Tag Archives: trails

Mountain Bike California

Mountain Biking
MTB New Trails, Bike Clubs, Races

single track

With a variety of terrains & scenery, California has an abundance of areas to ride bikes off road. Mountain biking was supposedly born in California between 1970-80’s (Marin County to be exact) and therefore, it is a very popular activity in the golden state.  History of Mountain Biking

California biking clubs: social, hobby or hard core! From beginner to advanced, you’ll find a new trails on here.

Many alpine snow ski centers become mountain bike havens in the summer months. They shuttle you up on their ski lifts and then you get an exhilarating downhill.

check

places NOT to ride:

NFSlogoCalifornia National Forests

San Bernardino
Shasta-Trinity
Mendocino
Los Padres
Six Rivers
Stanislaus
Cleveland
El Dorado
Klamath
Angeles
Sequoia
Toiyabe
Plumas
Lassen
Modoc
Sierra
Tahoe
Inyo

California bike trails

Mountain biking near the Grandview Mine in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, overlooking the Eastern Sierra

Real Maps: the best trail maps around are HARD COPIES = Tom Harrison Maps – water & tear resistant plastic topo maps

inyo maps small towns for mountain biking:

Downieville
Tahoe
Mineral
Angels Camp
Idyllwild
Sierraville
June Lake
Garberville
Weaverville
Bridgeport
Borrego Springs
Kernville
Chester
Markleeville
Sonora
Ponderosa
Mariposa
Santa Barbara
Santa Ynez
Arroyo Grande

redrox

Moab, Utah

Outdoor recreation mecca – MOAB, UT has so many locations to ride; from secluded dirt roads, to red rock canyons, slick-rock faces, to upper elevation aspen groves in the La Sal mountains.

Moab is a very popular destination, so make your reservations early. Or just grab a good maps and pitch a tent on any dirt road (and sleep for free).

Wheeling

close up bike

califrepublic

Mountain Bike Tours / Guides

Gravity Activated Sports
Palomar Plunge
16220 Hwy 76
PO Box 683
Pauma Valley, CA 92061
800-985-4427
619-742-2294

Marin Mountain Bike Tours
415 387-1486

Rock Industries Unlimited, Inc.
PO Box 5081
Norco, CA 92860-5081
714-448-6075

Santa Barbara Adventure Co.
PO Box 208
Santa Barbara CA 93102
888-596-6687
805-882-2096

Stoked SF
San Francisco Bay Area
519 Nevada Street
Sausalito, CA 94965
415-515-8692

mountains

California Bicycle Coalition
– transportation & recreation

Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association
multi-use trails in Santa Monica Mountains

East Bay Bicycle Coalition – transportation & recreation

International Mountain Biking Association

Pasadena Mountain Bike Club (?)
San Gabriel Mountains

San Diego Mountain Biking Association

San Diego Bicycle Club

SHARE Mountain Bike Club
– Orange County Biking Club

Silicone Valley Mountain Bikers
– San Mateo & Santa Clara counties

Southern California Mountain Biking – mountain bike club

snow

Big Bear Lake

Snow Summit Ski area
909-866-4565
Open to mountain biking with chair lift

Snow Valley
909- 867-2751
Running Springs, CA 92382
Open to mountain biking from Memorial Day to Labor Day

San Bernardino National Forest
Miles of forest roads around Big Bear Lake & most all trails allow mountain bikes. “Rim of the World Drive” Fawnskin and  Holcomb Valley with a network of dirt roads.

Borrego Springs

The Palms at Indian Head
Mountain Bike Rentals @ Hotel

Gold Country

East Bullards Bar Trail, near Yuba City & Lake Oroville

Folsom-Auburn Trail Riders Action Coalition (FATRAC) – group of volunteers educating riders and building trails. They maintain trails and have weekly rides in the area.

North Mojave Desert

Randsburg (Mining Camp)
Ridgecrest

Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Mountain
Alabama Hills Eastern Sierra, Lone Pine, CA
June Lake dirt back roads
Inyo National Forest

San Diego

Rancho Cuyamaca on Hwy. 79 @ S-1 jct
Cleveland National Forest

San Francisco

Bay Area Ridge Trail
multi-use trail overlooking the San Francisco Bay

Napa County Bike Trails

Half Moon Campground
Half Moon Campground, Los Padres NF

technical trails

Horseback Rides Big Bear

Horseback Riding @ Big Bear
Big Bear Lake, California

Big Bear Lake

Baldwin Lake Stables
46475 Pioneertown Road
Big Bear City, CA 92314
+19095856482

Big Bear Carriages
Carriage Rides
Pine Knot Ave @ Pedder Rd
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
+19095842277

Oak Springs Ranch Riding Area
182 Fawnskin Road
Apple Valley, CA 92308

horseback

corral
Horse Corral Camp @ Mission Springs, San Gorgonio

Big Bear Lake Area
Horse Campgrounds

camping

Big Pine Equestrian Group Campground
Big Pine Flat Road
Lucerne Valley, CA 92356
+18774446777

Green Spot Equestrian Group Campground
1908 Wildhorse Meadows Road #2N23
Big Bear, CA 92314

Heartbar Equestrian Group Camp
Highway 38
Angeles Oaks, CA
+18774446777

pct

Mission Springs Camp & Corrals
PCT Camp: Sand to Snow
San Gorgonio Wilderness Trailhead
(dirt road access @ Heart Bar Campground)

Wild Horse Equestrian Campground
46620 Highway 38
Angeles Oaks, CA
+18774446777

Mountains

see also – Los Angeles Horseback Riding

Horseback Rides Los Angeles

Trails Rides near Los Angeles

Lockwood Valley

Los Angeles Horseback Riding

horseback

 

American Jousting Alliance
James Zoppe Trail Rides
Lockwood Valley
15568 Greenleaf Springs Road
Frazier Park , CA
661-245-4000

Cowgirl Tours & Training
3696 N Fair Oaks Street
Altadena Ca 91001
626-421-5749

Griffith Park Pony Rides
[PERMANENTLY CLOSED 2023]

LA Horse Rentals
Griffith Park
1850 Riverside Drive
Glendale, CA 91201
818-242-8443

Los Angeles Equestrian Center
480 West Riverside Drive
Burbank, CA 91506
818-840-9063

Malibu Horse Riding
2550 Old Topanga Canyon Rd
Topanga, CA 90290
818-225-7433

Marshall Canyon Equestrian Center
7000 Esperanza Dr
La Verne, CA 91750
909-593-8739

Montebello Barnyard Zoo
& Pony Rides

600 Rea Drive
Montebello, CA
213-718-5442

Palos Verdes Stables
4057 Viaduct Opata
Palos Verdes, CA
310-310-5178

Rancho Potrero
4790 West Lynn Road
Newbury Park, CA 91320
805-491-1230

Sunset Ranch Stables
3400 N. Beachwood Dr
Hollywood, CA 90068
323-469-5450

Sunwolf Farms
Lockwood Valley Rd
Frazier Park, CA 93225
661-245-9653

Trail 21W03 Mt Pinos

Yosemite BLM Camping

merced BLM sign

BLM Merced River
Cheaper Camping
West of Yosemite NP

California Highway 140 (CA State Route 140) accesses Yosemite National Park from the west side @ Mariposa, CA. This not-so-secret camp spot is set in an ideal location, off the main highway and right on the river.

river road

Merced River crosses the highway near MidPines @ Briceburg Road, with 3 small BLM campgrounds located along the river. These river camps are open all year round, are dirt cheap and only available on a first come, first serve basis. There are numerous walk-in camp sites, where you must haul your gear and park a short distance away.

railroadflat

Briceburg River Road

BLM Briceburg Visitors Center
OPEN ONLY Saturday and Sunday 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Dirt road access w/ turn off at the Briceburg Information Center on California Highway 140. West of El Portal, CA and east of MidPines. Nearest grocery and services are 12 miles away to the west in Mariposa, California

BRING ALL YOU NEED for your overnight stay, as driving in and out on this (20 mph) dirt road can be an easy “half-day affair” with road conditions, passing traffic, potholes, stops for lunch, sightseeing and a gasoline stop. If you plan to do day-trips into Yosemite National Park – be aware that Yosemite Valley is ONE hour away from Briceburg, eastward via paved mountain roads.

Driving this non-paved route requires crossing a narrow suspension bridge, where big vehicles, RVs, trailers and rigs longer than 18′ are not recommended. The one-lane, dead-end dirt road hugs the cliff edge, above the river, is one lane in some spots, and mostly graded with a few pot holes; almost 5 miles long – ending at a locked gate with trailhead parking. Next to a vault toilet. (Not an ideal spot to be stuck at)

briceburg bridge
Briceburg Suspension Bridge
  • camping

  • fishing

  • hiking

  • kayaking

  • river rafting

  • swimming

  • wildflowers

campground full

Merced River Recreation Management Area

rare empty campsite

camp

BLM Campgrounds @ Merced River

vault toilet, picnic table, fire ring
and an overnight fee to go with

McCabe Flat Campground

Willow Placer Campground

Railroad Flat Campground

last camp view

BLM Hiking @ Merced River

This rugged canyon was the site of the historic railway called YVRR (Yosemite Valley Railroad), which hugs the Merced River for many miles. Now numerous hiking and biking trails. Dog friendly BLM campground. Walk-in campsites.

river_trail
The old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade
wildflower merced
California milkweed

merced poppy patch

Mountain Camping California

destination: outdoors

real pine forests, cedar, fir, spruce, & hardwood; higher elevation, sierra nevada, north state, streams, river & lakes, campgrounds, RV camps, tent camping, backpacking trailheads, mountain biking areas,  wilderness camps, hot springs

Hiking California
Vogelsang Pass, Yosemite Backcountry

camping

Agua Tibia Wilderness
Alabama Hills, Lone Pine
Algoma Campground @ McCloud
Almanor Lake
Almanor Resorts
American River California
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
Angeles Campgrounds
Angeles National Forest
Angeles Oaks, SoCal
Angels Camp, Gold Rush Country
Ansel Adams Wilderness
Aspendell, Bishop Creek
Armstrong State Park, NorCal
Arnold, CA, Sierra Nevada
Lake Arrowhead Camping
Aspendell, Lakes & Bishop Creek
Atwell Mill Campground, Mineral King
Auburn Camping, American River
Austin Creek SRA, Bullfrog Pond Campground

Balch Park, Sequoia Mountain Home SF
Bass Lake Camping
Bear Campground,  Angeles NF #7N23
Bear Meadow, Sequoia NF #23S64
Bear River, California
Belden Town, North Fork Feather River

Big Basin State Park, Santa Cruz Redwoods
Big Bear Lake, So Cal
Big Meadow Road #14S11, Sequoia
Blackrock Reservoir, Kings River

Blue Lakes Camping
Bucks Lake Campgrounds
Bucks Lake Wilderness
Burney Falls State Park Camping

California Fire Lookouts
NFS Cabins Rentals

Calaveras Big Trees, Gold Country
Camp Nelson, Giant Sequoia
Canyon Creek Campground, Sierra Nevada
Carson River, California
Lake Castaic Camping L.A.
Castle Crag State Park, W of Shasta
Cave Campground, Hat Creek
Cleveland NF, Laguna Mtn, San Diego
Convict Lake, Eastern Sierra
Courtright Reservoir, W Sierra
Coyote Lake, 4×4 Camp, W Sierra
Lake Crowley, Eastern Sierra
Crocker Campground, Lake Davis
Lake Cuyamaca Camping, E San Diego
Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, San Diego

Dardanelle, Sonora Pass
Lake Davis Loop, Plumas NF #24N10
Deanes Valley Campground, Plumas NF
Desolation Wilderness, Tahoe
Dick Smith Wilderness, Los Padres NF

Dinkey Creek Camping, Sierra NF
Dinkey Lakes Wilderness

Dolomite Campground, Vegas
Dome Land Wilderness, Sequoia NF
Dome Springs Campground, Los Padres
Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee

Douglas City Campground, Trinity River

Eastern Sierra Camping

El Dorado Campgrounds, Gold Country
El Dorado Camping
El Dorado National Forest

Faucherie Lake, Donner Pass
Feather River, North Sierra
Forks of the Kern, Sequoia NF #22S82

South Yuba Campground BLM
South Yuba Campground BLM

Gold Lake California
Grant Grove, Kings Canyon NP
Green Creek Road, Eastern Sierra
Green Valley Lake, Big Bear

Grover Hot Springs State Park, S Tahoe
Gurnsey Campground, Lassen NF

Happy Camp, Klamath River
Hat Creek Campground NFS, Lassen Fishing
Huntington Lake, Sierra Nevada
Hoover Wilderness, Eastern Sierra
Hope Valley Camping, Tahoe
Horse Meadow Campground, Eastern Sierra
Hume Lake Camping, Sequoia
Huntington Lake, W Sierra

Inyo Back Roads Camping
Inyo National Forest, Eastern Sierra
Isabella Lake Camp, Kern River

Jackson, Gold Country Foothills
Jennie Lakes Wilderness, Sequoia
John Muir Wilderness
Julian, San Diego Mountains
June Lake Loop Campgrounds
Juniper Lake, Lassen NP
Lake Kaweah, South Sequoia NP

Kaiser Wilderness, W Sierra
Kennedy Meadows, Kern

Kern Flats Free Camping
Kern River California
Kern River, Southern Sierra
Kern River Campgrounds
Kern River Camping
Kern River Hot Springs
Kernville, California – Southern Sierra
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings River Camping
Kirch Flat Campground, Kings
Lower Kings River Road #12S01

Kirkwood Lake, Carson Pass
Klamath National Forest
Klamath Lakes, California

Klamath River, Northern Cal

Water

Laguna Hanson, Baja California
Sierra Juarez Mountains

Lake Hemet, Idyllwild
Lake Oroville SRA
Lake Tahoe Campgrounds
Lake Tahoe Towns

Lakes Basin Recreation Area

Lassen Forest Roads

Lassen Lakes, Fishing Camping
Lassen National Forest
Lassen Volcanic NP

Lily Pad Campground, Wishon
Little Grass Valley Reservoir
Long Valley Campground, Kern

Los Padres Camping
Los Padres Group Campgrounds
Los Padres National Forest

Lundy Lake, Eastern Sierra

Mahogany Flat Campground, DVNP
Mammoth Lakes, Eastern Sierra
Mammoth Pool Reservoir, W Sierra
Marble Mountain Wilderness
Markleeville, Sierra Nevada
McArthur-Burney Falls Campground
McCloud Camping, Shasta NF
McCloud River & Falls
McGee Creek Campground, Eastern Sierra
McKinley Sequoia Grove, Western Sierra

Meadow Valley, Plumas NF
Mendocino National Forest
Merced River California
Mineral King Canyon, Sequoia NP
Mill Creek California
Modoc National Forest
Mono Hot Springs, Sierra NF
Mono Lake California
Mt Abel, Camp-O-Alto @ Cerro Noroeste
Mount Charleston, Vegas
Mount Laguna, E San Diego

Mount Pinos Campgrounds
Mountain Home State Forest, Sequoias

cabinicon

National Forest Cabins
Nettle Springs Campground, Los Padres
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, Gold Country
New Melones Reservoir, Gold Country Foothills
North Bloomfield,  Gold Country
North San Juan, Gold Country

Ojai Camping, Los Padres NF
Onion Valley Campground, Eastern Sierra
Oroville Camping, Feather Rivers Recreation

PCT – Backpacking the High Sierra
Pacific Crest Trail Maps & Guide Books
PCT Highlights in California

Palomar Mountain, N San Diego
Palomar Mountain State Park

Pine Creek Wilderness, E San Diego
Pinecrest Lake Camping
Pine Flat Reservoir, Kings River
Pine Mountain, Mount Pinos

Plumas Campgrounds
Plumas Fishing Camping
Plumas National Forest
Pyramid Lake, N Los Angeles
Ponderosa, Giant Sequoia

Primitive Camping California

Quatal Canyon, Los Padres Rd #9N09
Quincy Camping, Plumas NF

Red Lake, 4×4 Camp, W Sierra
Redinger Lake, Western Sierra
Remington Hot Springs, Kern
Reyes Peak, N Ojai, Los Padres NF

Rock Creek, California
Rock Creek Campgrounds
Rock Front Ranch, 4×4 Camping
Ross Camp, Jamison Creek

rentalswithtrails

Saddlebag Lake Campground, Tioga
Salmon River, NorCal
San Bernardino NF, Big Bear

Sand Pond, Lakes Basin
San Diego Mountains
San Diego Group Camping

Salmon River, Northern Cal
Samuel P Taylor Campground, Redwoods SF

San Gorgonio Wilderness, Big Bear
San Joaquin River, Sierra Nevada
Mount San Jacinto Camping
San Jacinto Wilderness, Idyllwild

San Mateo Canyon Wilderness
San Rafael Wilderness, Los Padres NF

Santa Lucia Camping, Central Coast
Santa Lucia Wilderness

Sardine Lake, Lakes Basin
Sawmill Lake, Sierra Nevada
Scott River, California

Sequoia Lakes
Sequoia National Forest Camping
Sequoia National Park
Sequoia OHV Camping

Sespe Hot Springs
Sespe Wilderness
Shasta-Trinity Forest, NorCal
Lake Shasta Campgrounds

Shaver Lake Camping
Sierra Buttes, Lakes Basin
San Madre Ridge, Los Padres NF
Sierra National Forest
Sierra NF Rd #9, Big Creek


Sierra Nevada Lakes
Sierra RV Parks

Silver Lake California (more than one)
Silver Peak Wilderness, Big Sur
Silverwood Lake SRA, Los Angeles
Silver City, Mineral King, Sequoia NP
Sinkyone Wilderness, Lost Coast
Siskiyou Wilderness, Klamath

Six Rivers National Forest

Smith Lake, Lakes Basin
Smith River NRA

Snag Lake Campground, Lakes Basin
Snake Lake Campground, Quincy
Snow Mountain Wilderness, Mendo NF

Snow Towns in California

South Warner Wilderness, Modoc
South Yuba River Camping
Stanislaus & Sonora Pass, Sierra Nevada
Stanislaus River California 
Stanislaus Sonora Camping

Sugarloaf Ridge, Sequoia NF 23N16
Susan River, California mtnbikeforest

Tahoe Camping
Tahoe Lake Campgrounds
Tahoe National Forest

Tent Cabins in California

Thorndike Campground, DVNP

Three Rivers, Sequoia NP
Toiyabe National Forest
Topaz Lake, Eastern Sierra
Trinity Lake Campgrounds
Trinity Alps Wilderness, NorCal
Trinity River, Northern Cal

Truckee River California
Tule River California 
Tuttle Creek Campground, Eastern Sierra
Twin Lakes, Eastern Sierra

Valle Vista Campground, Los Padres
Ventana Wilderness, Big Sur
Virginia Lakes Camping

Walker Lake, Inyo Rd #1S23
Weaverville Camping, Trinity River
Weed, California, Mount Shasta
Whiskeytown Reservoir, W Redding
Wishon Lake, Western Sierra

Wrightwood, Angeles Crest

Yolla Bolly Wilderness
Yosemite Lakes
Yosemite National Park
Yuba River California

horsepacks

Animals

see also –

All Lake Campgrounds in California
Autumn Colors Camping in California
Bear in California
Free Campgrounds in Sierra
Free RV Camping

Horse Pack Camping Trips
Primitive Camping California 

RV Parks Northern California
RV Park Klamath River
Sierra Lakes California
Sunrise at Camp
Tent Cabins in California
Walk-In Camp Sites
Yellow Post Campsites
4×4 Camping California 

 

Smith River Camping California

Panther Flat

Forests & Parks near
Smith River California

Del Norte Redwoodspinetree
Florence Keller Park
Jedediah Smith Redwoods SP
Siskiyou Wilderness
Six Rivers National Forest
Smith River NRA

camp

Campgrounds along the Smith River

listed from north to south

Patrick Creek Campground (open May – Sept)

Grassy Flat Campground (open May – Sept)

Panther Flat Campground (open all year)
coin operated showers; walk to town, Gasquet, CA

North Fork Campground (open all year)

Jedediah Smith Redwoods
State Park Campground
(open all year)

Big Flat Campground (open May – Oct)
remote location, off County Road 405

Florence Keller Park
County Park & Campground
@ US Hwy 101

Panther Flat CG

camptruck

Dispersed Camping on River

Water

NFS Cabin Rentals

bycounty

PDF Smith River Map & Guide
6.5  MB download
20 page river guide w/ trailheads mileage and information, navigable runs detailed, campgrounds, picnic sites, fire lookout tower, plus cabin rentals

USDA Smith River page

Smith River NRA Visitor Center
10600 Highway 199
Gasquet, CA 95543
707-457-3131

Epipactis gigantea-1-lg

towns near the Smith River:

Off Road Camper List

4x4 Camping

The Basics

clothing, first aid kit, maps
sweater/fleece, light jacket, heavy jacket
coveralls, boots, shoes
hats, gloves, socks

Food , Ice Chest, Chair, Sleeping Bag, Tent, Tarps, Tools

The large list below might seem absurd for a typical camping trip, but if you are planning a full week of tent campin’ w/ 4 wheelin’ in the high country, then many items may come in handy. Gear-heads will appreciate the fun times and the break downs. Remember, repairs are just part of the adventure!

4x4 Camping

Items specific to off-road travel –

air pressure gauge
allen wrenches
crescent wrench
electrical tape
crimp connectors
grease
pliers
set of open end wrenches/combo wrenches
pocket/utility knife
socket set
screw driver set
pry bar
bailing wire and wire cutters
tie-rod puller/Pitman arm puller
dental pick
telescopic magnet
small lengths of angle iron
tubing/flare wrenches
snap ring pliers
BFH
vise grips
impact driver
JB weld/solder seal
left handed drill & tap/easy out
socket adapter, extension
Locktite
chisel & punch
fresh duct tape
flare tool
bolt cutters
metal shears
disposable gloves
handcleaner
WD40 lubricant
propane canisters & torch
silicone seal / gasket material
brake cleaner
starter fluid
rags
lug wrench
tire plugs
welding sticks
welding goggles

Camp Light

headlamp
spot light
work light
flashlights
batteries
propane lantern
generator
battery pack

Camp Fires in California

Camp Fire

campfire permit
firewood
matches & lighter
newspaper
kindling
shovel
hand saw / chain saw
water
bucket
fire extinguisher

Camp Real California

see also –

4×4 Camping in California
4×4 Clubs in California
4×4 Off-Roading
California Back Roads
Campers CheckList (coming soon)
Vehicle Inspection List (PDF download)