Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Palm Springs, California
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
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
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
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
Eureka Peak
This trail takes you to Eureka Peak, which is a mountain top viewpoint allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the area from a high elevation. There are hiking trails throughout this area and… Learn more about Eureka Peak
Total Miles
8.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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
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
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
Geology Tour Road
Geology Tour Road leads through Pleasant Valley in Joshua Tree National Park. It's a dirt and sand road meant to discover different geological features with points of interest along the way. There are hiking trails… Learn more about Geology Tour Road
Total Miles
7.3
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
Smarts Ranch 3N03
This is a less often traveled trail close to Burns Canyon and 18. Although there are not any vistas, there are a few points to stop and enjoy the solitude. The section closest to Burns… Learn more about Smarts Ranch 3N03
Total Miles
7.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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
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
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
Fonts Point
Total Miles
4.1
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Fa / Wi / Sp
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
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
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
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
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
Coxey Road
Nice, easy going, wide sandy trail connecting other great OHV roads. The trail runs from Grapevine Canyon Road to Bowen Ranch Road. Look for the sign for 3N14 off Grapevine Canyon Road to start the… Learn more about Coxey Road
Total Miles
6.9
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
Willow Creek Road
Total Miles
6.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
Psycho Ranch Turnout
This trail tears off from the main route of Coxey into the hills. There are a few singletrack turnoffs for those looking for some adventure. There were no natural camping spots noticed on this route.… Learn more about Psycho Ranch Turnout
Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
SR2013 Red Canyon Jeep Trail
Right off the 10 Freeway just South of Joshua Tree National Park is the Red Canyon Jeep Trail. A 13-mile trail that winds its way through the mountains into the Bradshaw Trail. The trail is… Learn more about SR2013 Red Canyon Jeep Trail
Total Miles
12.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Bradshaw's Trail
Bradshaw's Trail is roughly a 70-mile-long trail stretching from Blythe, CA, to the eastern side of the Salton Sea. The trail runs east to west although it can be traveled from either end, and goes… Learn more about Bradshaw's Trail
Total Miles
66.9
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi
Bowen Ranch
This wide washboard trail heads up into the hills passing private property and open BLM land. It ends at the Bowens Ranch and hot springs (more info below). There are a few dispersed camping spots… Learn more about Bowen Ranch
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
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
Juniper Flats Southern Access
This generally easy trail leads from the Bowens Ranch gate past the hot springs trailhead parking area and into the vast area of Juniper Flats. This large flat area up in the mountains is full… Learn more about Juniper Flats Southern Access
Total Miles
3.5
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
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
Ride to the Fish Pond
This trail is very easy, on this ride you'll see great views of the Orb Mountains and enjoy a great ride through easy terrain. At the final destination, you will find an old water trough… Learn more about Ride to the Fish Pond