Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Banks Lake South, Washington

Douglas Creek Creekside Campsite

This trail is gorgeous and features views unique to eastern Washington. There are a few shallow water crossings and some light mud. Some of the water crossings in the area have large rocks, so take…
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Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Duffy Creek Overlook

The Duffy Creek route takes you across some of the most scenic BLM land in central Washington. Most of the route overlooks the stunning Waterville Plateau. The route eventually descends into Duffy Creek; however, that…
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Total Miles
4.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa / Wi

Frenchman Coulee Tour

Most travelers explore the south side of Frenchman Coulee and completely overlook the solitude of the north side. The spur trails lead you to various vantage points along the coulee rim. Each of those spurs…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Quilomene Ridge Road

One-way route with beautiful views over Quilomene Ridge Road to a large camp spot on the banks of Columbia River north of Vantage, WA. This is a nice trip for a group as the camp…
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Total Miles
27.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Wild Horse Monument

This is a relatively easy trail that takes you beyond the Wild Horse Monument and into BLM land. Overall, this is a GREAT trail to learn the basics of off-roading in a fun and safe…
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Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Hungry Mountain

The Hungry Mountain Trail begins 1 mile west of the Methow River, where Gold Creek Road meets Forest Service Road 4330/South Fork Gold Creek. The easy-going route is made up of gravel, crushed granite, and…
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Total Miles
12.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Rattlesnake

Paved road from staging to Rattlesnake Rd turnoff, then gravel and two-track road around the route, until the final paved segment of Scatter Creek Rd back to the staging area. Some portions of the route…
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Total Miles
17
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time

Jackknife Ridge Road

Jackknife Ridge Road takes you from the Columbia River at Whiskey Dick Creek, up and over Jackknife Ridge. This recorded route ends at Skookumchuck Creek, which may or may not be passible depending on the…
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Total Miles
6.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Swan Lake 2

A combination of paved and gravel roads through forested and open rural country side. The route is designed to transit either to or from Republic to the Swan Lake region which is a popular recreation…
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Total Miles
28.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time

Swan Lake 1

This is one of several short loop rides in a popular camping/recreation area of Ferry County. Scatter Creek Rd is paved into the Swan Lake campground area, but the remaining roads on the route are…
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Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time

Sheep Mtn

Gravel road for the most part, with occasional dirt/muddy areas, depending on weather. Easy ride, gentle pitches.
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Total Miles
9.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time

Homestead Trail

This is a rough dirt and rocky trail leading to the remains of an old Homestead. On this route depending on the time of year you go through there are 2 water crossings but they…
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Total Miles
15.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

North Fork Gold Creek

The North Fork Gold Creek trail begins 7.25 miles from Hwy 153 at the junction with Buttermilk-Libby Road. This easy route is made up of gravel and crushed granite and travels almost entirely through the…
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Total Miles
12
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su

Washington Backcountry Discovery Route - Section 4

The Washington Backcountry Discovery Route (WABDR) is a trail that runs from Canada to Oregon, initially designed for adventure and dual-sport motorcycles as well as 4X4 vehicles. This trail covers most of section 4. Unfortunately,…
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Total Miles
49.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Quartz Mountain

The roads in the Quartz Mountain area are mainly gravel roads, with side roads being less travelled, two track roads that may be rutted, rocky and muddy in spots. Road to the old lookout site…
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Total Miles
26.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time

Whiskey Dick Scenic Overlook Trail

This is an extremely rough rocky dirt road. The road goes by several different reservoirs and dams. It has very scenic views from on top of a ridge line looking down at the Columbia River…
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Total Miles
13
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Windfarm Adventure

This easy gravel road takes you through the Puget Sound Energy Wild Horse Wind Farm. A typical passenger car can handle this section with ease. Starting at the closed gate (season dependent), on the keypad,…
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Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Republic-Curlew

Portions of the route are on paved county roads, with the majority of the route on gravel roads. Two way traffic is common. Very easy ride.
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Total Miles
43.6
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time

Franson Peak

Some pave roads getting to the forest roads out of Republic. Gravel roads for the remaining portion of the trip. Easy to navigate. Dusty conditions during the dry periods. The road to the lookout has…
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Total Miles
37.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time

West Shady Pass to Big Hill

Big Hill is one of the best campsites in Washington. 360 degree views cover both the Chelan Mountains and Lake Chelan with some of the most incredible sunrises and sunsets you'll ever experience. The cabin…
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Total Miles
9.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su

Sunday Stroll

Easy drive through this trail. Seasonal trail only as the trail head is blocked with snow from the approach road being plowed. Easy dirt/gravel road without any major obstructions. You will find a few view…
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Total Miles
10.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su

Daisy

Family oriented route, paved and gravel county roads. Road travels over two passes, through small farm country. Expect dusty conditions, except following storms. Some areas can be muddy then. Be alert for two-way traffic, along…
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Total Miles
40.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time

Top of the World

Easy trail with loose rock and ruts as well as dirt and gravel throughout. Gentle grade most of the trail until a slight incline to the top. A few camping spots along the trail. The…
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Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Top of the World

This trail leads to an amazing 360 degree view campsite with a fire pit. Easy dirt trail leading to a small hill climb up to the viewpoint. This trail may have some loose rocks and…
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Total Miles
0.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

View for Days

Slow meandering trail through trees and snow. This trail leads to other spur trails off this one. Very wet during spring and early summer. Standing water and snow cover some of this trail. Fairly easy…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp

Donaldson Draw

Gravel road, easy ride out to viewpoint. Road ends in a large open area where it circles around to return. 3 miles one-way, from the parking at the intersection with the South Huckleberry trails staging.
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Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time

Vulcan Mtn

This is an easy, family oriented ride. Paved and gravel roads. Road climbs up into the Vulcan Mtn region, with mostly forested roads. Expect to encounter dusty conditions in the summer and fall, or muddy…
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Total Miles
27.9
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time

Stensgar Mountain

This is an excursion type ride, involving all road types from paved county roads, to the primitive sections of road leading to Stensgar Mountain. From the three communities, you will be on paved county roads,…
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Total Miles
55.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time

NF7322-200

This is a four-mile, tight, rocky, and unmaintained Forest Service Road in the Wenatchee National Forest on the flanks of the Enchantments Mountains. It connects Old Blewett Pass (a tight one-lane paved road) to the…
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Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Red Marble

This is a combination of paved and gravel county roads. Easily navigated by novice riders. The route takes you to the top of the Red Marble Magnesite Quarry area. It is a short hike to…
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Total Miles
36.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time