Off-Road Trails in California

    11 trails ranging from easy scenic drives to expert-only rock crawling across California.

    1 Easy
    8 Moderate
    1 Hard
    1 Expert
    Expert

    Rubicon Trail

    Lake Tahoe, CA

    The legendary 22-mile trail that gave the Jeep Rubicon its name. Technical rock crawling at its finest with iconic obstacles like Cadillac Hill and the Rubicon Springs.

    Rock Crawling·22 miles
    Moderate

    Johnson Valley OHV

    Lucerne Valley, CA

    Home of King of the Hammers. 188,000 acres of diverse terrain from open desert to technical rock crawling in the Hammers.

    Park·Unlimited
    Moderate

    Death Valley Backcountry

    Death Valley, CA

    Remote desert overlanding through America's hottest and driest national park.

    Hidden Gem·Various
    Moderate

    Mojave Road

    Mojave Desert, CA

    Follow the historic mail route across roughly 150 miles of California desert, from the Colorado River to Camp Cady. A time machine through Old West history, volcanic craters, and abandoned mines.

    Overlanding·150 miles
    Moderate

    Anza-Borrego Desert Trails

    Borrego Springs, CA

    SoCal's largest state park with 500 miles of dirt roads through slot canyons, palm oases, and badlands that bloom with wildflowers after winter rains.

    Overlanding·500+ miles
    Hard

    Corral Canyon OHV

    Lake Elsinore, CA

    Technical trails through the Cleveland National Forest with challenging hill climbs and rocky terrain.

    Trail·40+ miles
    Moderate

    Lassen Backcountry Roads

    Chester, CA

    Northern California's volcanic playground. Forest roads wind past boiling mud pots, fumaroles, and pristine alpine lakes in the shadow of Lassen Peak.

    Hidden Gem·100+ miles
    Easy

    Ocotillo Wells SVRA

    Borrego Springs, CA

    85,000 acres of open desert riding with no permits required. Perfect winter escape with endless sand washes and desert terrain.

    Park·Unlimited
    Moderate

    Cleghorn Ridge OHV

    San Bernardino, CA

    Cleghorn Ridge OHV Road 2N47, a high clearance Forest Service road above Cajon Pass and Silverwood Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains.

    Trail·15.2 miles
    Moderate

    Last Chance Canyon

    Ridgecrest, CA

    A colorful desert canyon in the El Paso Mountains north of Mojave with eroded badlands, mining ruins, and Red Rock Canyon State Park. The multi-colored rock layers create one of California's most photogenic desert landscapes.

    Hidden Gem·35 miles
    Moderate

    Hungry Valley SVRA

    Gorman, CA

    19,000 acres of trails ranging from beginner-friendly fire roads to challenging rock sections. Easy access from LA.

    Park·130+ miles

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