Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Encinitas, California
Orosco Ridge Truck Trail 12S02
This trail winds its way through the Cleveland Forest from Pamo Road to the Guejito Truck Trail. The trail is not very well maintained. It is very rutted. The trail takes you up and over… Learn more about Orosco Ridge Truck Trail 12S02
Total Miles
5.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
Nate Harrison Grade
Nate Harrison Grade is a dirt backroad into Palomar Mountain State Park. This trail leads from the scenery of typical Southern California scrubland up to lush forests and mountain views. Throughout the route, you'll encounter… Learn more about Nate Harrison Grade
Total Miles
7.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Santa Ysabel Truck Trail
Santa Ysabel Truck Trail is a narrow, shelf-road trail running through a section of the Cleveland National Forest in Ramona. The trail follows along Santa Ysabel Creek and offers beautiful views over the mountains, and… Learn more about Santa Ysabel Truck Trail
Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Su
8S05 - North Palomar Mountain Road
8S05 is a well-maintained service road, but you can expect large rocks, ruts, and very steep drop-offs throughout. The weather could have a significant impact on the road. Muddy conditions are likely; one should ensure… Learn more about 8S05 - North Palomar Mountain Road
Total Miles
10.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp
Palomar Divide (9S07)
The Palomar Divide is an easy drive with beautiful views. It is a single lane with pull-offs throughout. The majority of the trail is dirt however has some old paved sections in the lower elevation… Learn more about Palomar Divide (9S07)
Total Miles
10.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Otay Mtns Truck Trail
This route goes up and over Otay Mtn with sweeping views over the San Ysidro Mountains and a little bit of San Diego in the distance. The road is made up entirely of dirt and… Learn more about Otay Mtns Truck Trail
Total Miles
13.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp / Su
North Main Divide Road
Tucked amidst the hustle and bustle of Southern California's heavily-populated coast is a slice of heaven called the Cleveland National Forest. This mountainous region is undeveloped save for a few great trails connecting world-class views… Learn more about North Main Divide Road
Total Miles
11.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
3S04 Main Divide to Santiago Peak
The Main Divide is composed of 3 sections, all of which are very easy going trails that can be done with any high clearance 4x4 and can also be done in any low clearance AWD… Learn more about 3S04 Main Divide to Santiago Peak
Total Miles
4.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Oriflamme Canyon Loop
This trail starts and ends in Banner and loops around Chariot Mountain and goes into the Oriflamme Canyon. The trail is open to all types of 4x4s and dirt bikes, although the entrance through Banner… Learn more about Oriflamme Canyon Loop
Total Miles
14
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Maple Spring Road
A fun trail for vehicles with some ground clearance to view scenic views of the Cleveland National Forest. At the end of the trail is an elevated patch of asphalt that appears to be a… Learn more about Maple Spring Road
Total Miles
11.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Su / Fa / Sp
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
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
Coyote Canyon
This is an out and back route that ends at a nice hike and small campground. Along the way, you'll encounter a small water crossing or two, depending on the time of year and rain.… Learn more about Coyote Canyon
Total Miles
8.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / 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
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
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
McCain Valley Road
Total Miles
13
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Olla Wash
This is an out and back trail that splits of from Fish Creek wash in the Sandstone Canyon area of Anza Borrego State Park. Just before the end of the trail, there is a small… Learn more about Olla Wash
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Fonts Point
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
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
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
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
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
Pilot Rock Road
Total Miles
8.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
Ocotillo to Train Bridge
Leaving Highway 78 the wash is large and wide enough for a few cars as you get further into the trail the wash tightens up and becomes wide enough for 1 car. The wash turns… Learn more about Ocotillo to Train Bridge
Total Miles
14.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Willow Creek Road
Total Miles
6.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
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
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
Laguna Hanson Route
This is the general route through the Sierra Juarez mountains in Baja, California that accesses Laguna Hanson and the Parque Nacional Constitucion de 1857. This is a relatively easy dirt road but can get muddy… Learn more about Laguna Hanson Route