California

The Chemung Mine located just outside of Bridgeport, CA is just one of many great California 4x4 Trails.  Photograph by James L Rathbun
The Chemung Mine located just outside of Bridgeport, CA is just one of many great California 4×4 Trails. Photograph by James L Rathbun

California offers some great history and 4×4 destinations. The state boasts a history going back over 10,000 years with the Native Americans and was discovered by the Europeans in 1542. Since then, the state has seen dramatic population explosions and financial booms with the discovery of gold at Sutters Mill in 1848. California 4×4 trails allow the explorer an opportunity to see history and some outstanding landscapes. The great photographer Ansel Adams made his home here.

Zabriskie Point bathed in warm afternoon light in Death Valley National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun
Zabriskie Point bathed in warm afternoon light in Death Valley National Park – Photo by James L Rathbun

The southern half of California is mostly an arid land, while the central and eastern sections of the state feature some of the best mountain ranges in the world. The High Sierra range dissects the state down the middle and features Mt. Whitney at over 14,000 feet in elevation. Ever diverse, just about 120 miles away to the east, Death Valley features the second lowest elevation on Earth. The high peaks of the White Mountains host the oldest living tree, the Bristle Cone pine tree, and the coastal forests and western slopes of the High Sierra feature the worlds largest Redwood trees.

A Bristlecone Pine (not the oldest) located in the White Mountains, CA - Photo by James L Rathbun
A Bristlecone Pine (not the oldest) located in the White Mountains, CA – Photo by James L Rathbun

The western side of the state, features the higher population growth areas and the Golden State coastal landscapes are world famous for good reason. California is a large state with diverse landscapes, weather, people, culture and history.

The Merced River flowing through Yosemite Valley. - Photo by James L Rathbun
The Merced River flowing through Yosemite Valley. – Photo by James L Rathbun

All campfires and gas stove fires on public lands in California require a California Camp Fire permit which is free and available online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/

California Destinations and 4×4 Trails

California 4×4 Trails

California Desert Tortoise emerging from a hiding place...

Achy-Breaky

Achy-Breaky is a very difficult, trail which circumnavigates Watkins Peak in San Bernardino County, California. This trail is one of many on the Stoddard Wells…
Looking down on the Alabama Hills and Owens Valley from Whitney Portal

Alabama Hills

Located near Lone Pine, CA the Alabama Hills are an awesome spot to visit and explore in Inyo County.  Large boulder formations erupt from the…
Aurora, NV Photograph by James L Rathbun

Aurora Nevada – Mineral County Ghost Town

Aurora, Nevada is a ghost town in Mineral County about twenty eight miles southwest of Hawthorne, near the California border. Aurora is often mentioned as…
Camp Osito Road - 2N17 - Trailhead from Knickerbocker Road near Big Bear, California

Camp Osito Road – 2N17

Camp Osito Road is a back country 4x4 trail which connects Knickerbocker Road to Skyline Drive in Big Bear, California. The seldom travelled road is…
Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.

Cerro Gordo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Located in the Inyo Mountains on the eastern side of Owens Valley, Cerro Gordo California is a currently a ghost town after almost 100 years…
Crowells Mill under construction in Chloride City, CA about 1915

Chloride City California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Chloride City California is located within Death Valley National Park and Inyo County, California. The town arose out of silver discoveries in nearby Chloride Cliff…
Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive.

Clarks Grade 1N54

Clarks Grade 1N54 Trail Head dropping down into Barton Flats from Skyline Drive. Clarks Grade 1N54 is a steep and scenic descent from the top…
Cleghorn located outside of Big Bear, CA

Cleghorn Ridge 2N47

Cleghorn located outside of Big Bear, CA Cleghorn Ridge is a 4x4 trail which leads from the I-15 at the Cleghorn exit to Silverlake State…
Dishpan Springs, Big Bear, CA

Dish Pan Springs 3N34

Also known as the Deep Creek Trail, Dish Pan Springs offers a short but hardcore trail in Big Bear. Dishpan springs trail contains large boulders…
William Lewis Manly (April 6, 1820 – February 5, 1903)

Fish Canyon Escape Trail

William Lewis Manly (April 6, 1820 – February 5, 1903) The Fish Canyon Escape Trail is a route discovered by William Manly as an escape…
The cabin at the Belleville California townsite is not original but moved to the location to represent the style of the structures of the town.

Gold Fever Off Road Trail

The Gold Fever Off Road Trail is a back country drive by some historical sites in Holcomb Valley, in the San Bernardino Mountains. The trail…

Gold Mountain 3N69

Gold Mountain Trail Head The Gold Mountain 3N69 Trail can be found in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake. The favored direction…
Barker Ranch - The building complex was heavily vegetated with trees, with a sparsely planted understory. Note the Manson bus in the left hand side of the image. View northwest, 1969 (DEVA collection). - NPS

Goler Wash and Mengel Pass

Goler Wash and Mengel Pass over a route into Butte Valley from Panamint Valley. Although not technically in Death Valley, this trail is consider part…
Henry Wade Escape Route Monument located on Highway 127

Henry Wade Escape Route

The Henry Wade Escape Route is an easy 4x4 trail suitable for almost any vehicle and connects highway 127 to Badwater Road. The route is…

Holcomb Valley Road 3N14

Holcomb Valley Road 3N14 takes you through scenic Holcomb Valley Holcomb Valley Road 3N14, is a main artery in the road system above and behind…
The Lost Burrow Mine is located off Hunter Mountain Road in Death Valley National Park, CA

Hunter Mountain Road

Hunter Mountain Road is a lightly used moderately difficult road which delivers you to one of the most remote and beautiful parts of Death Valley…

Jacoby Canyon 3N61

Jacoby Canyon 3N61 Trail head Jacoby Canyon 3N61 is a trail which can be found in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear Lake.…

John Bull Trail 3N10

The John Bull Trail 3N10 has the solid reputation as one of the toughest and most challenging trails in the Big Bear mountains of San Bernardino…
Big Bear Lake viewed from Knickerbocker Road.

Knickerbocker Road – 2N08

Knickerbocker Road - 2N08 is a steep and beautiful drive from near the town of Big Bear, California to Skyline Drive. The route is a…
These mine cart rails are a little small to pull the amount of gold claimed to be here.

Kokoweef Mine

The Kokoweef Mine and in fact all of the trails and mines located in the Ivanpah / Mountain Pass area represent exactly why I started…
Lippencott Mine Road from Racetrack Valley, Death Valley National Park, CA

Lippincott Mine Road

The Lippincott Mine Road is a one way trail from Death Valley's Racetrack Playa to Saline Valley. It is a steep trail which is not…
The cabin found at the Lost Burrow Mine is in good shape.

Lost Burro Mine

Founded in 1907 when Bert Shively picked up a rock to throw at some stray burros and discovered gold, the Lost burro Mine is a…
Mill site from the middle section of Masonic, California. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Masonic California – Mono County Ghost Town

Originally known as Lorena, Masonic California is a ghost town located in the mountains north east of Bridgeport, California.  Masonic was founded in 1860 by…
A horizontal shaft in the Ivanpah Mountains.

Morning Star Mine

Located in the Ivanpah Mountains, the Morning Star Mine is a gold / silver mine located near to California / Nevada border near Mountain Pass.…
Government Holes in the central section of the Old Mojave Road.

Old Mojave Road

The Old Mojave Road (Government Road) is an east-west route that enters the Mojave National Preserve off the highway 95 in Nevada, and Afton Canyon…
The Told Spanish Trail BLM Sign

Old Spanish Trail

The Old Spanish Trail was a historic trade route that linked Santa Fe, New Mexico to Los Angeles, California. The trail was established in the…
The Racing stones.

Racetrack Valley

TeaKettle Junction lets you know you are starting to get close to the Racetrack. Racetrack valley is a rough graded road which departs the Ubehebe…
Silver Star Mine Cabin - Photo by James L Rathbun

Silver Star Mine

The Silver Star Mine is a small mine site located off of the Zinc Mountain Road in San Bernardino County, California.
Skidoo, CA 1907

Skidoo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Skidoo California was famous in the first decade of the 20th century when gold had been found in Inyo County and the town established in…
Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California

Skyline Drive 2N10

Skyline Drive 2N10 offers higher elevation views of Big Bear, California Skyline Drive 2N10 is the unofficial name for USFS Road 2N10 that begins just…

Snow Slide Trail 2N13

Snow Slide Trail (2N13) connects Green Valley Lake to Fawnskin, in San Bernardino, California. The Green Valley Lake trail head is located by the campground…

Sugarpine Mountain 2N49

Sugarpine Mountain trail is moderately difficult and starts at the edge of San Bernardino and finishes in the Silverlake State Park.  The trail is designated…
Titus Canyon, a narrow canyon drive in Death Valley National Park, CA

Titus Canyon

Titus Canyon has it all, rugged mountains, colorful rock formations, a small ghost town, mines, petroglyphs, wildlife, rare plants and spectacular canyon narrows as a…
Ubehebe Mine with tramway visible at the top of the hill, Death Valley, CA

Ubehebe Lead Mine

The Ubehebe Lead Mine is located just west of the Racetrack Playa Road off of the Bonnie Claire Road.  Discovered in 1906, the mine is…
Looking down at the Lippencott Mine Road from the Lippencott Mine, with Saline Valley in the distance.

Warm Springs Road

A short side trip from the Saline Valley Road to the Saline Valley Warm Springs in Death Valley National Park, California. The road is used…

White Mountain Road

Locathed in Inyo County, the White Mountain Road is a high altitude road that travels north from Highway 168 out of Big Pine and into…
White Top Mountain Road view from the Lost Burrow Mine Road, Death Valley, CA

White Top Mountain

White Top Mountain road is located off of Hunter Mountain Road, in Death Valley National Park, California. A hilly and mountainous road connecting the Hidden…

Willow Creek Road 3N34

Willow Creek road is an easy gentle ride located near Big Bear, California. The easy trail runs from Hooks Creek Road to Highway 173 and…

California Ghosttowns

Atolia and mine in the Mojave Desert, circa 1908 postcard.

Atolia California – San Bernardino County Ghost Town

Atolia is a ghost town and tungsten mine located in the Mojave Desert in northwestern San Bernardino County, California. The town is located just off…
Aurora, NV Photograph by James L Rathbun

Aurora Nevada – Mineral County Ghost Town

Aurora, Nevada is a ghost town in Mineral County about twenty eight miles southwest of Hawthorne, near the California border. Aurora is often mentioned as…
Ballarat, California - Marriedtofilm at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by Malafaya using CommonsHelper.

Ballarat California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Ballarat, California Located in Inyo County, Ballarat California is a ghost town which supposedly has a few residents living their dream within the town. Ballarat…
The Standard Mill, Bodie, CA. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Bodie and Aurora rivalry continues to this day

Two towns located in the hills above Mono Lake maintain, the Bodie and Aurora rivalry continues even now, long past their demise.  Bodie, CA and…
The Standard Mill, Bodie, CA. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Bodie California – Mono County Ghost Town

Bodie, California is the ghost town by which all others are judged.  Located at 8300 in the Bodie Hills above Mono Lake, Bodie is the…
Calico California

Calico California – San Bernardino Count Ghost Town

Calico California is a ghost town located just outside of Barstow in Mojave desert of San Bernardino, California. The town began its like in 1881…
Cerro Gordo overlooking the then full Owens Lake.

Cerro Gordo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Located in the Inyo Mountains on the eastern side of Owens Valley, Cerro Gordo California is a currently a ghost town after almost 100 years…
Crowells Mill under construction in Chloride City, CA about 1915

Chloride City California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Chloride City California is located within Death Valley National Park and Inyo County, California. The town arose out of silver discoveries in nearby Chloride Cliff…

Darwin California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Darwin is a unincorporated community, gold mining town and ghost town located in Inyo County, California about 22 miles from Keeler. The town was named…

Doble California – San Bernardino Ghost Town

Doble California is a gold mining town and ghost town which is located off the western shore of Lake Baldwin in San Bernardino, California. The…
Goffs, CA

Goffs California – San Bernardino County Ghost Town

Originally known as Blake, Goffs, California is a small unincorporated community located off of Route 66 in the Mojave desert near the Piute Mountains.  Originally…
Greenwater Mining District, CA 1906

Greenwater California – Inyo County Ghost Town

In 1904, a copper strike near Greenwater Spring and ensuing rush to profit caused the formation of Greenwater in Inyo County, California. Originally known by…
Cashier Mill ruin and Pete Aguereberry, 1916. From Dane Coolidge Collection,

Harrisburg California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Harrisburg California is a ghost town is located at 4987 feet above sea level in Inyo County and currently part of Death Valley National Park.…
[Circa 1905] Tumco Historic Mining Town, California - Hedges California

Hedges California – Imperial County Ghost Town

Previously known as Tumco, Hedges California is a ghost town and former mining town located in Imperial County, California along the Tumco Wash in the…
Ivanpah - Bidwell Mill

Ivanpah California – San Bernardino County Ghost Town

Not of be confused with two others sites of the same name, Ivanpah is a ghost town and mine site located along the Eastern edge…
Leadfield Sign, Death Valley, California

Leadfield California – A Death Valley Ghost Town

Leadfield California is a ghost town located in Inyo County and Death Valley National Park and found on the Titus Canyon Trail. The town boom…
Mill site from the middle section of Masonic, California. Photograph by James L Rathbun

Masonic California – Mono County Ghost Town

Originally known as Lorena, Masonic California is a ghost town located in the mountains north east of Bridgeport, California.  Masonic was founded in 1860 by…
Panamint City Stamp Mill

Panamint City California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Panamint City California - 1875 Panamint City California is a ghost town and silver mine site located in Inyo County. The town site was built…
Potholes California is a Colorado River Steamship landing.

Potholes California – Colorado River Steamship Landing

Potholes is a former gold mining camp and ghost town located in Imperial County, California.
Photograph of the "Baby Gauge" (aka "Baby Gage") mine train at the mining camp of Ryan, Death Valley, ca.1900-1950. A car with one headlight can be seen at center on tracks pulling a platform with four benches upon it. Someone can be seen driving the car, while four men and women sit on the benches. A small wooden shack with a portion of the roof missing can be seen behind the platform, while a ladder, wooden planks, and more tracks are visible at left. A valley and mountains can be seen in the background. - “University of Southern California. Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library.

Ryan California

Ryan, California, is a small unincorporated community located in the southeastern region of San Bernardino County, California. The town is located in the Greenwater Range…
Skidoo, CA 1907

Skidoo California – Inyo County Ghost Town

Skidoo California was famous in the first decade of the 20th century when gold had been found in Inyo County and the town established in…
A metal headframe marks a vertical shaft in the mining district outside of Vanderbilt California.

Vanderbilt California – San Bernardino County Ghost Town

A metal headframe marks a vertical shaft in the mining district outside of Vanderbilt California. Located in the New York Mountains, Vanderbilt California was an…

 

California Campgrounds

Afton Canyon Campground, Mojave, CA

Afton Canyon Campground

The Afton Canyon Campground offer amazing access and camping for the Old Mojave Road, surroundings areas of the Mojave. The dry, desert campground is found…
Looking down on the Alabama Hills and Owens Valley from Whitney Portal

Alabama Hills

Located near Lone Pine, CA the Alabama Hills are an awesome spot to visit and explore in Inyo County.  Large boulder formations erupt from the…

Anza Borrego State Park Campground

Anza Borrego State Park Campground, located in southern California, is the largest state park in California, encompassing over 600,000 acres of desert wilderness. The park…

Belle Campground

Belle Campground in Joshua Tree National Park Belle Campground is a small campground with 18 campsites located in Joshua Tree National Park in California. Joshua…

Black Rock Canyon Campground

Black Rock Canyon Campground Black Rock Canyon Campground is a large campground with 99 campsites located in the northwest corner of the Joshua Tree National…

Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is a popular camping destination located within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Southern California. The park is the largest state…
Our campsite from a distance in Caruthers Canyon

Camp Phallus – New York Mountains

Located in Caruther's Canyons of the New York Mountains, Camp Phallus is named for a "unique" rock formation visible from the campsite. The campsite offers…

Chilao Campground

Chilao Campground is a popular camping destination located in the Angeles National Forest, in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. The campground is situated…
Coldwater Campground, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California

Coldwater Campground

Coldwater Campground is a campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake Mary is the largest and…
A deer walking the road into Convict Lake Campground - Photo by James L Rathbun

Convict Lake Campground

Convict Lake Campground is a wonderful location to camp in the amazing High Sierra Mountain near Convict Lake in Mono County, California. The campground is…

Cottonwood Campground

The Cottonwood Campground is campground located in Joshua Tree National Park in San Bernardino, California. Reservations are required only during the busy season from September…

Culp Valley Primitive Campground

Culp Valley Primitive Campground is a campground located in Anza Borrego State Park in San Diego County, California. Anza Borrego is a part of the…
Death Valley National Park

Emigrant Campground

Emigrant Campground is a tent only campground located next to CA Route 190 near the boundary of Death Valley National Park, California. The campgrounds is…
Death Valley National Park

Eureka Dunes Dry Camp

Eureka Dunes Campground is near a small localize sand dunes formation with Death Valley National Monument. Eureka Dunes Dry Camp is located next to the…
French Camp Campground is located along Rock Creek in the Inyo National Forest

French Camp Campground

Camping in the High Sierras is not as easy as it once was, however this fact offers one the ability to explore and remove oneself…

Furnace Creek Campground

Furnace Creek Campground is located at -200 below sea level in Death Valley National Park, California. The campground is the most popular in the Death…
Grant Lake Campground, June Lake Loop, Mono County, California

Grant Lake Campground

Grant Lake Campground, June Lake Loop, Mono County, California Grant Lake Campground and marina is the northern most campground of the June Lake Loop located…
Gull Lake Camground overlooks the northern most lake on the June Lake Loop.

Gull Lake Campground

Gull Lake Campground is a small, shaded and private campground in the June Lake Loop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Gull lake is just over…

Hanna Flats Campground

Hanna Flats Campground is located near Big Bear Lake is located in the San Bernardino mountains of California about 90 miles east of Los Angeles in southern…

Hidden Valley Campground

Hidden Valley Campground is location on Joshua Tree National Park The Hidden Valley Campground is an established year round campground location in Joshua Tree National…
Holcomb Valley Campground is located in a lush pine forest in Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino Mountains, California

Holcomb Valley Campground

Holcomb Valley Campground features 19 single-family campsites and is located along 3N16 in Holcomb Valley, just outside 0f Big Bear, in San Bernardino County, California.…

Holcomb Valley Ranch

Holcomb Valley Ranch is a historic region located in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, United States. It has a rich history that dates…
A slot canyon begins to form towards the end of the Ring Trail, Mojave National Preserve.

Hole in the Wall Campground

Hole in the Wall campground is found deep in the Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California. The Campground is a popular location for…
Homestake, Death Valley

Homestake Dry Camp

Homestake Dry Camp - A primative campsite at Racetrack Valley The Homestake Dry camp is a primitive campground located in Racetrack valley inside Death Valley…

Indian Cove Campground

Indian Cove Campground in Joshua Tree National Park Indian Cove Campground is a campground located in Joshua Tree National Park in San Bernardino county, California.…

Jumbo Rocks Campground

Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park Perhaps one of the more popular campgrounds in Joshua Tree National Park, Jumbo Rocks Campgronds is located…

June Lake Campground

June Lake Campground is nestled next to June Lake In the Sierra Nevada of California and the scenery of the Ansel Adams Wilderness. The Campground…
Lake George Campgrond, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California

Lake George Campground

Lake George Campground is a beautiful campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area, above Lake Mary in the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake…
Lake Mary Campground, Mammoth Lakes, Mono County, California

Lake Mary Campground

Lake Mary Campground is a beautiful campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the High Sierra in Mono County, California. Lake Mary is the…

Lone Pine Campground

Lone Pine Campground is a wonderful campground in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in Inyo County, California. The campground is located…
Death Valley National Park

Mahogany Flat Campground

Mahogany Flat Campground lies at 8,200 feet in the Panamint Mountain Range in Death Valley National Parl. The campground provides access to hiking and backpacking,…

Mesquite Springs Campground

Mesquite Springs Campground located near Scotty's Castle in Death Valley Mesquite Springs is a campground in Death Valley National Park, Located just a few short…
Mid Hills Campsite in the Mojave National Preserve March 2018 after a rainstorm.

Mid Hills Campground, Mojave National Preserve

Located in deep in the heart of the Mojave National Preserve there is an abundance of campsites to suit everyone.  The Mid Hills campground was…

Monte Cristo Campground

Monte Cristo Campground is a serene camping destination located in the Angeles National Forest, just outside of Los Angeles, in the San Gabriel Mountains of…

Oh! Ridge Campground

Oh! Ridge Campground is the first campground in the June Lake Loop located in the Eastern High Sierra in Mono County, California. The campgrounds is…

Rock Creek Lake Campground

Rock Creek Lake Campground, located in Mono County, California, is a picturesque alpine lake set amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Eastern Sierra Nevada. At…

Ryan Campground

Ryan Campground in Joshua Tree National Park Ryan Campground is a campground located in Joshua Tree National Park in San Bernardino, California and hosts 31…
Big Bear Lake covered in snow. Photo by James L Rathbun

Serrano Campground

Serrano Campground is a campground with 108 campsites located near Big Bear Lake in San Bernardino, California. the campground is located just across the highway…

Sheep Pass Campground

Sheep Pass Group Campground is a group campground located in towards the center Joshua Tree National Park in California. The campground features six group campsites…
Silver Lake Campground, June Lake Loop, Mono County, California

Silver Lake Campground

Silver Lake Campground, June Lake Loop, Mono County, California Silver Lake Campground is nestled next to Silver Lake In the Sierra Nevada of California and…
Sand dunes near Stovepipe Wells in Death Valley National Park

Stovepipe Wells

Stovepipe Wells Campgound is located in Stovepipe wells just off the 190 highway in Death Valley National Park. Located about 25 miles away from Furnace…
Sunset Campground located in Furnace Creek, Death Valley National Park. Photo by Heather Rathbun

Sunset Campground

Sunset Campground is another large, flat parking lot campground primary for RV camping located near Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park, California. The Campground…

Table Mountain Campground

Table Mountain Campground is situated in the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. The campground is surrounded by a beautiful and serene forest environment,…

Tamarisk Grove Campground

Tamarisk Grove Campground is a popular camping destination located in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California. The campground is situated in the heart of the park,…
Death Valley National Park

Texas Springs Campground

Texas Springs Campground is another large campground, primarilyy for RV and trailer camping within Death Valley National Park. The campground a mile of the Furnace…
Death Valley National Park

Thorndike Campground

Thorndike campground is located at 7,400 feet in the Panamint Mountains in Death Valley National Park. The campground is accessible to high clearance vehicles only…

Tuttle Creek Campground

Tuttle Creek Campground is a small campground located on the eastern Sierras near Lone Pine, in Inyo County, California. The campground is located just below…
Twin Lakes, Mammoth Lakes, California. Photo by Paul Wight

Twin Lakes Campground

Twin Lakes Campground is a beautiful campground located in the Mammoth Lakes area of the High Sierra in Mono County, California. The campground offers views…

White Tank Campground

White Tank Campground is a campground in Joshua Tree National Park and located off Pinto Basin Road in the northern section of the park. White…
Mt Whitney looms large over the High Sierra, outside of Lone Pine, California - Photo by James L Rathbun

Whitney Portal Campground

Whitney Portal Campground is the campground in the foothills of the High Sierra, and serves as the gateway for many hikers up Mount Whitney in…
Death Valley National Park

Wildrose Campground

Wildrose Campground is located at 4100 feet above sea level in the Paramint Mountains within Death Valley National Park. This semi-primative campground is located off…

Yaqui Wash Primative Campground

Yaqui Wash Primative Campground is a dispersed camping area located within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California's largest state park. Nestled in the Colorado Desert, this…

Important: if you want to have a campfire in California, you need a Campfire permit. http://permit.preventwildfiresca.org/

California Birds

A list of articles from Destination4x4 from our Resources, Birds category which may be found in the great state of California.

An American Robin ( Turdus migratorius ) pearched high in the branches of a pine tree.

American Robin ( Turdus migratorius )

The American Robin (Turdus migratorius), a member of the thrush family is a migratory songbird commonly found across North America. Recognized for its bright orange-red…
Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) - Photo by James L Rathbun

Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

A member of the cuckoo family, the long legged Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is an icon of the desert southwest in part to the artistic…
Northern Flicker nesting in the cedar siding of a Big Bear mountain cabin.

Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)

The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is a medium-sized woodpecker found across North America. It belongs to the family Picidae, which includes woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and flickers.…
Raven ( Corvus corax ) sitting on a coral fence at the Grand Canyon Western Ranch.

Raven ( Corvus corax )

The Raven ( Corvus corax ) is one of eight subspecies of Ravens distributed throughout the world. Also known as western or northern raven, this large black…
Stellars Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri )

Stellars Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri )

The Stellars Jay ( Cyanocitta stelleri ) is a common character found in the forests of the western half of the United States. The bird…
The fast flying White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)

White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis)

The fast flying White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) The White-throated Swift is a medium-sized bird known for its swift and agile flight, sleek body, and distinctive…

California Mammals

Black Tailed Jackrabbit enjoying the shade of a Joshua Tree

Black Tailed Jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus )

Black Tailed Jackrabbit enjoying the shade of a Joshua Tree. The Black Tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) commonly known as the American Desert Hare makes its…
Coyote (Canis latrans) enduring a snow storm in Joshua Tree National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun

Coyote (Canis latrans)

Coyote (Canis latrans) enduring a snow storm in Joshua Tree National Park - Photo by James L Rathbun A symbol of the American Southwest, the…
Two well fed mustangs near Cold Creek, Nevada

Mustang (Equus ferus caballus)

A lone mustang is the symbol of wild, power and freedom Left behind by Spanish explorers and settlers, the Mustang ( Equus ferus caballus )…
A solitary Pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) found near Golbin Valley, Utah - Photo by James L Rathbun

Pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana )

Commonly known as an antelope, the Pronghorn is an even toed or hoofed mammal found in the plains of the western United States of America.
Western Gray Squirrel  (Sciurus griseus) enjoying a peanut in the San Bernardino Mountains, California

Western Gray Squirrel  (Sciurus griseus)

The Western Gray Squirrel (Sciurus griseus) is a tree squirrel species native to the western United States. Known for its striking appearance and arboreal lifestyle,…
Wild Burrow photographed in Beatty, Nevada - Photo by James L Rathbun

Wild Burrow ( Equus africanus asinus )

Scattered across the south west scattered small populations of Wild Burrow ( Equus africanus asinus ) thrive in the harsh landscape. The burrow is also…

California Reptiles

Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)

Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)

Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos) Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), also known as the "horny toad", is a common North American reptile and found throughout…
California Desert Tortoise emerging from a hiding place...

Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii)

One of  the more unique and quite frankly cool animals found in the Mojave Desert is the Desert Tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii ).  My family…
The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus helleri) hiding under a granite boulder in Bid Bear, California.

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus helleri)

Crotalus helleri is a venomous pit viper species commonly known as the Southern Pacific rattlesnake. It is part of the family Viperidae, which includes venomous…
Juvenile Speckled Rattle Snake found in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada - Photo by James L Rathbun

Speckled Rattlesnake ( Crotalus mitchellii )

The Speckled Rattlesnake is fairly common pit viper found in southern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona and south-western Utah and down the Pacific coast into…
Western Fence Lizard - Photo by James L Rathbun

Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis )

The Western Fence Lizard ( Sceloporus occidentalis ) is perhaps one of the most common lizards in the desert southwest and is also known as…
A male Zebra-Tailed Lizard ( Callisaurus draconoides )

Zebra Tailed Lizard ( Callisaurus draconoides )

The Zebra-Tailed Lizard is a medium sized lizard which features a long black and white striped tail and commonly found in California, Arizona and Nevada.…

California Wild Flowers

Arizona Thistle (Cirsium arizonicum) - Photo by James L Rathbun

Arizona Thistle ( Cirsium arizonicum )

Arizona Thistle ( Cirsium arizonicum ) is a member of the sunflower family and common across the south west. The thistle has a two year…
California Goldfields ( Lasthenia californica )

California Goldfields ( Lasthenia californica )

Lasthenia californica, commonly known as California goldfields, is an annual flowering plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is native to California and is particularly…
The California Poppy the state flower of California.

California Poppy ( Eschscholzia californica )

The California Poppy the state flower of California. As the name implies, the California Poppy is that state flower of California. However, this little flower…
California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) found around Convict Lake, California

California Wild Rose (Rosa californica)

California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) found around Convict Lake, California The California Wild Rose (Rosa californica) is a native species of Rose, which is found…
Chicalote (Argemone munita)

Chicalote (Argemone munita)

Chicalote (Argemone munita) A species of prickly poppy, Chicalote (Argemone munita) is also known as the flatbud prickly poppy. A native of California, the Chicalote…
Common Fiddleneck ( Amsinckia intermedia var. intermedia ) - Photo by James L Rathbun

Common Fiddleneck ( Amsinckia intermedia )

The Common Fiddleneck ( Amsinckia intermedia ) is a wildflower common across the United States and a member of the forget-me-not-family. Also known as the…
Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata)

Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata)

Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata) Coyote Melon (Cucurbita palmata), also known as Coyote Gourd, is a flowering plant common in the desert southwest and known to…
A Davey Gilia stalk poking up between the California Poppies in the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve.

Davy Gilia (Gilia latiflora)

A Davey Gilia stalk poking up between the California Poppies in the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve. Davy Gilia (Gilia latiflora) also known as Hollyleaf gilia…
Desert Marigolds located off the Old Mojave Road.

Desert Marigolds (Baileya multiradiata)

Desert Marigolds photographed near the Old Mojave Road. Desert Marigolds (Baileya multiradiata) are an abundant and well distributed flower across the desert south west. The…
Desert Primrose photographed in Anza Burego, CA

Desert Primrose (Oenothera deltoides)

Desert Primrose photographed in Anza Burego, CA The Desert Primrose ( Oenothera deltoides ) is a small bush-like flowering planet with delicate white flowers.  The primrose ranges…
Fremont's Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii) photographed in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Fremont’s Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii)

Fremont's Phacelia (Phacelia fremontii) is a small delicate looking flowering plant commonly commonly found in the southwestern United States including Nevada, Arizona and California. The…
Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)

Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua)

Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) The Globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is a perennial herb and orange wildflower which is commonly found in Nevada, California, Utah and Arizona. This…
Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)

Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata)

The Giant Red Indian Paintbrush or Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) is a wildflower and perennial which is quite common in the western United States, including…
Mojave Poppy ( Eschscholzia glyptosperma )

Mojave Poppy ( Eschscholzia glyptosperma )

Eschscholzia glyptosperma, commonly known as the desert gold poppy or desert poppy, is a species of flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family. This annual herb…
Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia )

Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia )

Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia ) A member of the sunflower family, the Mojave-aster ( Xylorhiza tortifolia ) boasts a delicate lavender flower in the harsh…
Notch-leaved phacelia - Photo by James L Rathbun

Notch-leaved phacelia ( phacelia crenulata )

Notch-leaved phacelia ( phacelia crenulata ) is a lovely little purple wild flower which grows across the desert southwest from California to Texas. The plant…
Owl's Clover

Owl’s Clover (Castilleja exserta)

Owls Clover (Castilleja exserta) is a small flowering plant which can grow about 1 foot tall.   The Owl's Clover is a native plant to…
Penstemon palmeri flower - Photo by James L Rathbun

Palmers Penstemon ( penstemon palmeri )

In the spring on 2020 I was photographing along the Morning Star Mine Road, we happened upon Palmers Penstemon ( penstemon palmeri ). This species…
Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus)

Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) Silvery Lupine (Lupinus argenteus) is a fairly common vibrant purple wild flower and is common in much of Western North America…
Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) in Big Bear, California

Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea)

Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) in Big Bear, California The Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) is a rather rare and unique member of the plant community. The…
Photographed in the White Moundtains, Phlox diffusa is a small white flowering plant which prefers alpine and sub-alpine environments.

Spreading Phlox ( Phlox diffusa )

Spreading Phlox ( Phlox diffusa ) is a perennial shrub with small needle like leaves.  This is a small white flowering plant prefers alpine, sub-alpine…
Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatium)

Western Wallflower (Erysimum capitatium)

A member of the mustard family, the Western Wallflower ( Erysimum capitatium ) is a brightly colored yellow flower which is quite common across the…

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