California Off-Road Trails

This is the only trail that runs north to south on the northern side of Death Valley. This is also the easiest way into the Saline Valley. The trail has amazing views of the mountains towering over the salt flats. The area is a very remote desert with no resources. Never travel alone. Dispersed camping is abundant along Saline Valley. For warmer days, check out Boxcar Cabin on the southern side up in the mountains. With cooler weather, plenty of camping is available in the Saline Valley, the center area of this trail. All camping is dispersed and remote. Prepare accordingly.

On the north side of Canyon Pass near Apple Valley, California is a fun and exciting trail that can challenge even the most experienced of drivers. 2N17X Pilot Fuelbreak, or the old Pilot Rock Trail, is a short but extreme off-road trail that winds up the hills near Lake Arrowhead and Silverwood Lake. Full of steep hills and amazing views, there is no wonder why Southern Californians come from far to wheel this epic offroad trail. But don't be worried if you are not in some built rock buggy, the trail is perfect even for people in stock vehicles. That is because it has bypasses around the very hard lines, but still, some fun stuff for the more stock vehicles to struggle on. So jump in your 4x4, and check out this ultimate Jeep trail in SoCal.

The keyhole to the highest point in Orange County, North Main Divide Trail, is known for its proximity to Central Orange County and amazing views. The trail skirts along the side of the mountains, reaching both peaks of the famous Saddleback Mountain that separates Orange County and Riverside County. While heading up to Modjeska Peak, the trail is mostly rocky, while the second half going up to Santiago Peak is mostly dirt. Santiago Peak reaches a staggering 5,689 feet above sea level, allowing for cooler weather during the summer and snow in the winter. Not only is the nice weather and the fact that it is only minutes from the metropolitan area of Orange County what brings people to this area, but it is also the stunning views and the remote location, plus the great off-road experience, which provides what many say is the perfect combination for an amazing off-road trip.

Did we mention this is probably the best sunset in Orange County...

Hapaha Flats in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a real treat. Rarely traveled due to its location within the park, the trail has that "away from it all" solitude. The four-wheel drive road rolls through the desert surrounded by Ocotillo, Desert Willow, and Agave in the land once home to the Kumeyaay, also known as the Tipai-lpai, a Native American tribe. They hunted and gathered in the area in the spring and winter months. The pictographs and morteros in the area tell their story of how they were one with the land. Plan for a full day of adventure for this one, as you must drive Fish Creek out and back or take Pinyon Mountain Road.

Coyote Canyon Road is a popular trail on the west side of Anza Borrego, known for its year-round water crossings. This oasis-like area of the desert is fun to travel through, especially in the spring during the desert flower blooms. The area directly around the trailhead is marked on State Park maps as a popular flower field with bright purple coloring the landscape. Be mindful of heavy foot traffic as visitors come to see the blooms, and respect management rules. During his overland exploration, Captain Juan Bautista De Anza named Coyote Canyon, where he camped in this area on March 14, 1774. In 1775, Anza led a colonizing expedition of 240 people and over 800 head of livestock from Tubac, Arizona, to modern-day San Francisco, California. Coyote Canyon Road closes at Waypoint 9 from June 1 to September 30 to preserve the watering opportunities for the Desert Bighorn Sheep.

Stockton Flats is a short drive from the densely populated Inland Empire and takes you deep within the 200,000-acre Front Country Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest. The trail lies at the eastern-most extension of the San Gabriel Mountains. The trail offers a chance to leave civilization behind and see what this rugged country looked like 100 years ago. Only a few weeks of the year does snow stay around, bringing a quiet to the forest that is only interrupted by the occasional sagging tree branch dropping snow. Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash.

Bee Canyon offers a relaxing off-road experience that showcases the transition from sandy desert washes to the scenic chaparral-covered foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains. Along the route, visitors can enjoy sweeping mountain views, seasonal wildflowers, and a variety of native plants, including manzanita, scrub oak, yucca, and California sagebrush. The trail's gentle terrain makes it an excellent choice for beginners, while its peaceful setting offers a great opportunity to spot local wildlife, including mule deer, quail, hawks, and coyotes. Whether you're looking for a scenic drive, a family-friendly adventure, or a gateway to the surrounding San Bernardino National Forest trail system, Bee Canyon delivers a rewarding Southern California off-road experience.

3N06B Paiute Spur is a beautiful trail in the north fork of Lytle Creek which is in the San Bernardino National Forest. This trail, along with others nearby, is a camper's paradise with three designated Yellow Post sites, besides the unlimited dispersed camping sites available. You may see Deer, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Lion, and the rest of the forest creatures that call these canyons home, so respect them. Come to Lytle Creek for a day run and picnic, or include your camping gear for a week or two.

Espinosa Trail is a short, fun connector trail that forms an 18-mile loop in Cleveland National Forest. The trail travels along Espinosa Creek in the southern end of the Cleveland National Forest and is bordered by private land, Pine Creek Wilderness to the north and west, and Hauser Wilderness to the south. The trail runs between Los Pinos Road and Corte Madera Road and offers magnificent views of San Diego's own version of Half Dome, the immense Corte Madera Mountain at just over 4,600' of elevation. Corte Madera, Spanish for "to chop the wood," was a heavily logged area in the 18th century, providing much of the timber for the southern California missions. Approximately 4 miles south of the Espinosa Trailhead is Corral Canyon OHV Area, which offers up to 50 miles of OHV trails ranging from easy to very difficult. Along with this road, the 18-mile loop consists of the following additional roads and trails: 16S17 - Los Pinos Road 17S04 - Corral Canyon Road 4E03 - Corte Madera Road 17S06 - Skye Valley Road

Doran Canyon is one of the most difficult rock crawling trails near Barstow, California, just outside Calico Ghost Town. The landscape here feels different from neighboring Odessa Canyon, with a rugged, raw desert environment that immediately sets the tone for a serious trail. While both canyons are similar in difficulty through much of their length, Doran has one defining feature that sets it apart: the legendary Doran Gatekeeper.

Doran’s Gatekeeper is an insanely difficult obstacle, stacked with boulders larger than most vehicles. The gaps between the rocks are so deep that it’s common to see rigs lean hard or lay onto their side while attempting to climb through. Watching extreme off-roaders take on this obstacle is a spectacle. Vehicles appear to disappear as the rocks seem to swallow them whole. It’s not unusual for a Jeep Wrangler or Toyota to drop into a hole, only to fight their way out with heavy body damage and trail scars to show for it.

And the challenge doesn’t end there. The rest of Doran Canyon is relentless, featuring large rock waterfalls, tight technical sections, and off-camber lines that demand careful tire placement. This is not a casual trail. Doran Canyon pushes both driver and vehicle to their limits and delivers one of the most intense rock crawling experiences in the Mojave.

Located in the rugged El Paso Mountains within Red Rock Canyon State Park, Last Chance Canyon is a premier offroad destination known for its steep canyon walls, technical rock obstacles, and rich history. Just a few hours from Los Angeles, this challenging trail is a favorite among rock crawlers and adventure seekers looking to test their skills on its demanding terrain.

Beyond its offroading appeal, Last Chance Canyon is steeped in history. The surrounding region was once a hotspot for gold prospectors and miners, with remnants of the Dutch Cleanser Mine and the legendary Bonanza area still standing as a testament to California’s mining past. Notable pioneers like Walter Bickel and William “Burro” Schmidt left a lasting impact on the area, with Burro Schmidt’s famous tunnel still attracting curious explorers today.

Whether you're drawn by the thrill of the drive—including the infamous V-Notch obstacle—or the allure of the Old West, Last Chance Canyon offers an unforgettable journey through time and terrain. If you're looking for an epic offroad adventure near Los Angeles, this historic and scenic trail is your chance to experience the wild spirit of the California desert.

Goler Wash, also known as Goler Canyon, is an enjoyable off-road cut through over the Panamint Mountain Range from Ballarat near Trona to Death Valley National Park in California. The trial is popular for being the home of Barker Ranch, aka Manson Ranch. In 1969 the FBI raided the ranch when they found out the Manson Family was living there. But don't think this is an easy 4x4 pass through. The trail is known to get washed out making it a go-to place for a mild offroad trail to wild overland adventures. Along the route expect beautiful scenery of the canyons that seem to tower above you while the old mines placed up on the side of the cliffs seem to have no way for people to ever access them. If the trail is washed out, expect an intermediate waterfall that is slick with running water on over it. Today, the park service spends a lot of time maintaining this trail, trying to keep the trail easily passable for even a 2wd. To spice things up, make this into a weekend overland adventure including off-roading Warm Springs Road, Butte Valley, Mengel Pass, and Goler Wash. This just might be the best 4wd Jeep Trails you have or will ever take and the dispersed camping is top notch.

Man has traveled this road for thousands of years, making it an ancient offroad trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Vallecito Creek Road was part of the Southern Overland Trail. Today it provides an immersive offroad experience of the lower desert along the southern edge of the Carizzo Badlands. Seasonally the area can be Hades or can be Heaven. The heavenly part is that the air is filled with aromatic Desert Sand Verbena and Desert Gold paired with the dry, easy-to-breathe desert air. Wherever you look, the foreground is filled with a chaotic yet sensible composite of vibrant colors against a backdrop of dystopian badlands, all of which are everlastingly watched over by the imposing Vallecito Mountains. The road is a destination and connects to several other routes, making it the perfect pairing for your Anza-Borrego overland trip!

Mengel Pass is a popular trail within Death Valley National Park as it connects Panamint Valley on the west end of Death Valley to beautiful Butte Valley on the east side. Along the trail are an overlook of Butte Valley and Striped Butte plus the gravesite of Carl Mengel, a historic prospector from the early 20th century. The trail is no easy feat with its constant changing terrain and difficulty. Some days the trail is a mild path while other days, it can damage any vehicle that attempts the crossing. Due to the changing landscape of the obstacles, Mengel Pass is a fun and challenging run for all comers!

Del Sur Ridge, located in the Angeles National Forest near Santa Clarita is rough dirt and gravel with several washed-out areas. The main trail is fairly easy and can be done in 2WD. High clearance is recommended on account of the washed-out sections, which often change drastically after rains. 

There are several moderately challenging optional offshoots that require 4WD. The offshoots all lead back to the main trail, which makes this a good trail for both beginner and intermediate skill levels that might be traveling together. With a max elevation of 3,600 feet, it’s worth using the frequent turnouts to admire the views of the surrounding hills and valleys.  

While you can run Del Sur Ridge out and back, most people use 6N19 as a loop back to Bouquet Canyon, the main road. Del Sur Ridge ends at a locked gate. The trail's end does have nice views of Bouquet Reservoir.

There is no camping on the trail.