Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Huntington Beach, California

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…
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Total Miles
11.6
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Su / Fa / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
4.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
11.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

4N11

The trail starts as a well-maintained road (Big Rock Creek) from the west, or Angeles Crest if starting from the east. It is a short trail, but is very scenic and has creek crossings during…
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Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

3N26

Trail head starts on Angeles Crest Highway at the Vincent Gap Turnout. It is a very short trail that leads to a locked gate at Jackson Flat Camping Area. The scenery during this trail consists…
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Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
2.6
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…
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Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Mescal Canyon Road

This trail can be approached from South to North or North to South. North to South will be more challenging because it is going up hill. Mainly dirt and small rocks make up the trail.…
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Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su

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…
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Total Miles
7.3
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su

Big John Flat

The trail starts as a well maintained dirt road. About a 3 miles into the trail, the dirt is softer and the trail thins to one vehicle wide. There are two hill climbs that will…
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Total Miles
3.9
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.
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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…
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Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
14
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su

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…
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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

Sierra Pelona Ridge/Rowher OHV

Total Miles
13.7
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…
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Total Miles
5.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Leona Divide

This is a relatively easy scenic drive down Forest Route 6N04, also known as Leona Divide. It can be run in both directions, beginning at either the trailhead on Bouquet Canyon Road or San Francisquito…
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Total Miles
9.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
10.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

City Highline Road

This non-technical dirt road follows the power lines along the hills of San Francisquito Canyon. There are some neat views of the California aqueduct, and tons of little side roads. Most of the side roads…
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Total Miles
9.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

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.…
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Total Miles
21.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

San Francisquito Motorway

This is a relatively easy dirt road just outside Santa Clarita. It is usually low-traffic, and the main road doesn't even require 4x4. There are however several side trails (mostly short) that are steep, rutted,…
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Total Miles
5.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Willow Creek Road

Total Miles
6.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa

Tule Divide

The Tule Divide is an easy, pretty drive through the Sierra Pelona Range. The trail mostly follows Burns Canyon Road and other forest routes, which can be linked to other local trails for more off-road…
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Total Miles
13.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Grass Mountain Summit

This is a short, but scenic ride to the summit of Grass Mountain, which provides a great view of the Green Valley area, as well as views of the Leona Valley, Antelope Valley, and high…
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Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Lake Hughes/Grass Mountain Connector Trail

This short trail connects the Lake Hughes Truck Trail with Grass Mountain, FS 6N04. It is a mostly uneventful and short trail that, unlike others in the area, has quite a bit of shade thanks…
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Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Wi / Fa

Lake Hughes Truck Trail

This easy route begins just east of Lake Hughes in remote northern Los Angeles County, California, and connects the area to the Tule Divide trail. The drive is a mostly uneventful climb with pretty views…
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Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa / Wi / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
11.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

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…
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Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp