Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Johannesburg, California
R44
Located in the Mojave desert in California, this trail runs alongside the Rand Mountain Range and is suitable for all off-road vehicles. This trail contains nice elevation gains with a fun trail that rolls and… Learn more about R44
Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Rocky Little Wilderness Border Loop
A nice easy loop to the wilderness border features a few large open camping spots suitable for very big rigs right off the highway. The loop features tight twists and turns with narrow sections and… Learn more about Rocky Little Wilderness Border Loop
Total Miles
1.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Iron Canyon EP21
Uneven and rutted dirt trail with loose rocks and sandy washes. Use caution, some washes are narrow. Potential for mud holes and water crossings less than a foot deep. There are trail obstacles of up… Learn more about Iron Canyon EP21
Total Miles
14.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Old Railroad Grade to New Tracks
The trail starts at the north end with hard pack dirt road passing through an open meadow before coming to a massive open, dispersed camping area with many fire rings. It then continues south until… Learn more about Old Railroad Grade to New Tracks
Total Miles
4.8
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
R20
A wide trail that swerves with deep turns throughout the foothills of the Rand Mountain range, fast, fun, and nice views that connects to many other trails in the area. This trail is one of… Learn more about R20
Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Old Searles Station Road
This appears to be the main cut across the road for dispersed camping. There are plenty of fire rings and flat spots to pick from. The road is mostly graded, and some washboard with plenty… Learn more about Old Searles Station Road
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Kiss The Boundary
This trail is a fun blast through the hills with bermed corners, some washes, and occasional deep whoops. This trail just kisses the boundary between the Spangler OHV Area and BLM land. The trail is… Learn more about Kiss The Boundary
Total Miles
3.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Lower Murano Road
It's a generally sandy two-track trail with plenty of bermed corners and some deeper washouts. The trail progresses and crosses through some impressive large rocks. Watch for desert tortoises and military planes buzzing the deck… Learn more about Lower Murano Road
Total Miles
3.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Murano Trail Part 1
This is the Western section of the Murano trail as it enters the Spangler Hills OHV area and leads in from BLM land that borders the town of Ridgecrest. It continues past this part 1… Learn more about Murano Trail Part 1
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Boundary Circle 1
One of the more established boundary trails in the area. A generally easy connector trail to attach with other trails in the area. The trail has some whoops and bermed corners and crosses some sandy… Learn more about Boundary Circle 1
Total Miles
1.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Easy Way to Camp From Trona Road
This trail starts out easy for larger rigs to access dispersed camping areas. It should be very doable for trailers and Motorhomes. Be sure to stop at the last large open space on the NE… Learn more about Easy Way to Camp From Trona Road
Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Valley Crossover
A solid hardpacked trail across the middle of the valley. Many of the trails are whooped out and very sandy in the area. This trail leads to Pinnacle road and has a few steep hills,… Learn more about Valley Crossover
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Fun Boundary Rip
A fun run one to the boundary of the OHV area. The trail has lots of bermed corners and many sandy sections. There is a great camping area with a nice view and a high… Learn more about Fun Boundary Rip
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Su / Sp
Rosebud Rocks to Wagon Wheel OHV
This trail begins or ends outside the town of Ridgecrest at a large, seemingly out-of-place rock formation painted in roses. Use caution when approaching as there are many nails in the dirt and broken glass… Learn more about Rosebud Rocks to Wagon Wheel OHV
Total Miles
4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Back Way to Schmidt Tunnel
The trail is single-car wide with short climbs and descents. This is a short trail with great views from multiple locations of the trail. This is the backway to the William Henry Schmidt Tunnel. It's… Learn more about Back Way to Schmidt Tunnel
Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Milford Road Cutover
A mostly easy trail that cuts across the BLM land from Trona Road over to Highway. This easy trail, with mostly sand and washouts, leads to lots of dispersed camping and connects Trona Road to… Learn more about Milford Road Cutover
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Pinnacles to Spangler Hills OHV Area
A sandy and bumpy dirt road with frequent washouts and whoops. This is a direct dirt route connecting the Trona Pinnacles area to the edge of the Spangler Hills OHV Riding Area. There are more… Learn more about Pinnacles to Spangler Hills OHV Area
Total Miles
5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Abandoned Old Dutch Cleanser Mine Trail
The Dutch Cleanser Mine in Red Rock Canyon State Park is the perfect place to end your adventure or have lunch when exploring the area. The Mine is massive as you can walk in and… Learn more about Abandoned Old Dutch Cleanser Mine Trail
Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Iron Canyon Scenic Trail
The Iron Canyon Scenic Trail is an easy-going dirt trail that winds its way around the Red Cliffs of Red Rock Canyon State Park. It's very easy-going as there are no major obstacles to worry… Learn more about Iron Canyon Scenic Trail
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
McIver's Cabin Trail Head
30 miles North of Mojave, CA on the 14 Fwy, is the Dove Springs open riding area. This area is well maintained and well marked with trail signs. The main trail leading into Dove Springs… Learn more about McIver's Cabin Trail Head
Total Miles
18.7
Tech Rating
3
Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Straight Shot to the White Fluffy Stuff
This is a mostly straight trail with some sandy sections and deep washouts. The trail ends at the military border in the lakebed. The lakebed may be impassable when wet. There seems to be some… Learn more about Straight Shot to the White Fluffy Stuff
Total Miles
7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Trona Pinnacles Scenic Loop East (Easy)
An easy scenic loop around and through the Trona Pinnacles National Landmark that is accessible by passenger car with careful tire placement (easy trail, just be careful of your sidewalls on sharp rocks). This trail… Learn more about Trona Pinnacles Scenic Loop East (Easy)
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
The Easy Route to Trona Pinnacles
The main (occasionally) graded route to get to Trona Pinnacles. This hard-packed washboard road takes you across the desert and across the shortest operating railroad in America. Be sure to stop and check for trains… Learn more about The Easy Route to Trona Pinnacles
Total Miles
4.4
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Another Way Around
A quick pop around the side of pinnacles out to the network of trails beyond. The trail is somewhat sandy with a few small steep hills, washouts, and very sharp rocks. One should take care… Learn more about Another Way Around
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
Jawbone OHV Area
Total Miles
25.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Jawbone to Lake Isabella
Total Miles
45.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
Whitmore Gold Mines
This is a quick and easy trail that showcases some of the mining history of the western Mojave Desert. It is mostly hard-packed, and there are plenty of areas to park and walk to the… Learn more about Whitmore Gold Mines
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Rainbow Basin Loop
This trail begins off a nice paved highway and can be somewhat easy to miss at first glance. There is an established campground a couple of miles off this trail with pit toilets, pergolas for… Learn more about Rainbow Basin Loop
Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
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
Butte Valley
Street-legal vehicles and a Death Valley National Park pass are required for this route. Begin on a wide road across open desert land and then pass through Warm Springs Canyon. You'll pass by talc mines… Learn more about Butte Valley