From the staging point, you can head up Jumbo Grade to the top of the mountains and take one of a few connecting roads over to Virginia City. The trail’s moderately difficult in spots—some washouts and off-camber hills make it a bit of a challenge, so it’s not something I’d recommend for anyone new to off-roading. You’ll usually cross a couple of small streams most of the year too. For the more experienced, it’s a fun run, though a short one to the top. There are plenty of other trails branching off the main grade—some easy flat roads, others a bit more technical. The biggest thing to watch out for is the narrow sections where two rigs can’t pass side by side. Keep your eyes up and you’ll usually spot anyone coming the other way without much trouble.

Once you hit the top, take an immediate left and follow the road into Virginia City. That stretch is mostly flat with a few rocky patches that’ll beat your kidneys up a bit, but overall it’s a good beginner trail. Once you roll into the historic town of Virginia City, you can cruise down the main street, grab a bite at one of the restaurants, or stop in at one of the old western-style bars. Whatever you do, make sure you stick to the speed limit or below. I’ve never had any issues with the local sheriffs on my dirt bike or RZR because I don’t raise hell—please do the same so we all keep the privilege.

Throughout the year, there are a couple of off-road races worth checking out. One is the famous Virginia City Grand Prix in late April, and another is the Gold Rush off-road desert race in October, which brings in everything from side-by-sides to Trophy Trucks. Both are a blast whether you’re watching or participating.

After your time in VC, you can head back the same way you came in, and just before you come out of the canyon, hang a left at the Y in the road. That route takes you down toward where the VC train coming from Carson City crosses. Once you’re over the tracks, the road winds through a few curves and passes the lower VC cemetery. From there, follow the main truck roads into American Flat. Be on the lookout for heavy equipment and dump trucks. The roads wind east through several private property areas—so again, don’t be a hooligan. Keep following the road through the valley, up and over the train tracks, and back into the hills. Once you reach the top, you’ll be just south of Jumbo Grade—take an immediate right through some rocky terrain and you’ll end up back on the same road you came in on.

This area makes for a great day ride if you want to see some sights and grab some good food. It’s not a massive off-road area like some of the others I’ve written about, but there are plenty of mountain roads to explore. If the snow’s gone, my wife and I like to take a Mother’s Day ride up to VC every year for lunch.

If you’re looking for a fun day out on your ride, this spot is perfect—plenty to see, a good mix of trails, and a full day of adventure if you take the time to explore.

 This past week I wasn’t able to make it back to Mammoth like I usually do, and my August vacation didn’t work out. Instead, I managed a quick day trip to a beautiful area just outside of Truckee, CA—only about 30 miles from Reno, NV. If you hop off I-80 at the Hirschdale Rd exit, cross the train tracks, you’ll first come across Boca Reservoir, and a little farther up the road you’ll hit Stampede Reservoir. Both bodies of water have plenty of paid campgrounds with easy access to hundreds of miles of off-road trails, singletrack, and forest roads.

Personally, I’m not much for packed campgrounds with noise and distractions. I usually head farther up until the pavement turns to dirt. From there, you can camp almost anywhere. Some spots even allow fire pits, but you’ve got to arrive early—especially before a holiday weekend—if you want to claim a good spot.

The trail network here is impressive. Dirt bike riders can dive into Dog Valley for some great singletrack, while side-by-sides, quads, and trucks have endless options. Dirt roads will take you down to the reservoirs to spend the day by the water, or you can climb up to Verdi Peak for sweeping views over Reno Valley. From there, you can connect all the way to Peavine Mountain, or even take the back route into Border Town, with countless detours and side trails to explore along the way.

One thing I love is that most of the side-by-side roads aren’t completely beat up with washboards or endless whoops. Some are mellow cruising, while others will definitely keep you on your toes.

If you’re in Northern California or Northern Nevada and looking for a great spot to ride and camp when the temps climb, I highly recommend checking this area out. Just do me a favor—keep it close to family and friends. Even though I’m sharing it here, I’d hate to see it get overrun like so many other California riding areas once word gets out.

If you’re local and planning a trip up, let me know—it’s easily one of my favorite nearby places to ride and camp.

I’ve ridden in a lot of places over my lifetime, spending many years in Southern California riding and racing dirt bikes. Desert riding is a unique experience I think everyone should try at least once. But when the heat is on, I recommend heading somewhere cooler — and Mammoth fits the bill perfectly.

The Mammoth area boasts over 2,000 miles of trails, many of which are snowmobile routes. Once summer hits and the snow melts, these trails transform into prime territory for side-by-sides. They wind through valleys and mountains on both sides of Highway 395. Most routes are non-technical, so while you can bring dirt bikes, technical riders might lose interest within an hour or so.

One popular ride takes you to the top of Bald Mountain, home to a ranger fire station and a “warm-up hut” stocked with a visitor logbook and various odds and ends left behind over the years. The view from the top is incredible — you can see Lake Crowley to the south and Mono Lake to the north.

There’s also a trail that leads to June Lake, perfect if you want to relax by the water. It’s usually crowded, and you’ll need to weave through campgrounds to get there. Please be courteous — keep speeds under 5 mph, minimize dust, and avoid unnecessary noise. It only takes a few clowns to ruin access for everyone.

From Mammoth, the trail network stretches all the way north to Mono Lake and Lee Vining. If you’re planning longer rides, carry extra fuel and a good map. Physical maps used to be easy to find at campgrounds, but this year they were harder to come by. Luckily, you can still find them online. One of them is located here but there are many others.

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a695e1dbdeab4e8ba5c6ad4fd06a0ba0#zoom_to_selection=true

As for camping, there are countless primitive spots to pull off and set up. Many have bathrooms, but don’t expect electricity or running water. Keep your go pedal to a minimum — camp hosts and Forest Service rangers are quick to reprimand and, in some cases, hand out tickets to people who get out of line. Most are friendly, but I’ve run into a couple who weren’t, so it’s best to play it cool.

Overall, Mammoth is a fantastic place to escape the summer heat, camp under the stars, and explore miles of beautiful wilderness. Highly recommended!