Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Benton, California

Chiatovitch Creek to Middle Creek

The lower trail is an easy grader with plenty of washboard and scattered rocks. It begins cutting through the neighborhood and while climbing offers amazing views of the valley below. Once you pass all the…
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Total Miles
11.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Dobie Canyon Run

This is comprised of primarily fire roads with plenty of 2 trackside trails and even single-track if you are on two wheels. Fast-paced, easy-riding with GREAT views and a cool old "ghost" ranch house. Elevation…
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Total Miles
35
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

The Easy Way Around Rock Creek

A nice easy graded single-track that gives access to the Inyo National Forest trail network. There are some dispersed camping spots along the way with established fire rings. It will get you around to the…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp

Red Rock Quicksilver Mine

This easy trail takes you all the way to the mining complex to the east and the historic mining complex. There are many structures still standing and plenty of kiosks and information about the area.…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp

3S151 Crowley Lake Trail

A scenic trail that winds it way from the North of Crowley Lake down towards the South-East section of the lake. This trail has side spurs to approach and park on the beaches of Crowley…
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Total Miles
6.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

3S151 Side Spur Trail To Beach

A quick drive off the main trail to reach the beach and park on the shoreline. From there you can enjoy the beach and hike to see the beautiful Crowley Columns scattered throughout Crowley Lake…
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Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Hot Creek Geological Site

From Big Springs Campground, this is a fast and run route to an amazing natural hot creek! Complete with sizzling hot springs (careful, too hot to touch) that are a beautiful aqua color. Two-track roads…
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Total Miles
20
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su

Teeth Rattler to The Crossing

A very easy two-lane dirt road that is occasionally graded takes you back to "the crossing", which gives access to many other areas' trails. There are a few offshoots leading to some dispersed camping along…
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Total Miles
6.7
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp

Fish Lake Springs Rd.

This road gets vehicles from Fish Lake Hot Springs to the saloon in Dyer with minimal highway travel. The road is well traveled, graded and wide. Hot springs have open camping around the area with…
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Total Miles
16.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Cabin run via McAfee Road

This trail is based primarily on an old mine road. It ends at some old bunk houses and there are options to drive or hike to see the rest of the mine buildings. You can…
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Total Miles
23.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Silver Canyon Road

Silver Canyon Road is a seasonal, one-lane road connecting Bishop, CA to the high alpine White Mountain Road and up to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. It is best run east to west in late…
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Total Miles
10.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Mammoth Lakes Overlook

This is an incredibly scenic trail that takes you high above the town of Mammoth Lakes. The trail starts near the New Shady Rest campground and soon climbs in elevation. The trail starts off as…
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Total Miles
9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp

Coyote Rd.

The route starts at Fish Lake hot springs. The water temp is 100 degrees, and the springs is a concrete tub that can fit 12 people comfortably. There are also vault toilets and camping available.…
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Total Miles
28.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Emigrant Trail to "The Crossing"

A pretty drive to get you from the highway back to a network of fun trails and some dispersed camping spots. The drive takes you all the way through rocky canyons and alongside marshy tall…
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Total Miles
10.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp

Obsidian Dome

The Obsidian dome is one of the many places where one can experience the immensity and the history of the volcanic activity in the Mammoth Lakes area. The road starts out paved but quickly turns…
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Total Miles
4.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Emigrant Pass from "The Crossing" to Silver Peak Road

Mostly an easy trail with amazing views from the top of the Emigrant pass summit. It can be sandy in spots, especially at wash crossings. You may see Bighorn Sheep and Burros in the area…
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Total Miles
14.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Wi

Obsidian Dome to Grant Lake

The trail is a good day ride with great views and nice lookout points overlooking June Lake and Grant Lake. Most of the trail up to the Junction is trails through pine forest, 2nd half…
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Total Miles
16.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Deadman Pass

Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Bodie High Desert Highway

This route takes you from the high desert of Nevada to the chaparral of the Sierra Front Range. The Nevada side is dominated by wide, generally well-graded dirt roads, while the California side takes you…
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Total Miles
61.3
Tech Rating
2 Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bodie Ghost Town

This is an alternative, fun, backroad route to Bodie State Historic Park that starts north of Bridgeport. History buffs will enjoy remains of the Chemung Mine and the site of Masonic, as well as great…
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Total Miles
22.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

The Road to the Simon Lead Mine

The road to the Simon Lead mine is traveled via a well-maintained dirt road until the last 4 miles. The road then contains washed-out areas and narrow passages. According to https://www.nvexpeditions.com, small amounts of silver-lead…
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Total Miles
22.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Copper Mountain

Climb along the side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains above Mono Lake on this beautiful SUV route. Check out views of the valley as well as Lundy Lake, and make time to visit an abandoned…
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Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

265 Camping Crossover

A sandy short dirt crossover with plenty of flat spots for dispersed camping featuring mountain and valley views. The road gets rutted in some spots and quite sandy in others. Do not attempt when wet.…
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Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Wi

Saline Valley Road

Death Valley is famous for its barren valleys and soaring vistas, but few people wander into its more remote regions like Saline Valley. The road into this area is dirt, and often heavily corrugated and…
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Total Miles
74.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi

Masonic Mine

Ground clearance isn't much of a concern, but there are a lot of sharp rocks, so passenger car tires will not do. This is a good side trip to other trails in the area. Vehicles…
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Total Miles
8.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Desert Creek Loop

Short loop following Desert Creek between Smith Valley, NV and Bridgeport, CA. Several campgrounds are located along the creek, and there's good fishing and hiking nearby. The road is mostly one vehicle wide along the…
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Total Miles
16.1
Tech Rating
3 Moderate
Best Time
Su / Fa

Holy Climber

This is a busy trail, with beautiful fall colors and great vistas. There are sections of loose, rocky terrain and sections with softer dirt that may be whooped out. Most are shallow and smooth, so…
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Total Miles
28.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Chepo Saddle 6S13

This is a Sierra foothill road near Bass Lake, which is not visible on this trek. It is a clear dirt road with very little pinstriping. Some rutting but very manageable. There are several ways…
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Total Miles
11.5
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Wellington Hills Road - 42778

This out and back, double-track, dirt trail mostly accommodates one-way traffic. It begins at Eastside Lane and gradually rises in elevation into the Wellington Hills, located in Toiyabe National Forest. There are vistas of Antelope…
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Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Movie Road, Alabama Hills

Total Miles
20
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su