Northern & Southern California 4×4 Trails Book

A must-have for any 4×4 owner!

The California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails book is the ultimate guide to 4×4 trails in Northern and Southern California. While it doesn’t cover every trail, it includes 100 top trails with 500 photos and 232 pages packed with trail tips and tricks. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, this book is essential for 4Runner and 4×4 owners.

It’s the perfect companion for exploring California’s best 4×4 trails.

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• 4×4 Trails Book: Check Price

Interesting fact: Did you know there are 3000+ Lakes in California? But, that is nothing compared to Alaska at 3,000,000. Yeah, that’s right. Alaska has 3 million lakes! 

Highlights & Features of the California 4×4 Trails Book

• 100 Northern & Southern California Trails, 232 Pages & 500 Color Photos
• 108 Custom Maps with Landmarks & Difficulty
• Durable Cover with Spiral Binding
• California ATV and UTV Trails
• Turn-by-Turn Mileage Log (Very Helpful)
• GPS Coordinates
• Historical Landmarks Explained (Brief History)

4×4 Trail Maps Book Review

This is an excellent book to have when you are off-road and need a reference point for where you are located and where you are heading. Of course, you want a GPS to tell you exactly where you are, but having this book does help guide you in the right direction.

In each Northern or Southern California Trail guide, you will find detailed information about that specific trail’s difficulty, step by step directions, map overview guides, trail landmarks, and on-trail photos.

Trail Ratings & Difficulty

Conditions on California 4×4 Trails

Trail conditions can change quickly in California due to weather and time of year. The book marks trails as “difficult” if any section is challenging, but you may drive parts of the trail before reaching the difficult area. It’s important to judge trail conditions on the day you drive it.

Easy Trails (Fire Roads & Flat Trails)

These trails feature gravel, dirt, clay, sand, or mild rocky roads with gentle grades. Water levels are low except after heavy runoff. Most trails are wide enough for easy passing. Some can be driven in 2-wheel drive; others require 4-wheel drive or low range in certain conditions.

Moderate Trails (Steep Inclines & Rocky Terrain)

Rough dirt and rocky roads make for moderate trails. Tire placement may be crucial, and some trails have steep grades or sideways tilts. Stock vehicles may be fine unless there’s heavy runoff or mud. Aftermarket suspension, skid plates, and higher ground clearance may be needed.

Difficult Trails (Large Rocks, Challenging Transitions)

Difficult trails feature steep grades, severe washouts, large boulders, and narrow shelf roads. Water crossings and deep sand can be encountered. These trails are suited for modified vehicles with suspension lifts, lockers, and winches. Be cautious of potential body damage.

Northern California 4×4 Trails

Multiple “Zones” to cover in Northern California. In the Northern California 4×4 Trails section, there are four different zones that cover everything from Eureka through Red Bluff and Redding to Truckee, Tahoe, and Yosemite. We are located in Sacramento so this is where we are going to spend most of our time. Take a look below to see some of the specific 4×4 trails in Northern California.

Northern  California 4×4 Trails list Area 1

Redding, Red Bluff, Gold Lake & Our Beloved Lake Tahoe

• Bowerman Ridge
• Shasta Balley peak
• Pellegrino Jeep Way
• High Lakes
• Stag Point
• Cleghorn Bar
• Poker Flat
• Deer Lake
• Golden Valley
• Snake Lake
• Sierra Buttes
• Ellis Peak & Blackwood Canyon
• Buck Lake
• Rubicon Westside
• Rubicon Eastside
• Shirttail Canyon

Northern California 4×4 Trails list Area 2

Lake Alpine, Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, Big Pine, Shaver Lake & Yosemite Area 

• Barney Riley
• Slickrock Trail
• Coral Hollow
• Niagara Rim
• Bodie Ghost Town
• Kavanaugh Ridge
• Copper Mountain
• Deadman Pass
• Laurel Lakes
• San Canyon
• Wheeler Ridge
• Buttermilk Country
• Coyote Flat
• Mazourka Canyon
• Bald Mountain
• Brewer Lake
• Mirror Lake & Strawberry Lake
• Coyote Lake
• Swamp lake
• Dusy/Ershim Trail
• Spanish Route

Southern California 4×4 Trails

Southern California has some of the coolest scenes in California’s 4×4 world. From Hollister Hills to the Mud Caves, Southern California has much to be explored. In the Southern California section of California 4×4 Trails, there are four zones that are covered. If you are able to cover every trail in each of these zones, awesome. There are quite a few. If you are looking for a good starting point for southern California 4×4 Trails, start here. You will not be disappointed.

Southern California 4×4 Trails list Area 3

Lone Pine, Death Valley National Park & the Panamint Mountains 

• Movie Rd.
• Alabama Hills
• Swansea-Cerro Gordo Scenic Drive
• Racetrack via Hunter Mountain
• Marble & Cottonwood Canyons
• Titus canyon
• Chloride City
• Inyo-Mine & Echo Pass
• Pleasant Canyon
• Briggs Camp
• Goler wash & Mengle Pass
• Butte Valley
• Sperry Wash
• Dumont Dunes

Southern California 4×4 Trails list Area 4

Lake Isabella, Ridgecrest, Barstow 

• Monache Meadows
• Sherman Pass 4×4 Trail
• Freeway Ridge – Black Gulch Trail
• Jawbone to Lake Isabella
• Jawbone OHV
• Bonanza Gulch
• Opal Canyon
• Last Chance Canyon
• Wall Street Canyon Overlook
• Odessa-Doran loop
• Phillips loop

Southern California 4×4 Trails list Area 5

Frazier Park, Santa Clarita, big bear, Lake Arrowhead 

• Hungry Valley SVRA
• Alamo Mountain Loop
• Liebre mountain
• Sierra Pelona Ridge – Rowler OHV
• Cleghorn Ridge
• Pilot Rock Road
• Willow Creek Rd
• Grapevine Canyon
• Dish Pan Springs
• Holcomb Creek
• John Bull Trail
• Jacoby Canyon
• Skyline Dr
• Clarks Summit
• Burns Canyon

Southern California 4×4 Trails list Area 6

Ocotillo, Anza-Borrego Desert, Superstition Mountain, Imperial Sandune’s

• Ocotillo Wells SVRA
• Pumpkin Patch
• Cross Over Trail
• Calcite Mine
• Fonts point
• The Slot
• Pinyon Mountain Valley
• Sandstone Canyon
• Blair Valley
• Canyon Sin Nombre
• Mud Caves
• Mortero Wash
• McCain Valley Rd
• Los Pinos Mountain Loop
• Sidewinder
• Bronco Peak
• Superstition Mountain
• Glamis, Oldsmobile Hill, and Sand Highway

A few others remain but that is about 90% of the trails that they cover. In each one of these sections, you will find detailed information on the 4×4 trail itself along with maps, tips and local history/ points of interest. This book cuts right to the good stuff. Aside from busy trail directory websites, this book gives you everything you need to know and a little more.

California Backroads & Detailed Landmarks

My favorite aspect of this book is the attention to detail. The authors truly understand what 4×4 enthusiasts look for—stunning nature shots and off-the-beaten-path landmarks. After decades of exploring, they know the difference between dull trails and thrilling adventures. The book highlights 100 of the best 4×4 trails in Northern and Southern California, offering an updated guide to the most exciting routes. Unlike older guides, this book reflects the current status of open trails and offers a fresh perspective.

When driving your 4Runner, you want a route with twists, dips, and real sights to enjoy. This book ensures your next 4×4 adventure won’t be a waste of time. Remember to stay responsible and always follow designated trails.