Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Lake City, California
Wander Mountains
This area is part of Modoc National Forest. There are several obsidian collection areas that require a permit that can be obtained at the Alturas Forest Service building. Once you get into the range, the… Learn more about Wander Mountains
Total Miles
24.5
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Sunstone Collection Area
This route will take you from HWY 395 to the Sunstone Collection Site and camping area. Along the route, you will have nice views of the high-desert landscapes and Hart Mountain. The camping area has… Learn more about Sunstone Collection Area
Total Miles
32.8
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Little High Rock Canyon
Little High Rock Canyon is a mix of washboard and two-track trail that travels diagonally across to High Rock Canyon and Soldier's Meadow. This trail is a better choice for those wanting a more exciting… Learn more about Little High Rock Canyon
Total Miles
32.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge
The main roads at the Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge are quite wide, but very badly corrugated. Travel off of the main roads is very rugged. This area gets very hot and dry in summer, and… Learn more about Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge
Total Miles
53
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Summit Lake Reservation Route
This trail is only suitable during dry weather. This is a connector route connecting Black Rock Playa to Oregon's Alvord Playa and Steens Mountain through the Summit Lake Indian Reservation. This route is generally graded… Learn more about Summit Lake Reservation Route
Total Miles
97.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Fa
Black Rock Playa
This route explores the Black Rock Playa, and then exits to the north and connects to the High Rock Canyon route to the west, or the Summit Lake Reservation route that continues north into Oregon.… Learn more about Black Rock Playa
Total Miles
55.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa
Flook Lake
This trail accesses the Flook Lake playa, which is a dried up lake bed. This trail is very dusty in summer and extreme caution should be taken in spring or fall especially if there has… Learn more about Flook Lake
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Kamma Mountains
This route takes you from the Black Rock Desert playa through the Kamma Mountain Range and the Rye Patch Reservoir. Along this route, you will find hot springs, rock-hounding spots, and old placer mines. The… Learn more about Kamma Mountains
Total Miles
68.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Taylor Lake/Lucky S Mine/Kettle Rock Lookout Loop
The trail has smooth flowing sections, loose, rocky climbs, and hardpacked rocky roads with seasonal low water crossings. The road up to the lookout is steep with loose rock. Leading up to and past Taylor… Learn more about Taylor Lake/Lucky S Mine/Kettle Rock Lookout Loop
Total Miles
18.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Winnemucca Lake East Shore Caves
The route starts out on the north end of the dry lake bad. The road runs alongside a high-voltage power line so it is well-maintained. However, it is built on the sandy ancient shoreline that… Learn more about Winnemucca Lake East Shore Caves
Total Miles
12.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Su
Steens Loop
This road is in decent shape, but gets very corrugated and deteriorates through the year. There are few obstacles, but speed can make many of the corners dangerous, and you'll also find many steep grades.… Learn more about Steens Loop
Total Miles
50.1
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su
Lauserica Road
This long out-and-back trail passes through the Historic Roaring Springs ranch property. There is an old cabin on site, but please be respectful that it is private property with access through, so admire it from… Learn more about Lauserica Road
Total Miles
11.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su / Sp
Island Reservoir Cutover
This relatively easy connector trail takes the adventurer from the graded gravel main route back toward the Island Reservoir Trail. There will be plenty of dispersed camping spots near the southern end with fire rings… Learn more about Island Reservoir Cutover
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Willow Lake Road 29N14
Willow Lake Road takes you to Willow Lake Campground where there are opportunities for fishing, hiking, hot springs, geysers and wildlife viewing. The road in is doable in any high clearance vehicle. When approaching the… Learn more about Willow Lake Road 29N14
Total Miles
4.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Mustang Tank Trail
This bumpy out and back leads through lush sagebrush fields and past lovely established Juniper Trees. There are plenty of flat spots one could camp, but no established fire rings were noticed. As the trail… Learn more about Mustang Tank Trail
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Steens Mustang Bounce
This bouncy rocky run features a few dispersed campsites. One nice one near the beginning and one grassy lesser used one near the trail's end with a fire ring. The offshoot trail also has a… Learn more about Steens Mustang Bounce
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Three Springs Offshoot
This bumpy little out-and-back ends at a nice camping spot nestled in a juniper grove with a hiking trailhead and plenty of cut juniper to collect along the way for your campfire. There are a… Learn more about Three Springs Offshoot
Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su
Riddle Brothers Ranch
This easy out and back is a must-see while it's open from mid-June to the October season. Be sure to check with the Berns BLM office to be sure it's open before you go. It… Learn more about Riddle Brothers Ranch
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
East Fish Creek Road
This route is a bumpy out-and-back that ends abruptly. It begins in rolling hills with fields of sagebrush. There are three cattle gates you need to open and close behind once you pass through; some… Learn more about East Fish Creek Road
Total Miles
4.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Su
Newton Cabin Trail
This rugged trail accesses Indian Creek at the base of Steens Mountain. There is excellent high-desert camping in the area and very nice, cool creek access through the summer. The trail is rugged and hot… Learn more about Newton Cabin Trail
Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Otro Playa Vista
This rocky trail is a good one to link up with Playa Vista for a slightly different angle of the playa (dry lakebed) below. There are a few dispersed camping options but be sure to… Learn more about Otro Playa Vista