Rubicon OHV Trail is a 30.1 kilometer heavily trafficked point-to-point trail located near Pollock Pines, California that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

Length30.1 kmElevation gain647 mRoute typePoint to point
dog friendlyNature tripsScenic drivingohv / off road drivingForestLakeViews
Description
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Perhaps the best known and most popular 4x4 trail in the world. A rare combination of difficulty, beauty, length and pure rock-crawling pleasure. Great camping next to crystal-clear lakes with stunning views. Most people drive the trail in the direction described here, but it can be driven in both directions. The trail reaches elevations above 7,000 feet and is partially snow covered in the winter. However, only the Granite Bowl is officially closed to vehicular travel at that time. From a practical standpoint, however, the trail is for summer use. A mix of granite slabs, soft dirt, sharp rocks and large boulders that require precise maneuvering to avoid body damage. Several extreme sections can be bypassed but many very rough sections cannot. Cadillac Hill is very steep, tippy and potentially dangerous. During wet periods, one water crossing can be very deep and muddy. Extremely dusty with tight brush in places. With an expert spotter, you might get a stock, high clearance, short-wheel based 4WD vehicle through without body damage, but the average driver should not try it. Best done in a modified vehicle with ample body protection and lockers. Travel with a group.

To avoid driving trail during the busy Jeep Jamboree, usually held in August, go to jeepjamboreeusa.com/trips.cfm for dates. The Rubicon Trail is in the Eldorado National Forest, Pacific and Georgetown Rangers Districts. Call 530-333-4312 for information.

This trail receives extremely heavy use and is under constant scrutiny by environmental groups. Make sure you stay on designated routes at all times, follow "Tread-Lightly" guidelines, pack out your trash and use low-impact camping techniques. Presently, the trail has inadequate toilet facilities. Disposal of solid human waste and toilet paper is a major concern. Please bring plastic bags to clean up after yourself just like you would for your dog in a public park. If possible, bring a porta-potty. Make sure you have permits and applicable licenses for fishing and hunting. A permit is also required to hike or camp in the Desolation Wilderness. (Day-use permit is free.)

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Reviews (86)
Photos (113)
Recordings (74)
Completed (132)
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Matthew Neff
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarAugust 18, 2020
Off Road DrivingGreat!Rocky

Iconic trail, great drive and a blast. I would not recommend it if you are less then 33s with lockers, and armor. unless you do not mind spending a ton of time stacking rocks or body damage.

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Nathan Good
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarGray StarGray StarGray StarGray StarAugust 17, 2020
Hiking
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Eric Hamer
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarAugust 4, 2020
Mountain bikingGreat!Rocky

Riding from Loon Lake on eMTBs. That trail is a bear even with the torque assist on an eMTB! We rode to the Big Sluice and back. It was super fun talking to drivers and spotters and learning how they navigate the trail. What a beautiful sunny day. My favorite part was riding the huge open granite slabs.

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Lisa Mendes
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarGray StarGray StarJune 22, 2020
Off Road DrivingBugs

Easy trail. My `88 toyota did the whole thing with no problems. All stock!

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Sam Hendryx
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarJune 20, 2020
Hiking

What a trail! I've been here multiple times. It's ultra difficult, but doable with a lifted rig and at least 31 in tires. 33 in + and a locker is recommended. Plan on staying the night if you are planning on going all the way through. Average speed is about 2-3 miles an hour. THERE IS NO CELL RECEPTION FOR 99% OF THE TRAIL.

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Paul Gutierrez
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarJune 19, 2020
Off Road DrivingBugsGreat!Rocky

95 Yota 4Runner dual t's on 37s /5:29 gearing. Used my sliders once. I love this place ! Mosquitoes are going to bite you and is probably the only not soo cool part of my trip. Have to do it again before this years pandemic wheeling season comes to an end.

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Alex Mousavi
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarJune 7, 2020
Off Road DrivingRocky
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Anthony Estonilo
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarSeptember 23, 2019
Off Road Driving

Fantastic!!!! Never a dull moment!!

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Kyle Streeter
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarGray StarGray StarSeptember 22, 2019
Off Road Driving

Taylor and Jeff, Jeff got a flat

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Kyle Streeter
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarGray StarGray StarSeptember 21, 2019

Wes , Taylor , Jeff , Scott . Awesome day

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Anthony Estonilo
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarSeptember 21, 2019
Off Road Driving

Fantastic!!!!!

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Alex Klim
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarSeptember 17, 2019

nice trail for modified Jeep's/trucks. awesome views and people on the trail

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Keith Heiney
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarAugust 26, 2019
Off Road DrivingRocky

great trail. made it through no problems in my YJ 35s locked. it is very long.

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Justin Kniesel
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarAugust 22, 2019
Off Road DrivingRocky
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Alex Mousavi
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarJuly 17, 2019
Off Road DrivingRocky
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Curtis Snyder
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarGray StarGray StarJune 8, 2019
Off Road DrivingRocky
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Jim Bukewihge
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarGray StarGray StarDecember 9, 2018

A must.

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Mike Williams
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarNovember 9, 2018
Off Road Driving

37” tires 5”lift sliders. Used it all That trail doesn’t disappoint hard-core

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Timothy Dowd
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarOctober 29, 2018

This is a beautiful trail . Have been running it since the late 70s . Three times this year , most recently with my Daughter. It changes each year, some years worse than others. if your rig is sound you can do it in a day . But it should be done in a minimum of 4 days to really enjoy the area . Should plan on staying at buck for 2 days , hike the waterfall for a beautiful reward.

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Julian Smallwood
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarSeptember 24, 2018

You cannot do this trail in a stock jeep without lots of careful wheel placement, lockers, rock stacking and even then there are large portions of the trail that a stock JK or JL couldn’t do with out body damage or mechanical damage. It’s a super cool trail with lots of traffic during events. With heavy traffic it can easily take you 8hrs to drive from loon lake to rubicon springs and back.

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Matthew Gilbert
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarAugust 30, 2018
Off Road Driving

This was a bucket list trail for me. I went with Modern Jeeper Adventures (Metalcloak) and Jeepers Jamboree. It was an amazing experience. Rock rails and skid plates are a must. THey will be used.

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Aaron Wheeler
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarAugust 17, 2018

over the years it's got a little easier, there's still points that are challenging even with more advance drivers and built rigs. 33" tires can do the trail with a good spotter 35" tires and a locker would be advisable. great trail AMAZING views.

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Austin Trudeau
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarJuly 18, 2018
Off Road Driving

An amazing trail with several fun crawling spot and extremely beautiful

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Brent Pfitzer
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarJune 3, 2018

Amazing

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Andi Oldner
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarJune 1, 2018
Horseback riding

I have ridden my horse on the trail. No problem and a whole lot faster than driving.

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Loretta Grantham
Yellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarYellow StarOctober 30, 2017
Horseback riding

Question: is this trail horse friendly?

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