Bay Area Off-Road Trails | Wet Sounds

Although the San Francisco Bay Area is best known for its tech-heavy business market and clam chowder, it's also a place where outdoor enthusiasts love to live and visit. Getting off the beaten path allows you to explore areas that you may not even know exist in this area of the country. Explore some of the best Bay Area off-road trails as you plan your next adventure.

Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area

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The Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) is about 70 miles east of San Francisco, making it quite accessible for those in the Bay Area. It's one of the closest off-roading trails to the city, and it's open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for outdoor adventuring. The recreational area has everything you might need for an incredible experience, including a designated four-wheeling area, a motocross track, riding trails for beginners and more experienced off-roaders, and an ATV track.

If you want to stay for a day or two, you can rent a campsite in this location. Riders also have access to the MotoMart on the premises, which carries a range of off-roading essentials. Other appealing elements of this spot include sandpits, rocky trails, and locations where you can test larger off-roading vehicles.

Foresthill OHV Area

Foresthill OHV Area is within Tahoe National Forest, and it spans more than 100 miles. Along the way, you'll enjoy stunning views of Lake Tahoe and its unforgettable blue water. The natural surroundings in this off-roading area are also quite impressive. Since the trail is part of the National Park system, all visitors must pay an entrance fee. Those who plan to camp nearby will also need to reserve campsites in advance. The campgrounds located closest to the lake tend to fill up fastest.

Knoxville Recreation Area

Knoxville is north of the Bay Area, and this recreation area attracts visitors from across California who love exploring the Bay Area off-road trails. With close to 18,000 acres of land, this spot is appealing to all types of outdoor enthusiasts. The off-roading crowd can use the well-maintained trails that encompass all types of terrain and rolling hills to climb. Other available outdoor activities include orienteering and biking. In addition to having an extensive network of off-roading trails, Knoxville Recreation Area also houses species of vegetation and hardwood that are exclusive to the region.

While you're visiting this spot, you can take advantage of the free campsites. The recreation area is open year-round for fun throughout the changing seasons. If you don't have your own ATV or off-roading vehicle, you may be able to rent one nearby.

Old Coast Road

Old Coast Road is less than two hours from the Bay Area, and it's a great place to explore if you can handle moderately rated terrain. The road is about 10 miles in length. Some areas are a bit rougher than others, but as long as your vehicle has sufficient ground clearance, you should be able to handle it.

As you ride, you can see nearby Big Sur and the mountains surrounding this beautiful part of the state. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for the area in which you plan to ride. The climate here is diverse. In addition, the proximity to the ocean often brings high winds and heavy rainfall, and off-roading when conditions are too wet can cause your vehicle to lose traction and slip.

Penny Pines 

Located within Mendocino National Forest, Penny Pines is an off-roading trail only for the most experienced and skilled riders. Nearly all of the trails in this system are rated with black diamonds, indicating their high level of difficulty. The area has undergone sufficient rehabilitation after the Ranch and River fires that struck in 2018. If you're not a skilled off-roader, consider the dry riverbeds and smoother dirt roads located in other areas of Mendocino National Forest. They're accessible from the trail system but are a bit easier to navigate.

Rubicon Trail

If you're willing to drive for about three hours, you can get to the Rubicon Trail. It's one of the state's most famous off-road parks and worth the trip. Four-wheeling enthusiasts agree that this spot is also one of the most challenging areas to explore on the back of an ATV or four-wheeler. Some of the trails reach 7,000 feet in elevation, and the terrain is undoubtedly challenging. As you climb the rocky and packed trails, you can find spots that overlook the nearby lake.

Rubicon Trail also attracts thousands of visitors each August for the annual Rubicon Trail event. If you want to learn from some of the best off-roaders in the industry, visit during this time. You'll get tips and techniques to improve your skills. Don't forget your camping gear if you're planning to stay for a couple of days. Since the trail is lengthy, an off-roading enthusiast can take days to explore the entire trail.

South Cow Mountain Recreation Area

According to some off-road enthusiasts, South Cow Mountain Recreation Area is the best place to get off the beaten path and explore. It's part of the larger Cow Mountain Recreation Area, which occupies 52,000 acres of land. Even the south portion of this location spans 23,000 acres, so it's among the largest places to go off-roading. This recreation area overlooks Lake County and Mendocino, which both offer gorgeous views of the natural scenery.

The trails available to off-roaders in South Cow Mountain Recreation Area include loose dirt, rocks, and hard pack. Some reach as high as 4,000 feet in elevation, so prepare for some long and steep climbs. You can explore these trails on an ATV, four-wheeler, or motorcycle. 

Don't forget to outfit your ATV with the right accessories and equipment to enjoy your ride on the Bay Area off-road trails even more. If you love to listen to tunes while you ride, take a look at the speaker systems available from Wet Sounds. We believe our powersports audio options designed to fit with your adventurous lifestyle can provide you with the crisp, clear sound you want, no matter where you're riding your ATV or UTV.