Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Nevada City, California
Shirttail Canyon
Total Miles
23.5
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su
Volcanoville
Volcanoville is a good beginner trail that can be completed by most stock 4x4 SUVs, as well as many AWD vehicles with AT tires and at least 8 inches of clearance. The trail does get… Learn more about Volcanoville
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su
Mitchell Mine
Mitchell Mine is a nice, easy in-and-out summer trail for a leisurely stroll through the forest. It's also a good trail for beginners to get used to how their vehicle feels while off-road. The surface… Learn more about Mitchell Mine
Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Boman Lake
The first part of the trail is paved. About 2/3rds of the way in, it becomes rocky and dirty. High clearance is recommended. There is one tricky hairpin about 1 mile from camp. Other than… Learn more about Boman Lake
Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
Deer Lake, Gold Valley
Total Miles
37.9
Tech Rating
2
Moderate
Best Time
Su
Bonta Creek - NF23N33
Graded Forest Service road above the CA-70 highway in Graeagle, California that accesses Bonta Ridge, Penman Saddle, and other points to the North in the Plumas National Forest. There is a great brewery - the… Learn more about Bonta Creek - NF23N33
Total Miles
7.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Bonta Ridge - NF23N05Y
Bonta Ridge is an occasionally maintained gravel Forest Service road that climbs from Bonta Creek Road above the CA-70 highway up to Penman Saddle and points beyond in this section of the Plumas National Forest.… Learn more about Bonta Ridge - NF23N05Y
Total Miles
4.7
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Happy Valley Ridgeline
Mix of fire roads and old logging roads. The area has been scorched by fire recently. There are a lot of downed trees that cross the trail, be prepared with a chain saw or chain/rope.… Learn more about Happy Valley Ridgeline
Total Miles
33.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Sugarpine - NF22N55
Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This looks to be the primary route accessing the summit from town. The road is wider and looks… Learn more about Sugarpine - NF22N55
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Sugarpine Spur A - NF22N55A
Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This spur accesses the communications tower equipment on private property at the summit of Beckwourth Peak. There is… Learn more about Sugarpine Spur A - NF22N55A
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Beckwourth - NF23N03
Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. This is one of the primary routes into this section of the forest from town. These roads are… Learn more about Beckwourth - NF23N03
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Bear Valley Loop Trail
Bear Valley Loop Trail is a beginner trail located off Hwy 89 starting right at "Little Truckee Summit". The loop takes off and ends at the Bear Valley Campground. Head in on Cottonwood Road off… Learn more about Bear Valley Loop Trail
Total Miles
19.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Beckwourth Tie Spur - NF23N03YB
Dirt Forest Service road accessing a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside of Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start… Learn more about Beckwourth Tie Spur - NF23N03YB
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Beckwourth Tie - NF23N03Y
Dirt Forest Service Road accesses a network of roads climbing Beckwourth Mountain just outside Portola, California. These roads are seldom maintained and are occasionally clogged with manzanita overgrowth. Pinstriping is likely. These roads start at… Learn more about Beckwourth Tie - NF23N03Y
Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Boca Hill
Boca Hill Trail is a 2.5 mile trail. The trail passes the peak of Boca Hill, a great place to stop and get some pictures from above I-80 with many peaks in the background. The… Learn more about Boca Hill
Total Miles
2.3
Tech Rating
3
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
Wrights Lake Rd - 11N26A
This is a smooth, out-and-back dirt trail that's single lane. The trail has very little change in elevation and can be driven with a 2WD SUV. A wide turn-around circle is located at one mile… Learn more about Wrights Lake Rd - 11N26A
Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Crystal Peak Mine Loop
This loop trail offers wide panoramas of endless mountain forests and picturesque views of multiple reservoirs all along an easily traversed dirt road. An exciting surprise awaits at the midway point of the trail--the Crystal… Learn more about Crystal Peak Mine Loop
Total Miles
26.3
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Peavine Prospector Run
Spectacular views of Reno abound from high above on this trail that traverses historic Peavine Mountain. In stark contrast to the urban hustle and bustle of Reno, Peavine showcases the desolate beauty of the harsh… Learn more about Peavine Prospector Run
Total Miles
11.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Logan House Loop 14n33
This trail has beautiful scenery that includes tree-filtered views of Lake Tahoe, Aspen groves, grassy meadows, a couple of small year-round streams, and the classic Sierra Nevada Mountain Forest. It is recommended for 4WD or… Learn more about Logan House Loop 14n33
Total Miles
8.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Fruit Smuggler
Dirt trail with potential for loose rocks, sandy washes, and water crossings less than a foot deep. Potential for mud holes and trail obstacles up to 12" including ledges and short, steep grades. One vehicle… Learn more about Fruit Smuggler
Total Miles
3.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
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
Genoa Peak Road - 41306
You'll get some great views of Lake Tahoe from this trail. It's a wide, single-lane gravel trail that's moderately to heavily used during the summer. There are gates at both ends of the road which… Learn more about Genoa Peak Road - 41306
Total Miles
10.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Airola Meadow Loop
Nice views along a graded in the begging logging road. The road becomes ungraded but really good all the way back. Some brush, nothing to pinstripe your rig. Early season, may want to bring a… Learn more about Airola Meadow Loop
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Buck Ranch
Easy graded logging road in the beginning 1st mile, then it becomes decent rocky terrain, some small climbs, nothing hard. Once you take off from the green route on OnX, this is a really easy… Learn more about Buck Ranch
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Berdoo Canyon Road
This is a fantastic trail that can be run in either direction. The trail is relatively easy, but there are a few obstacles that can give you trouble if you don't have enough clearance and… Learn more about Berdoo Canyon Road
Total Miles
23
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Bailey Ridge
A 5-mile stretch of connecting forest service roads. It is a particularly useful trail if you are driving a non street legal vehicle and camping at Black Springs or off of 7N23. The trail features… Learn more about Bailey Ridge
Total Miles
4.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Burnside Lake Road - 31019
The 5.5-mile out and back dirt road will take you from HWY 88/89 intersection to Burnside Lake. The dirt road is relatively smooth and wide enough for two vehicles to pass. This is a well-traveled… Learn more about Burnside Lake Road - 31019
Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Hawkins Peak Road
Hawkins Peak Road begins as a gradual accent and is typically one vehicle wide with places to pass on this double track dirt trail. The trail gradually ascends from an elevation of 7,057 feet to… Learn more about Hawkins Peak Road
Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa
Pistol Point Trail
Pistol Point Trail is one vehicle wide with places to pass on this double track dirt trail. The trail ascends from an elevation of 8,820 feet to a maximum elevation of 9,286 feet. There is… Learn more about Pistol Point Trail