Dirt Bike Trails Near Nevada City, California

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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…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Bottle Hill

Bottle Hill is a good trail to learn how your vehicle feels on dirt, rock, and mud; or to check the off-road capability of your vehicle after making modifications or repairs. It is also a…
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Total Miles
10.1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Poker Flat

A challenging drive that passes through two historic gold mining towns: Poker Flat and Howland Flat. The trail can be used as a shortcut between Downieville and La Porte. Trip to Saddleback Mountain Lookout Tower…
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Total Miles
26.9
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
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…
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Total Miles
2.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bowman 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…
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Total Miles
16.7
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su

Signal Peak

Signal Peak is neither "easy" nor "beginner", despite being deemed so by many locals in comparison to the Fordyce trail - which also begins from the Pierce Meadow Staging Area. It is recommended to have…
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Total Miles
3.8
Tech Rating
6 Moderate
Best Time
Su / Fa

Trail 1 Georgetown OHV

This starts on Trail 1 off of Darlington Ridge Road and continues to Trail 6 over the bridge and through Slate Mountain. From Slate Mountain, you're presented with more trail options. Lots of single tracks…
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Total Miles
14.8
Tech Rating
6 Moderate
Best Time
Fa / Sp

Deer Lake, Gold Valley

Trail begins with an easy climb to a high scenic ridge above beautiful Deer Lake. The route then descends into rugged Gold Valley and heads north past mines and lakes. To modify the trip, you…
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Total Miles
37.9
Tech Rating
2 Moderate
Best Time
Su

Tamarack Lakes 12E33

This trail starts across from Packer Lake. There is a staging area at the bottom if you need to trailer your rig. The trail heads up to Tamarack Lakes. The two lakes are almost the…
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Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Snake Lake

Short but beautiful hard-core trail. Great views looking down on Gold Lake and Snake Lake. Route open to green-sticker vehicles on posted routes only. Overnight camping in designated sites only. Watch for hikers and mountain…
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Total Miles
6.3
Tech Rating
7 Difficult
Best Time
Su

Cleghorn Bar

This is a fun drive with varying terrain. Green-sticker vehicles allowed and staging is available toward the beginning of the ride. Look for the sign that starts the 4WD riding. This routes takes you through…
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Total Miles
11.1
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Su

Hellhole 4WD

This is an in and out trail approximately 3.8 miles each way. There are some bigger rocks and shelves to climb. 33" tires with at least one axle locked is recommended. You start at the…
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Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
8 Difficult
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.…
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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.…
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Total Miles
32.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Rubicon, West Side

The Rubicon is our all-time favorite. It's a mix of gorgeous scenery and very challenging terrain. Our group camped overnight at the halfway point below Buck Island Dam. Trail is under constant scrutiny by environmental…
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Total Miles
5.1
Tech Rating
8 Difficult
Best Time
Su

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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Total Miles
19.9
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Portola "P" - NF14M03

This trail accesses the Portola "P" above town. It starts out as a mellow two-track among the trees but quickly turns upward into a steep, loose, rocky scramble. Low range is required and this trail…
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Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
4 Moderate
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Bear Lake Trail

Bear Lake is a great place to camp or fish located near lake Tahoe. The road to get to Bear Lake has many places to pull off with amazing views. You can get to Bear…
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Total Miles
5.2
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Sp / Fa

Long Lake Trail/TKS-11

Long Lake Trail also known as TKS-11 is just short of a mile-long spur trail located off the Rubicon Trail just below the cemetery. This trail starts in the trees but soon pops out on…
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Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
7 Difficult
Best Time
Su / Fa / Sp

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…
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Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

High Lakes

Camp, fish and relax in remote seclusion after a day of challenging rock crawling. Despite damage from recent fires, this is a great place to spend a weekend exploring a gorgeous high plateau with numerous…
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Total Miles
16.8
Tech Rating
6 Difficult
Best Time
Su

Barker Meadows OHV Trail

This trail is narrow. If you are going in with full-size rig or a long rig you will be doing pull-ups and backups. This trail is an alternative trail to get to the Rubicon Trail.…
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Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
6 Moderate
Best Time
Su / Fa

Rubicon, East Side

The east side of the Rubicon provides nonstop challenges and extreme fun. Water can play a bigger role where trail meanders along the volatile Rubicon River. You'll pass through Rubicon Springs Campground at no charge…
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Total Miles
11.7
Tech Rating
8 Difficult
Best Time
Su

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…
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Total Miles
3.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa

Ellis Peak Bike Trail

This trail has a few tougher sections. The views are some of the best around the lake! The trail starts where the pavement ends if you come up from Blackwood Canyon. This trail passes Ellis…
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Total Miles
3
Tech Rating
6 Moderate
Best Time
Su / Fa

Ellis Lake Trail

Ellis Lake trail is just a spur trail off Ellis Peak Trail. This trail takes you to Ellis Lake where you will find camping, hiking, and great views. It is important to note that this…
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Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa

Ellis Peak OHV Trail

This trail gets you close to the top of Ellis Peak. This is just a short trail however the views are worth the trip. Check out the Ellis Lake Trail and hike the Ellis Peak…
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Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su / Fa