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16 Best Oregon Off Road Trails

Oregon is known for its natural landscape with windswept dunes, elaborate forests, and beautiful rivers. If you’re searching for Oregon off road trails, they won’t be hard to find. Here, you’ll be able to experience various terrain and embark on incredible adventures.

Explore the trails in Tillamook Forest or enjoy the sandy Oregon Dunes. Off-road driving in Oregon is great for those who want to experience different terrain, since there are so many choices. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s a trail for you.

Our top 16 off road trails in Oregon are as follows:

  1. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
  2. Sand Lake Recreation Area
  3. Browns Camp OHV Trail
  4. La Dee Flats OHV Staging Area
  5. Shotgun OHV Trail System
  6. Cline Buttes OHV Area
  7. Diamond Mill OHV Staging Area
  8. North Barr Trailhead
  9. Barlow Trail
  10. Sand Lake Recreation Area
  11. Blue Mountain OHV Trail
  12. Morrow-Grant County 
  13. Bennett Pass Road 
  14. Noonday Trail
  15. Crooked Finger OHV Trails
  16. Rim Butte OHV Trail

Oregon is a bit stricter on off-road permits and regulations. All drivers must have an Oregon off road permit, including Jeeps, ATVs, and motorbikes. The permits are valid for two years but can carry over to other states, as long as they honor the Oregon permit. You will also need an ATV Safety Card. Once you’re all set, you’re ready to visit some of these off road Oregon trails.

16 Best Oregon Off Road Trails

Oregon Off-Road Trails

1. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area has over 40 miles of terrain to explore. Experience mostly sand and steep hills. There some very high dunes, with one, Banshee Hill, being 500 feet tall. This off-road park is just north of the Coos River, and all off-road vehicles are permitted.

There are ATV rentals in the area for guests who don’t have their own ride. Oregon Dunes is popular, but fortunately, the area is so big that you’ll have plenty of space. Race up hills with your friends or do some awesome jumps!

Oregon requires that all OHV must have flags when riding on the dunes. It must be 8 inches wide and 12 inches long. The color should be bright and visible, such as yellow or orange.

2. Sand Lake Recreation Area

Sand Lake Recreation Area covers 1,076 acres of sand dunes, and is surrounded by forests along the pacific ocean.

Off-road driving is very popular with many miles of dunes to explore. There are also year-round campground available.

It’s a great area to ride for beginners. Bring your family, and enjoy a fun-filled weekend.

3. Browns Camp OHV Trail

Browns Camp in Tillamook State Forest is a moderate loop trail that features a waterfall and beautiful views. It’s great for a holiday weekend where you can go camping and enjoy some of the amenities if offers.

Off-road vehicles for this trail include dirt bikes, quads, side by sides, and 4-wheel drives. Some riders like to go in the rain since it keeps the dust down.

4. La Dee Flats OHV Staging Area

Experience 35 miles of this beautiful forest with great views. Most of the trails are forest service trails with some challenging side routes.

The terrain is mostly hard-packed with some loose dirt. There is mud, steep hills, and water crossings. It’s rocky in some areas with some serious puddles, but fun and easy to navigate.

Dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and Jeeps are permitted in this area.

5. Shotgun OHV Trail System

This trail offers 34 miles of managed OHV routes. Enjoy the forested area with a mix of challenging terrain for the experienced rider. There is some loose dirt, mud, and many steep hills. Also, you’ll encounter some water crossings and many other obstacles.

The trail is open to dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and Jeeps, however, UTVs and Jeeps are not recommended in some areas.

See what it’s like to off-road in Shotgun Creek.

6. Cline Buttes OHV Area

This 15.3-mile trail near Redmond, Oregon, is a fun off-road place to get dusty, but make sure you bring extra water. It’s also a nice OHV camping area with rough terrain.

Enjoy this moderate trail with plenty of views of wildlife, and spend time with lots of people that like to wheel.

Cline Buttes Recreation Area Off-Road
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

7. Diamond Mill OHV Staging Area

This is a great trail for everyone, with both beginner and advanced areas to choose from. There are many steep hills, some muddy areas, and water crossings.

Cool off at the swimming hole, but it might be crowded on weekends.

It’s an all around good place to camp and ride for the weekend.

8. North Barr Trailhead

North Barr Trailhead is a great area to ride and spend the day with family and friends. There is a good variety of challenges, and the beautiful views of the Cascade Mountains are hard to beat.

The trail is open year-round, but the best time to go is from October to May, since the summer month can be quite dusty.

There are areas suitable for all skill levels. Practice your off-road skill on one of the OHV trails at the bottom, or head up to the ridges for a challenge.

North Barr Trailhead, Oregon, Off-Road Trail
Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

9. Barlow Trail

If you want a trail with a beautiful natural view, then experience Barlow Trail. It’s located south of Mt. Hood and has a beautiful, sandy campsite. It also has a nearby meadow worth checking out.

Barlow Trail is wildly popular for hiking and 4x4s, so expect many trucks and jeeps here. It’s generally a relatively easy trail, but the rain and mud can make it a bit harder. Some parts are tight and hard to pass by too.

The trail itself is quite rocky, so come prepared with spare tires!

10. Sand Lake Recreation Area

The second place to go for beach off-road driving is at Sand Lake Recreation Area, located along Oregon Coast between Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. It runs for 15 miles with three campgrounds. Though, you might need to reserve months in advance if you want to camp here.

Sand Lake is open all year, and the weather is nice overall. Summers are cool, and winters are just moderate. Services are limited, though, so best to be ready for that.

With 1,076 acres of land that overlooks the Pacific Ocean, this place is excellent for racing and shredding over tall dunes!

Similar to the Oregon Dunes, the flag is required on every vehicle. Night riding is not allowed, so no riding between 10 pm to 6 am. Rangers and officers would occasionally patrol the area, so don’t forget your off-road license and permit.

11. Blue Mountain OHV Trail

Right at the heart of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is a 50-mile off-road trail called Blue Mountain Trailhead. The ground is tightly packed, so the drive is relatively easy. There are three campgrounds here, and this is where you can access the trails. There are some fishing areas available as well, great for a weekend adventure with your friends.

This trail is only open for motorbikes and ATVs. Jeeps and 4x4s aren’t allowed here. You can get a mix of forests, grasslands, and a few streams along the trail.

12. Morrow-Grant County

Sitting on the border of Morrow and Grant, you get a vast 9,000-acre park available for all types of vehicles. It has a variety of loops, slopes, and hills. The area is so big that some even say that you can experience rain in one place and completely dry weather in another. There are on-site campgrounds, cabins, restaurants, and washing areas for your vehicles.

The difficulty of the terrain varies. Some parts are easy and can be done by beginners. Some tricky spots, such as rocky paths and steep slopes, are best for more experienced riders. A few of the trails aren’t as well defined and have some branches in the way, too.

13. Bennett Pass Road

Near Mt. Hood Meadows, there’s an 11-mile stretch of trail full of wildflowers and alpine forests. Bennett Pass is an excellent place for novice riders looking for an easy but scenic route. It’s best to go here during spring and summer as it fills up with snow quickly during winter. Though, you can still go here to ski if it’s earlier in winter.

This road regularly gets moderate traffic, so that that parking may be a bit difficult. While it is a simple path, some areas can be sketchy if you’re out during bad weather. Stock up on supplies before going here. It has a lot of campsites if you want an overnight trip.

14. Noonday Trail

On the hills east of Cottage Grove, Oregon, you will find the Noonday Trail. It has several switchbacks and steep climbs. While any vehicle is allowed, large four-wheelers aren’t recommended. The trail is just six miles, but it can last for hours because of the climb and narrow paths.

This is a rather challenging trail that can get a lot harder once the ground is wet. It is not the trail to ride if it’s your first time going off-road. Despite this, it’s well worth it when you get to the tip and see a beautiful view. You’ll encounter a lot of waterfalls on the way up, too.

Be careful on the way down because there are a lot of large rocks on the trail.

15. Crooked Finger OHV Trails

Near Camp Dakota, you can go ATV riding at Crooked Finger and its 12-mile trail. This 600-acre park also offers various recreational activities like zipline, high ropes, treasure hunting, and camping! There are several loops around it for off-road driving.

The trails here are known to be moderately challenging, so they may not be the best for first-time riders. Overall, it has many flat plains with just a couple of steep climbs, perfect for challenging yourself.

Only ATVs and dirt bikes are allowed here, though. UTV and Jeeps are strictly prohibited. The area is known to be quite flammable, so spark arrestors are required for all vehicles. Similarly, this trail can sometimes close during the fire season.

16. Rim Butte OHV Trails

For a truly challenging experience, head over to Rim Butte Trails. Located in Deschutes County, Rim Butte has 14 miles of tight paths, sharp rocks, and beautiful views. Be prepared before taking on this trail!

This path was designed to have minimal impact on nature, which is how these unique and challenging paths were made. The lava rocks that line it are all jagged and create an exhilarating ride.

Make sure you carry extra tires because there is a high chance that you’ll need it. It is also best to bring another person and pack water in case something happens along the way. The road is poorly defined, so navigation may be a bit difficult.

Conclusion – Oregon Off Road Trails

So, what are the 16 best off road trails in Oregon? To summarize, here they are again:

  1. Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
  2. Sand Lake Recreation Area
  3. Browns Camp OHV Trail
  4. La Dee Flats OHV Staging Area
  5. Shotgun OHV Trail System
  6. Cline Buttes OHV Area
  7. Diamond Mill OHV Staging Area
  8. North Barr Trailhead
  9. Barlow Trail
  10. Sand Lake Recreation Area
  11. Blue Mountain OHV Trail
  12. Morrow-Grant County 
  13. Bennett Pass Road 
  14. Noonday Trail
  15. Crooked Finger OHV Trails
  16. Rim Butte OHV Trail

Oregon has a lot of natural wonders and attractions. You can experience a lot of different trails here from sand to mountains. On top of that, each ride rewards you with an amazing scenic view every time!

Remember that you need to have an Oregon off road license, so have your permits and stickers ready. Some areas have a patrol to check your requirements, so be prepared.