Within a short drive of San Jose, CA, you’ll find some of the most diverse off-road terrain in the state. From steep mountain ridges to scenic dirt roads, the surrounding Alameda and San Joaquin Counties offer acres of OHV trails that attract backcountry enthusiasts year-round. Whether you’re shaking down a new build or looking for a weekend adventure, there’s no shortage of places to explore.
In this guide, we list the best off-road trails near San Jose, CA, highlighting terrain details, difficulty ratings, and other insider tips to help you plan your next ride.
Top Off-Road Trails Near San Jose, CA:
Before you hit the trails:
The right gear and a bit of prep are the best accessories any off-road enthusiast can carry.
Make sure your vehicle is properly equipped, check current trail conditions, and always follow local regulations to keep these areas open and enjoyable for everyone.
Check out our off-road safety guide for more info.
Best Off-Road Trails Near San Jose, CA:
Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area
- Location: Alameda and San Joaquin Counties
- Landmarks: Diablo Range and Corral Hollow Canyon
- Distance from San Jose, CA: ~50 miles (~1-hour drive)
- Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced
Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) is one of the top off-road destinations within driving distance of San Jose, CA. With over 1,300 acres of riding area and 80 miles of scenic trails, it’s known for rugged canyons, rolling hills, and panoramic views.
While the trails are for motorcycles and ATVs only, the park has a popular and spacious 4×4 area located at the east end, with an obstacle course featuring a rock crawl, frame twister, stair steps, and sand pit. You’ll find the 4×4 area east of the special event parking lot.
Carnegie State SVRA is a great spot for both beginners and experienced off-roaders alike to get familiar with the sport in a safe area or challenge themselves to a tough climb.
Frank Raines OHV Park
- Location: Stanislaus County
- Closest Town: Patterson, CA
- Landmarks: Diablo Range, 25 miles west of Patterson
- Distance from San Jose, CA: ~50 miles (~1-hour drive)
- Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced
Frank Ranes OHV Park is open to all off-highway vehicles, with over 860 acres and 20 miles of interconnected trails for dirt bikes, ATVS, 4×4 vehicles, and more. Tucked within the Diablo Range just 25 miles west of Patterson, you’ll find a mix of rugged hills, rutted trails, and rocky creek beds for all experience levels.
The terrain here is mostly steep, with lots of technical climbs that give experienced riders something to work for. For beginners, lower elevation trails near the creek have gentler routes for building confidence before tackling more challenging runs. Frank Raines OHV Park is open seasonally, with closures from June to October due to fire season.
Top Trails in Frank Raines OHV Park:
Below are some of the top trails to check out within Frank Raines OHV Park:
West Loop Trail
- Difficulty: Moderate (Blue Square)
- Terrain: Dirt Road, Hills
West Loop Trail is a moderately difficult Blue Square trail at Frank Raines OHV that connects Tip Over to West Trail. The trail winds through oak-covered hillsides with a mix of packed dirt, loose sections, and moderate elevation changes. Most of the route can be completed in 2WD, but some of the short hill climbs will require 4WD or AWD.
Like most off-road trails at Frank Raines, West Loop is open to all OHVs from sunrise to sunset, so expect to share the trail with dirt bikes, quads, and other off-highway vehicles.
Spider Trail
- Difficulty: Advanced (Black Diamond)
- Terrain: Dirt Road, Hills
Spider Trail at Frank Raines OHV is a challenging Black Diamond hill climb. With lots of rutted ground and loose dirt, it’s one of the most advanced trails in the park and recommended for experienced 4×4 drivers only.
After you’ve finished, you can either go back the way you came or continue on to Truck Hill or Matt’s Trail.
Truck Hill
- Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced (Black Diamond)
- Terrain: Dirt Road, Hills
Truck Hill is a moderately challenging trail at Frank Raines OHV with a Black Diamond Rating. While less extreme than Spider Trail, you’ll still find similar obstacles like ruts, steep hills, and loose dirt to thrill beginners and advanced drivers alike. With sprawling trees and panoramic hillside views, anyone with high clearance and 4WD will find the challenge and scenery well worth the drive.
Truck Hill connects to Spider Trail and Matt’s Hill, which are some other Black Diamond trails at Frank Raines OHV.
Hollister Hills SVRA
- Location: San Benito County
- Closest Town: Hollister, CA
- Landmarks: Casa de Fruta, 1891 Vineyard School House, Gabilan Mountains
- Distance from San Jose, CA: ~60 miles (~1-hour drive)
- Difficulty: Beginner to Advanced
Hollister Hills is a popular state vehicular recreation area that offers one of the largest and most challenging off-road experiences within driving distance of San Jose. Nestled in the Gabilan Mountains near Hollister, it has a 6,600-acre OHV park with over 150 miles of trails open to motorcycles, ATVs, 4×4 vehicles, and more.
From casual dirt roads to technical climbs, Hollister Hills has a trail for every skill level, with a terrain featuring open grasslands, rolling hills, and steep rocky paths. As a state-run park, Hollister Hills requires an OHV pass or day use fee for entry. Camping is available on-site, so it’s easy to turn a day trip from San Jose into a full weekend in the hills.
Top Trails in Hollister Hills SVRA:
Below are some of the top trails for off-roading at Hollister Hills SRVA:
Tank Trap
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Terrain: Dirt Road, Ravines
Tank Trap is one of the most notorious off-roading trails at Hollister Hills SVRA. Set in a narrow, rocky ravine surrounded by trees, this axle-twister has a unique mix of tight walls, off-camber angles, and unpredictable surface conditions that make it incredibly challenging, even for experienced drivers.
Tank Trap should only be attempted by advanced off-roaders with a properly outfitted rig, including proper gear and tires.
McCray Road
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Terrain: Dirt Road, Hills
McCray Road is one of the most popular trails in the Upper Ranch at Hollister Hills SVRA. It crisscrosses through rock crawling obstacles, steep climbs, and loose shale that demand full attention and a well-built rig from start to finish.
McCray Road has a mostly rocky terrain and winds toward the top of Hollister Hills, where the trail opens up to sweeping views that overlook the entire OHV area. It features narrow sections and tricky angles that make it perfect for advanced drivers looking for a challenge.
La Gloria Road
- Location: San Benito County
- Landmarks: Pinnacles National Park, Gabilan Mountain Range, Salinas Valley
- Distance from San Jose, CA: ~75 miles (~1.5-hour drive)
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Terrain: Dirt road
La Gloria Road is a graded dirt road in San Benito County, connecting the Salinas Valley and US-101 with SR-25. Stretching through the Gabilan Mountains for 11.4 miles, this one-vehicle route offers beginner-friendly driving with stunning views.
The terrain is well-maintained with dirt and mostly gradual, climbing to about 2,300 before leveling out through live oak groves, open meadows, and private ranch land. It’s the perfect easy-going trail for beginners and experts alike, who are looking for something that’s just as pretty to look at as it is fun to drive over.
While 4WD isn’t always required in dry conditions, the road can get muddy and slick during wetter seasons, so it’s always a good idea to use a properly outfitted rig and check weather conditions ahead of time.
Outfit Your Off-Road Vehicle at Campways in San Jose
Off-roading is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the outdoors, but only if you’re prepared. Understanding terrain-specific safety requirements and making sure your vehicle is properly outfitted makes the difference between an unforgettable ride and getting stranded in the backcountry.
If you’re preparing your off-road vehicle for your next trip, the team at Campway’s San Jose is here to help. From recovery gear to upgrades that enhance comfort and performance, we’re your one-stop shop for all things off-roading.
Explore our selection of car, truck, van, and SUV accessories online or stop by our San Jose location to browse our off-road products in person.
Campway’s San Jose:
Phone: (408) 453-1415
Address: 1324 Oakland Road, San Jose, CA, 95112
Hours: Mon – Fri 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
