prominent vantage points of Mount Reba, Wheeler Peak, and the shimmering waters of Union Reservoir below. Dispersed campsites are scattered along the upper sections of the trail, especially where flat, open terrain allows for easy vehicle access. These elevated camps boast breathtaking scenery and cool mountain air, making them ideal for anyone seeking solitude and big-sky surroundings, but they are small, typically accommodating only 1-2 vehicles.

This route is beginner-friendly for drivers who understand steep terrain and basic use of low-range gearing, making it a great introduction to higher-elevation off-roading. The trail is typically snowbound and inaccessible during winter months, when the same terrain becomes popular with cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. In summer, visitation around Highway 4 can be busy on weekends, but the trail’s length and terrain help maintain a quieter, more remote feel. Round Valley 4x4 Trail is a memorable climb into the alpine, perfect for those looking for scenic moderate terrain, dispersed camping, and unforgettable mountaintop views.

20S04 is a short, dead-end spur off the main Monache Meadows artery primarily used for camping. This trail is heavily forested with beautiful pine, offering almost zero undergrowth, making it ideal for tent camping. The ground is flat-level dirt with plenty of places for any size group to pull off into a spot and relax for the weekend. This is a great spur for groups looking to camp in Monache but looking to avoid the meadows or river campsites. Like most trails in the area, the trail is easy to drive, and any offroad vehicle can travel it. The trail does dead-end at private property. Thus, this is an in-and-back trail.

SV6528 leads into a flat Mohave Desert basin following the southwestern edge of the Silver Mountains. This is a straight-through trail that provides connections to several other trails that surround these mountains.

The southern third of the trail is on public land and offers several dispersed camping opportunities when meeting the BLM Camping Guidelines.During high fire danger, campfires may be restricted, and if planning to camp here, one should review the current BLM Campfire Restrictions and have a Campfire Permit.

SV6528 is an easy drive that requires only a high clearance two-wheel drive vehicle.