California Off-Road Trails

Steel Pass is one of Death Valley’s crown-jewel backcountry routes. It is remote, rugged, and strikingly beautiful. Connecting Saline Valley to the Eureka Dunes, this trail carries you through an ever-changing landscape of salt flats, colorful canyons, volcanic rock, and endless desert horizons. Drivers can expect a steady climb from the warm springs in Saline Valley up through the narrows of Dedeckera Canyon, where tight rock walls and a few mild ledge obstacles add just enough technical flavor to keep things exciting without requiring an extreme rock crawler.

The Slot is an extremely narrow sandstone hiking canyon located in the heart of Anza-Borrego State Park. This popular, family-friendly destination is a great opportunity to take a dirt road to a mesmerizing slot canyon carved by millions of years of flash floods and eroding rock. This unique hiking opportunity in southern California starts as an open-ish area but quickly closes in. At points along the hike, you will be trying to shimmy sideways to continue. Once it reaches the bottom, it opens up to Borrego Mountain Wash, where your 4-wheel drive friends can pick you up and return you to the parking area. Great for groups, friends, or solo adventures, The Slot is a great place to visit for those who come prepared for a day in the desert. The Slot can reach over 110 degrees in the summer, so be sure to bring lots of water and notify people where you are going. This area is at high risk of flash floods and should only be entered on sunny days.

2N06X, aka Lower Larga Flat, is a short offroad connection generally used to bypass the middle rock garden on Holcomb Creek. But don't think this trail isn't hard because it is considered a bypass. 2N06X offers intense rocky hill climbs, large boulder rock gardens, and crazy off-camber spots that will make you think twice. Many people find this to be a fun trail for intermediate drivers ready to make the next step up in difficulty.

Dense forest, water crossings, steep switchbacks, moderate rock obstacles and some amazing views at the Shuteye Peak fire watch tower will make this one of your favorite California trails. High in the Bass Lake Ranger District of the Sierra National Forest, Shuteye Peak overlooks from the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains to Kaiser Pass, Shaver Lake and

Bald Mountain

, to Bass Lake, the Yosemite Wilderness past Madera Peak, over California's Central Valley and beyond. With such diverse trail characteristic from start to finish, Shuteye Peak is one of Central Californias top trails and a must-do for any wheeler looking for high mountain views.

Often referred to as the Grand Canyon of Mojave, Afton Canyon offers a stunning and rugged drive through one of California’s most unique desert landscapes. Located along historic Route 66 and following the iconic Mojave River, this remote canyon features dramatic rock formations, colorful cliffs, and rare year-round water, making it a haven for wildlife and photographers alike. Visitors can explore slot canyons, hike to hidden oases, and even spot bighorn sheep amid the striking desert scenery. Whether you're a nature lover, offroad enthusiast, or history buff intrigued by its connection to the railroad and Old West, Afton Canyon is a must-visit destination for those seeking an unforgettable Mojave Desert experience.

Sidewinder Canyon is an offshoot of Burns Canyon Road 2N02. People often take this fun little trail that is looking to spice up their adventure when traveling 2N02. This little fun trail has a few challenges that a new driver in most stock high ground clearance 4x4's can do without pushing them too hard, like the neighboring Heartbreak Ridge. So if traveling through the area and looking for something new or different, make the turn south and run this short but fun little trail.

Mortero Wash is a popular destination in Anza-Borrego due to its rich cultural and historical significance and stunning natural beauty. The wash is located in a southeast area of the park and offers visitors a chance to explore the region's fascinating history and unique geological formations. The wash is home to many stunning rock formations and canyons, including the Mortero Palms, an oasis of palm trees fed by a natural spring. Also rich in railroad history, you hike to the famous Goat Canyon Train Trustle, the world's largest wooden train bridge, or keep it easy and check out the old stop directly off the trail. The Kumeyaay, early Native Americans left behind various ancient artifacts, including mortars and pestles used for grinding seeds and grains that you can witness in the Piedras Grandes Cultural Preserve found on the trail.

Discover Big Bear’s Best-Kept Secret: 2N13 Snow Slide Trail, which could possibly be one of the most underrated overland trails in Big Bear. Snow Slide Trail is a hidden scenic route through the San Bernardino National Forest that's perfect for a family outing or a weekend adventure with friends. If you're looking to escape the crowds and take in some unbelievable scenery, this trail delivers.

This seasonal route features a smooth, easy-to-navigate trail, making it a great option for stock offroad vehicles. As you follow the trail, you'll be treated to sweeping views that make it feel like you can see the edge of the world. It's the kind of place where you stop to take it all in.

For those who enjoy dispersed camping, Snow Slide Trail offers several quiet, scenic spots that are perfect for setting up camp. Most sites along the way boast incredible views and a peaceful atmosphere that feels miles away from civilization.

If you're in the mood to explore something new and off the radar, Snow Slide should be at the top of your list. It’s a hidden gem waiting to be explored.

The trail climbs up and over the hills overlooking Death Valley. The trail starts in the desert and heads up the hills into the forest, eventually getting above the treeline. Across the valley is Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48. As you follow the ridgeline, you pass what was the old salt tram that took salt from Death Valley down to what was a lake on the west side. Please note: This trail has extremely steep sections. The grade was so steep it was unsafe to get out of the vehicle or even try to take photos of the group. Proceed with caution and never attempt this trail on wet or snowy days.

The Funeral Range Trail joins a long list of Death Valley areas with morbid names: Coffin Peak, Hell's Gate, Starvation Canyon and Dead Man Pass. The trail runs through the Funeral Mountains along Upper Echo Canyon and offers one of the few difficult trail runs within the national park. Tight canyon walls and rock ledges up to 3' in height will test a vehicle's articulation and a driver's skill level. In addition, the trail lies along the eastern edge of the park and starts and stops in two different states: California and Nevada.

South Carrizo Creek follows its namesake water tributary through a flood plane resulting in one of the greenest trails in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. With lush vegetation and perfect for late winter flowers, the trail provides spectacular views of the Vallecito, Tierra Blanco, and the Sawtooth Mountains in one direction and the Carrizo Badlands in another. When exploring the more famous trails, such as Canyon Sin Nombre, don't lose sight of this gem hidden in plain sight.

Forest Route 3N34D is the 4x4 trail to Devil's Hole, a dark, deep, swirling pool of water in Deep Creek, north of Lake Arrowhead, California. Devil's Hole is a popular warm-weather destination. This trail offers the chance to combine some 4x4 adventure with a cool dip in the creek, some relaxation near the water's edge, fishing, or even hiking (The Pacific Crest Trail cuts through this trail near the water). In summer months, plan to come early and stay late to avoid the 4x4 traffic jams on this narrow, winding offroad trail.