Oregon Off-Road Trails

Horsfall Beach is a go-to spot for offroad enthusiasts craving a relaxed coastal adventure with a side of adrenaline. Tucked within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, this sprawling sand spit between Coos Bay and the Pacific Ocean offers stunning views, silky-soft sand, and endless opportunities for outdoor fun. It’s a hotspot for OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) riders, thanks to its designated trails and wide-open dune riding areas. Just be sure to air down before hitting the soft sand.

Access the action from the south at Horsfall Beach Campground and OHV Staging Area, or from the north via Spinreel Campground and OHV Staging Area. While beach camping isn’t allowed, you’ll find plenty of options nearby—from ocean-view campsites nestled in the dunes to public and private OHV campgrounds with direct dune access. Whether you're carving tracks across the beach or simply soaking in the coastal beauty, Horsfall Beach promises a memorable ride.

Burnt Ranch Road in Mitchell, Oregon, meanders through a picturesque landscape, offering a gateway to some of the region's most stunning natural attractions. Nestled near the vibrant hues of the Painted Hills, this road goes by Byrd's Point, where panoramic views captivate travelers, and the winding John Day River, a serene and scenic waterway. The road is in good condition and maintained to ensure a smooth journey for visitors. While the area's beauty might entice adventurers to camp along the roadside, it is essential to note that camping is only permitted within designated areas. These include the Burnt Ranch Recreation Site and the Lower Burnt Ranch Campground, both situated by the John Day River, providing well-equipped spots to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings.

Nestled within the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area, McPhillips Beach is a picturesque two-mile stretch of sandy coastline that remains one of Oregon Coast's best-kept secrets. Just three miles north of the vibrant Cape Kiwanda and Pacific City, this serene beach offers dramatic scenery defined by colorful sandstone formations, towering cliffs, and steep bluffs. Its peaceful setting makes it a delightful alternative to its busier southern counterparts, though it does attract more visitors during peak seasons.

McPhillips Beach provides the perfect backdrop for your coastal adventures. It’s also uniquely vehicle-accessible, allowing you to drive right onto the beach for a closer view of the rolling Pacific waves—just be cautious of the soft sand to avoid getting stuck!

Accessing McPhillips Beach is straightforward, though the routes are unmarked: choose the subtle access road just south of the charming community of Tierra Del Mar, or find another route approximately 1.3 miles north of the Cape Kiwanda parking lot. Vehicles can be parked at the convenient gravel parking area or driven further downhill towards the shore.

While camping isn't permitted directly on McPhillips Beach, nearby Pacific City offers a variety of accommodation options catering to all tastes and budgets, ensuring visitors can comfortably extend their coastal escape.

Hess is one of those trails that makes you gasp at its steepness, but the climb rewards you with jaw-dropping views of the Snake River and Hells Canyon. As you ascend from the arid lower reaches, the landscape transforms dramatically. Sparse grasses and sagebrush give way to dense forests of Ponderosa pines, and as you climb higher, Douglas firs begin to appear. The Wallowa Mountains, cradling the canyon, present a picturesque ensemble of high peaks, alpine meadows, and valleys sculpted by ancient glaciers. This area is teeming with biodiversity; spotting bighorn sheep, deer, eagles, and other wildlife is common.

While no discernible campsites are directly off this road, spurs lead to primitive camping spots. This single-lane trail is unmaintained, and a high-clearance vehicle is advised to navigate the washouts and gullies. Hess can be accessed from the north at Wallowa Mountain Loop or the south at Homestead Road.

Tub Springs Road is a rocky dirt road that offers amazing views of Lower Owyhee River Canyon. The spur towards the trail's southern end is the best part; it's a rocky road that'll take you to an epic view of a horseshoe-shaped bend in the Owyhee River.

This is mostly easy to navigate, but there are occasional steep rocky hills to climb, so 4WD is nice to have but not necessary. However, high clearance is a must for this trek. 

Tub Springs Road intersects Kiger Road in the south, which will take you to the Pillars of Rome, a cool rock formation worth checking out. It intersects Rinehart Ranch Road in the north.

Snake River Road meanders through lush riparian vegetation along the waterways by the river, showcasing high, velvety green hills, striking basaltic rock outcrops, and sagebrush plateaus. Picturesque campsites dot the water's edge, perfect for casting a line and soaking in the serenity. As part of the Snake River Mormon Basin Back Country Byway, this route welcomes two-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles, linking the town of Huntington with the charming village of Richlands. While the drive is generally easy, caution is essential on the narrow, shelf-like sections that lack guardrails.

This continuous road has several name changes as you drive it, including FS 4680, Horse Creek Road, and Joseph Creek Road. It begins a gravel road with many potholes at Forest Service Road 46 and runs along the top of Hell’s Canyon. After six miles, the gravel road descends to the river level and, on the way down, becomes a very rough dirt and rock road for about twelve miles. It then becomes a nice gravel road down to the Grande Ronde River. The first and last sections are suitable for driving in any vehicle. The middle section is very rough and slow, requiring ground clearance and durable tires, and four-wheel drive is recommended for going up. This road offers views of the river canyon from the top and bottom, making it a very interesting drive.

No campgrounds are along the road, but dispersed camping is allowed, although only a few pre-disturbed locations exist.

This is a point-to-point route that starts at the intersection with FR18 on the east end and ends at the intersection with FR22 on the west end. It is a gravel road subject to significant washboarding. The majority of this route is in the East Fort Rock OHV trail system, so be on the lookout for ATVs and UTVs! There are no suitable camping opportunities along this trail.

Nestled miles away in the middle of southeast Oregon’s high desert, Willow Creek Hot Springs features a solitary soaking pool. Accessible by an all-season gravel and dirt road, Whitehorse Fifteen Mile, the final stretch, traverses soft dirt that becomes impassable during rain, so timing your visit is crucial.

This unique high desert oasis boasts a pool that remains nearly 102 degrees year-round. Deep and wide, it offers a rare, unspoiled retreat, with only a simple hot/cold water mortar dam marking any improvement.

There are a few dispersed campsites with pit toilets near the springs, picnic tables, and fire rings.

Starting at Highway 31, this route goes west up and alongside Corral Butte and many others! It is a scenic drive that gets pretty steep, with significant ruts and rocks in areas. 4WD and high clearance are highly recommended. Camping areas are plentiful along this route. Please note that you can continue onto Crooked Meadow, numbered 94 on the west end.

Looking Glass Road is a well-maintained gravel road suitable for any vehicle; it runs from near Troy to FR 63, where it is 18 more miles to Elgin, where fuel, services, and supplies are available. Different sections of 62 follow along the edge of big canyons or cross the Elgin Flat away from the canyons. Almost the entire road is forested, with some sections offering spectacular panoramic views while other sections are more closed. There are no campgrounds along the road, but dispersed camping is allowed, and there are a few established dispersed sites available. The major hazards are dust, minor potholes, and blind curves.

Starting at The Dalles-California Highway, this route traverses the Pumice Flats area. True to that name, the pumice dust on this route is plentiful! The road is very dusty, narrow, and steep at times. Also, beware of freshly fallen trees. Overall, pretty much any vehicle with a bit of ground clearance should be fine. There are several side roads that lead to great dispersed camping options.

Three Forks Road is a great drive near the Owhyee Canyon Wilderness of Eastern Oregon. This route offers truly amazing views of the Owyhee River Canyon, the best one being the turnout about halfway down the road. There are signs for it; make sure you stop and see it right off the main road.

The gravel road is well-maintained and wide. However, you must watch your speed because there are potholes along the way that can come out of nowhere. And it is an open range, so watch out for livestock on the road.

Lord Flat Road, constructed in 1960 to combat the Pony Bar Fire, is the only access route still open, as the Forest Service closed all other roads in 1985. Though this track is relatively bumpy, it is manageable for a standard 4x4 vehicle. The section of the track leading to Lord Flat offers some of the best and most remote camping in Hells Canyon, as it offers stunning views of canyons, the Wallowa Mountains, and the Seven Devils Mountains.

Historically known as Buckaroo Flat, this area is named after hunter and stockman James Lord. The Lord Flat Airstrip, constructed in 1943 by Tom Willett and Joe Connor under a Forest Service contract, primarily serves hunters during the season. The airstrip, marked by a windsock and white-painted rocks, undergoes occasional volunteer maintenance but remains rough.

If you visit Lord Flat, stop by the historic Dorrance Cow Camp and Cabin. Keep your vehicle clear of the operational airstrip, which has been used since 1943 for both commercial and private aviators. Note that the Forest Service closes this road to vehicle travel from late August through November.