10 of the Best Off-Road Trails to Challenge You in California

Get ready for heart-pounding excitement as I share 10 of my favorite challenging and breathtaking off-road trails in California, guaranteed to push your driving skills and your 4x4 vehicle to their limits!

These challenging trails are perfect for thrill-seekers wielding a Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Tacoma, or any high-clearance four wheel drive beast equipped with oversized tires and lockers. Dare to conquer these exceptional trails and satisfy your hunger for adventure.

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0:00 Introduction
0:50 Holcomb Creek
2:12 Defense Mine
3:24 Pinyon Mountain
4:23 Bronco Peak
5:20 Rubicon Trail
6:20 Slick Rock
8:12 John Bull
9:22 Odessa and Doran Canyon
10:49 Valley of the Moon

[markw]

Good list, you should check out Swamp Lake Trail, and Coyote Lake. Like the rubicon, but not as much traffic. Open late July.

[mksman]

You’re right California has a lot to offer. It is hard to put together a list like this. I think if you are looking for a challenging trail Fourdyce must be on the list.

[ronammon]

Excellent list of CA trails and you had a couple I haven't been on... and a couple I hope make your next list (Fordyce, Dusy-Ershim, et. al.) Hope to see you on the trail.

[wemadeitthisfar]

Brad this is awesome. Hope you can do more states like this. Even if it’s top 5! I think we would all enjoy it. Thanks for all your time!

[mikegallagher]

Thank you Brad I Haven't ventured into CA. yet, BUT...These trails are DEFINITELY on MY Bucket list !!!! AWESOME AS ALWAYS !!!!

[Billrovid]

Thanks for the list Brad. These trails are beyond me right now but maybe one day

[LeFlea]

Loved your video, as well as the easy trails video. Will you be doing a moderate trail video? Not sure if you have one up yet.

[Fshifty]

I’m 5/10. Just did Holcomb and John Bull about a month ago. Holcomb is hands down my favorite trail to date. Such a great place.

[chrisregier]

Thanks for this! Heading to Carlsbad late April for our national meeting. Driving out from Oklahoma. Looks like valley of the moon and defense mine might be the best choices given time of year and locations. Always appreciate you content man!!

[Shaneson]

Nice video. 👍🏽👍🏽

another video with more trail options to look at at Southern California and northern California

[tomassanesson]

Sooo awesome beautiful epik trail s🤘👍❤❤

[steveegbert]

Good list, lots of good trails in the Sierra National Forest east of Fresno, Ducy Ersham, Swamp Lake, Mirror Lake, Brewer Lake and Bald Mountain.

[ajfarson]

Fordyce Trail (not the back way)! With obstacles like Winchhill 1 and 2, some would argue that it is a buggy trail, but we take our Land Cruisers up there often.

[jeremyoliver]

Brad, another great video! Would love to see your top 10 for stock Jeeps, top 10 intermediate, and top 10 beginners trails. Thanks for all you do!

[manfredolson]

Hey Brad, Brad here .. aka Manfred Olson. Anyhoo.. been watching since you and your boys were working on some old XJ. I have an XJ which is what linked me to your videos. Anyhoo.. I typically don’t do much commenting, but I had to say that this video was incredibly informative. Your content is so well done as well. I appreciate all you have done to keep people like me informed and entertained. I’m a North County guy and perhaps I’ll run into you some day Peace and happy safe times!!

[exploretography]

Great list Brad! We will have to get over there and run your trails soon! Another great video.. thanks!

[MarioLoco]

Oh man..."The Squeeze"...First time I took my 5th gen runner off-roading I accidentally took a trail that went to the squeeze...I turned around lol. There was a guy there sitting in a fold out chair by his jeep just waiting for people to go through it haha!

[vernvartdal]

Great list, seen videos on many. I have not built my rig for rock crawling, but I appreciate watching it and get a rush from the difficult features I have conquered.

[johnnychun]

John Bull is even more fun when there's snow and ice on the trail.

[OVRLNDX]

What a great video!! Thanks for the memories brother!!