Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Big Bear Lake, California
1N09 City Creek Trail
A long overland trail with plenty of recreational activities such as site-specific shooting areas, yellow post campsites and creek crossings. This is a well-maintained dirt road with some minor ruts, rocks and shallow creek crossings.… Learn more about 1N09 City Creek Trail
Total Miles
21.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Smarts Ranch 3N03
This is a less often traveled trail close to Burns Canyon and 18. Although there are not any vistas, there are a few points to stop and enjoy the solitude. The section closest to Burns… Learn more about Smarts Ranch 3N03
Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Thomas Hunting Grounds
The Thomas Hunting Grounds Trail (1N12), often also referred to as the Morton Peak Trail, is an easy dirt road that takes you from the chaparral and shrubs of Mill Creek to the oaks and… Learn more about Thomas Hunting Grounds
Total Miles
11.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Coxey Road
Nice, easy going, wide sandy trail connecting other great OHV roads. The trail runs from Grapevine Canyon Road to Bowen Ranch Road. Look for the sign for 3N14 off Grapevine Canyon Road to start the… Learn more about Coxey Road
Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Alder Creek Road - FSR 1n16
Starting in Highland, 1n16 is a fairly easy dirt road with some parts rutted out, but any 4x4 can make it through the trail easily. Many parts of the trail are single-vehicle wide, but there… Learn more about Alder Creek Road - FSR 1n16
Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Willow Creek Road
Total Miles
6.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
Psycho Ranch Turnout
This trail tears off from the main route of Coxey into the hills. There are a few singletrack turnoffs for those looking for some adventure. There were no natural camping spots noticed on this route.… Learn more about Psycho Ranch Turnout
Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Bowen Ranch
This wide washboard trail heads up into the hills passing private property and open BLM land. It ends at the Bowens Ranch and hot springs (more info below). There are a few dispersed camping spots… Learn more about Bowen Ranch
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Juniper Flats Southern Access
This generally easy trail leads from the Bowens Ranch gate past the hot springs trailhead parking area and into the vast area of Juniper Flats. This large flat area up in the mountains is full… Learn more about Juniper Flats Southern Access
Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Japatul Road
This trail heads up toward Juniper flats and splits to either Flagpole trail or continues to the flats. The valley views below are pretty great once you ascend to the ridgeline. Once you pass the… Learn more about Japatul Road
Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Wi
The "Shooting Range" Quarry
This out and back trail ends at a small turnaround loop with a great view. A short side trail heads up to the old abandoned mine, which features a few flat dispersed camping spots and… Learn more about The "Shooting Range" Quarry
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Pilot Rock OHV
Pilot Rock OHV offers spectacular views and water crossings along the hills near Silverwood Lake and Arrowhead Lake. Some of the surrounding cities include Lugo, Hesperia, and Apple Valley. It can take 1 to 4… Learn more about Pilot Rock OHV
Total Miles
5.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Ride to the Fish Pond
This trail is very easy, on this ride you'll see great views of the Orb Mountains and enjoy a great ride through easy terrain. At the final destination, you will find an old water trough… Learn more about Ride to the Fish Pond
Total Miles
8.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
Idyllwild Mountain Road
Beautiful trail overlooking the neighboring town of Banning and the surrounding mountains. The deserted mountain scape is chock-full of secluded camp spots with some wind cover and appears to occasionally be used for shooting. The… Learn more about Idyllwild Mountain Road
Total Miles
7.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Pilot Rock Road
Total Miles
8.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
2N40 Cloudland Truck Trail
A short, but beautiful trail with great views of San Bernardino and the mountains beyond. It is doable in 2WD during dry conditions, but 4WD may be required when wet. Closures can occur during winter… Learn more about 2N40 Cloudland Truck Trail
Total Miles
6.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Black Mountain
This is a well-maintain fire road that takes you up to boulder basin group campsite. On the way there, you'll see some turns-outs for rock climbing and overlanding. During the winter months, trails may be… Learn more about Black Mountain
Total Miles
10
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su
Black Mountain Road
This is an easy trail that most stock vehicles could tackle. There are some really beautiful views, and the high point is the lookout, which gives a breathtaking view of the sunset. There are 5… Learn more about Black Mountain Road
Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Cleghorn Ridge
If you are a beginner looking to push your limits, this is a great route for you. You will follow along a ridge with great views of Silverwood Lake and have the option to dip… Learn more about Cleghorn Ridge
Total Miles
14
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
San Jacinto Ridge Trail (FS 5S09)
San Jacinto Ridge is a two-way trail running East to West between the Banning-Idyllwild Panoramic Highway (SR 243) and Bee Canyon Road (FS 5S07) in the San Bernardino National Forest. Comprised of mostly hard-pack dirt,… Learn more about San Jacinto Ridge Trail (FS 5S09)
Total Miles
10.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Stoddard Mountain Road
This is the main graded trail into the OHV area. It is mostly well-graded with plenty of washboard bumps and mild transition to make life easier for those towing trailers. There is a pit toilet… Learn more about Stoddard Mountain Road
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
The Main North to South Access Wash
A sandy run from the central valley to the northern open section. The wash is wide and allows for oncoming traffic to pass. The sand is generally more on the coarse side, lending to an… Learn more about The Main North to South Access Wash
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
Eureka Peak
This trail takes you to Eureka Peak, which is a mountain top viewpoint allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the area from a high elevation. There are hiking trails throughout this area and… Learn more about Eureka Peak
Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Desert Front Trail
This trail is mainly dirt road with some sand in areas and some off camber turns with slight hills. In Spring and Summer, the trails are mainly dry and possible in 2WD. There are forks… Learn more about Desert Front Trail
Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
Sheep Canyon
This is a very easy trail leading from Swarthout Canyon Road to Lytle Creek Road. No major obstacles, but the uphill portions can be a little slick. Street legal vehicles only. Learn more about Sheep Canyon
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Upper Lytle Creek Divide
The trail consists mainly of dirt, rocks, and some roots. It is wide enough for one vehicle, but there are turnouts for passing throughout the trail. Stock height 2WD SUV and truck type vehicles are… Learn more about Upper Lytle Creek Divide
Total Miles
7.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
Sharpless Ranch
This is a simple trail that leads from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Upper Lytle Creek Divide. It is an easy trail that is just a fun little uphill or downhill trail depending on direction… Learn more about Sharpless Ranch
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Gobblers Knob Spur A
This is a beautiful trail that leads you to the highest point within the little set of trails in this area. It also connects at the top with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Be careful… Learn more about Gobblers Knob Spur A
Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
6S13 - Thomas Mountain Road
Uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks and sand. Muddy conditions should be expected during the rainy season. The trail is primarily one vehicle wide with some portions wide enough for passing oncoming traffic. Steep… Learn more about 6S13 - Thomas Mountain Road
Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Slade Canyon
This is a a fun, quick trail that leads you up into the mountains from the creek bed below. After heavy snowfall, ice could make for very dangerous conditions. If snow is present 4WD is… Learn more about Slade Canyon