Best California ATV Trails
California has 106 all terrain vehicle rides.
May 3, 2019
Located in the US, the ATV trails in California offers over one hundred ATV trail routes from which to choose. The best California ATV trails based on popularity are considered to be Glamis Dunes, Forest OHV System / Big Bear OHV, Corral Canyon OHV Area, Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, and Ocotillo Wells State Recreation Area. For a detailed trail description and printable trailhead map, just select a California ATV trails trail below.
Where Can I Ride ATVs In California?
Featured ATV TRAILS
Stoddard Valley OHV Area
Southwest of Barstow, the Stoddard Valley OHV Area has plenty of ATV trails. Stoddard Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area offers a diverse landscape for off-highway vehicle recreation. The area is characterized by steep rocky mountains, rolling hills, open valleys, and winding sandy washes.
Mammoth Bar OHV Area
Northeast of Sacramento and Auburn in the Auburn State Recreation Area, the Mammoth Bar OHV Area has 50 miles of ATV trails over 1,200 acres. It is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills about thirty miles northeast of Sacramento.
Corral Canyon OHV Area
East of San Diego and Alpine near Buckman Springs in the Cleveland National Forest, the Corral Canyon OHV Area has over 1,800 acres of ATV riding through very rugged terrain.
Forest OHV System / Big Bear OHV
Northeast of San Bernardino and Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino National Forest, the Forest OHV System (aka Big Bear OHV) consists of 36 miles of OHV trails and 169 miles of forest roads (open to green sticker/red sticker usage). The trails are primarily in the Cajon, Arrowhead and Big Bear areas.
San Gabriel Canyon OHV Area
Northeast of Los Angeles and northwest of San Dimas in the Angeles National Forest, the San Gabriel Canyon OHV Area offers up to 150 acres of diverse off-road opportunities. Water crossings, rocks, dirt roads and sand hills are some of the seasonally challenging experiences you will find. The assortment of physical terrain is unmatched anywhere in this area.
Foresthill OHV
East of Auburn and Foresthill in the Tahoe National Forest, the Forest Hill OHV and China Wall OHV Area has 100 miles of trails open to ATV riding. There are three Staging Areas to access the trail system.
Cottonwood Canyon Jeep Trail
Near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park, a jeep trail runs up Cottonwood Canyon over hardpack to loose terrain that is open to ATV riding. Overall, there are 20 miles of jeep trails for ATV users in Death Valley National Park. These ATV riding routes in Death Valley National Park require street licensed vehicles.
Lark Canyon OHV Area
Southeast of San Diego, the Lark Canyon OHV Area has several miles of ATV trails. Located in McCain Valley Resource Conservation Area, Lark Canyon OHV Area is designed specifically for motorcycles. All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) might experience difficulty using the narrow trails.
Rasor OHV Area
Northwest of Barstow, the Rasor OHV Area has plenty of ATV trails. This is an exciting and more remote area for the off-highway vehicle user. Rasor has rolling hills, open valleys, and sand dunes that invite riders willing to travel through this remote area. Elevations range from near 2,427 feet elevation down to around 1,275 feet elevation at the Mojave River.
Barrett Lake
West of South Lake Tahoe in the Eldorado National Forest, the 20 mile route to Barrett Lake is open to ATV riding. This is a very challenging route with large rock obstacles and giant boulders.
Big Bear Lake - South
Northeast of San Bernardino and south of Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino National Forest, the Big Bear Lake - Cactus Flats area has 62 miles of forest roads and trails open to ATV riding. The best trailheads are: Cactus Flats Staging northeast of Big Bear Lake, Big Pine Flats Campground northwest of Big Bear Lake and Crab Flats Campground between Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake.
Carnegie State Recreation Area
East of San Francisco and southwest of Tracy, the Carnegie State Recreation Area has 50 miles of trails over 1,500 acres open to ATV riding. Characterized by dry rocky washes, rolling hills and steep, rugged canyons, the park provides a setting for off-highway vehicle users of all skill levels.
Hollister Hills Lower Ranch
South of San Jose and southwest of Hollister, the Hollister Hills State Recreation Area in the Gabilan Mountains has two large riding areas, Lower Ranch and Upper Ranch. The Lower Ranch - This 2,400-acre area, set aside for motorcycle and ATV use only, has about 64 miles of trails and several hill climbs.
Hite Cove OHV Route
Northeast of Fresno and Merced in the Sierra National Forest, the Hite Cove OHV Route is a Class B route traverses a variety of terrain as its elevations range from 3,900 to 1,700 feet in the northwest region of the Sierra National Forest near the Jerseydale Forest Station. The route consists of mixed conifer, Black and Live Oak, scattered brush and grass, and an abundance of Poison Oak throughout the area.
Red Lake/Coyote Lake OHV Route
Northeast of Fresno and Merced in the Sierra National Forest, the Red Lake/Coyote Lake OHV Route is a 3.5 mile route is rated Class B; however, travel becomes more difficult beyond Red Lake. This route travels travel to pristine, high-country lakes that hug the Dinkey Creek Wilderness Area.
Miami Creek OHV Area
Northeast of Fresno near Oakhurst and Bass Lake, the Miami Motorized Vehicle Use Area has ATV riding in pure northern California forest with the thick smell of pine trees. The 60 miles of trail riding ranges from packed and wide single tracks to narrow dirt bike style single track.
White Pines OHV
Southeast of Sacramento and northeast of Arnold, the White Pines OHV network on the north side of Highway 4 is the main OHV riding area on the Calaveras Ranger District. With over 100 miles of connecting roads and trails, there is enjoyable riding for all levels and types of OHV users, including 4WD, ATVs and motorcycles.
Mi-Wok OHV
Southeast of Sacramento and northeast of Sonora, the popular Mi-Wok OHV area consists of 40 miles of signed trails and 140 miles of roads open to ATV riding. The Mi-Wok area extends from north of Crandall Peak to the Deer Creek area, northwest of Highway 108. The riding area ranges in elevation of 3500 feet at Deer Creek to 5500 feet at Crandall Peak.
Hull Creek / Trout Creek OHV
Southeast of Sacramento and northeast of Sonora, the Hull and Trout Creek area is a popular area for ATV users to operate with 20 miles of signed trails and 100 miles of roads open to OHV use. Unlike the Crandall and Deer Creek area, few single-track motorcycle trails currently exist. The riding area ranges in elevation of 4500 feet near Long Barn to 7600 feet at Bourland Mountain. The riding area is closed during the winter due to snow blocking access.
Fordyce Creek Trail
In the Tahoe National Forest, the Fordyce Creek Trail is a 10 mile route open to ATV riding. It is known as one of the three routes used for the annual Sierra Trek. There are several deep water crossings and steep climbs. The route leads to Summit City at Meadow Lake.
Alamo Mountain Loop
South of Frazier Park in the Los Padres National Forest, the Alamo Mountain Loop is a 20 mile loop open to ATV riding. It is mostly level, but does have some narrow stretches and blind corners. After the pavement ends, the trail is rutted with rocky sections.
Ballinger Canyon OHV Area
Southeast of Cuyama in the Los Padres National Forest, the Ballinger Canyon OHV Area is one of the most popular areas to ride ATVs in California. The trail system has wide diversity, including winding singletrack. It consists of over 30 trail segments to form an infinite number of loops ranging from easy to difficult. There are 11 4WD roads, 12 ATV trails and 14 motorcycle only trails in the area.
Jawbone OHV Area
East of Bakersfield near Ridgecrest, the Jawbone OHV Open Area (aka Jawbone Station / Randsburg) has 8,500 acres open to ATV riding. There are steep canyons and hill climbs to explore. The entire OHV area and surrounding public lands are open to primitive camping. Within Jawbone Canyon itself, there are a number of excellent primitive camping sites and OHV staging/off-loading areas.
Prosser Hill OHV
North of Truckee in the Tahoe National Forest, the Prosser Hill OHV Area has 22 miles of ATV riding over several trails. The Prosser Hill Staging Area is located 4 miles north of town on SR89.
Milsap Bar West
East of Chico and northeast of Oroville in the Plumas National Forest, the Milsap Bar West route is about 8 miles long and is open to ATV riding. The Milsap Bar West route (aka Route 1) begins just south of the Brush Creek Work Center off the Oroville Quincy Road, and it drops into the Middle Fork Feather Wild and Scenic River. There are good views of Bald Roack Dome and the Feather River Canyon. The route is considered easy to moderate, with some narrow, steep sections.
Cleghorn Bar OHV
In the Plumas National Forest, the Cleghorn Bar OHV area has two nice ATV rides. The Middle Fork Feather River route is a scenic 6.6 mile descent with excellent camping available. Also, check out the Stag Point Trail.