Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Rancho Santa Margarita, California
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… Learn more about 3S04 Main Divide to Santiago Peak
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… Learn more about North Main Divide Road
Total Miles
11.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Maple Spring Road
Total Miles
11.6
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Su / Fa / Sp
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… Learn more about 2N40 Cloudland Truck Trail
Total Miles
6.4
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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. Learn more about Sheep Canyon
Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
1
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Upper Lytle Creek Divide
Total Miles
7.3
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
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… Learn more about Sharpless Ranch
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Slade Canyon
Total Miles
2.6
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
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… Learn more about Gobblers Knob Spur A
Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
3
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… Learn more about Cleghorn Ridge
Total Miles
14
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
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
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
Pilot Rock Road
Total Miles
8.4
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… Learn more about Pilot Rock OHV
Total Miles
5.8
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi
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… Learn more about Desert Front Trail
Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
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
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
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… Learn more about 4N11
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… Learn more about 3N26
Total Miles
0.9
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
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.… Learn more about Mescal Canyon Road
Total Miles
2.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
Willow Creek Road
Total Miles
6.2
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Sp / Su / Fa
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… Learn more about Big John Flat
Total Miles
3.9
Tech Rating
3
Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su
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
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
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
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… Learn more about The "Shooting Range" Quarry
Total Miles
1.6
Tech Rating
2
Easy
Best Time
Wi / Fa / Sp
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
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