Easy 4x4 Trail In Southern California: Berdoo Canyon - Full Trail Review

This is a complete trail review and guide for "Berdoo Canyon Offroad Trail" in Southern California. Berdoo Canyon starts at Dillon Rd. about 6 miles from Interstate 10, and runs into Joshua Tree National Park.
In this review we show you the few more difficult spots on the trail so you know what to expect if you plan on driving this trail.
You can download the free .GPX file for Berdoo Canyon at our website, here: www.notarubicon.com/berdoo-ca...

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Link to download the free .GPX file for your GPS: www.notarubicon.com/berdoo-canyon-offroad-trail-review-free-gpx-file-download/

[@Trd2020]

Love how you show how to get there. No one ever shows the beginning

[@davidgarcia2491]

You have the BEST videos, hands down

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Glad you like them!

[@Trd2020]

He goes into so much detail. Best off-road videos

[@the_bencredible]

Wife and I ran this on valentines weekend. Was a fun trail.

[@MyFamilysKeeper]

I'm a beginner and truly appreciate these videos! Cant wait to take my friends out here! Thank you!

[@TheDodger37]

It's a very fun ride! I live near it and always love going there to wheel and have a great time

[@9663mu]

Daniel Rodriguez hey bud. I know there is no group campsite currently due to virus but what about on side of roads ? Any camping at all possible ? Thanks

[@jimpongrass]

I really like the way you detail your overlanding adventures. It make it much easier if someone wants to do learn about that particular trail and the coordinates of the trail. I look forward to future treks. I also plan to watch your past treks.

[@jwgunner4919]

Been doing this trail since I bought my first jeep. Even now in a jku it's still fun. It changes after every big rain and never gets old. Thanks for the video

[@xrdang]

Thank you for posting another gpx file, it even has pins of where the harder spots are 👍

[@jackojacko3545]

IM A AUSTRALIAN AND LOVE WATCHING THESE EASY TRAILS .IT GIVES ME A GREAT GLIMPSE OF THE AMERICAN COUNTRY .OVER HERE WE CALL IT DRY COUNTRY SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT IT THATS FOR SURE .GOD BLESS RUBER DOWN FROM A WRANGLER OWNER

[@kplmods]

Made it up the canyon today in a stock Subaru Outback. The tough sections were even worse than in the video. I only had to stack rocks in 3 different spots to make it past. It was a lot or work since I was alone, but it was a fun trail. The guy at the gate let me out without paying because he said I was the first Subaru he'd seen make it.

[@Memetologist]

Have you gotten mods since then?

[@wardperozuk2782]

Just came upon your channel. I like the narrative. Well done!

[@Trd2020]

I love your detail to the video you explain everything

[@pablomoca]

Thanks to your videos I've done 2 of your recommended easy trails. I did this one today with my Pops as a copilot it was a lot of fun. I don't think I would have ever done this if it wasn't for you. Thanks man.

[@TheDodger37]

Its always awsome to see videos of trails very close to me! Hope to see you out there one day and snap some photos! Wheel safely!

[@thomaschristen1049]

Thank you! I can’t seem to get enough of Berdoo Canyon Road. Living 2,400 miles away doesn’t help. Keep up the good work.

[@ob1kenobi832]

THANK YOU!!! I am a beginner and this ended up being an excellent 1st ride. I did this with my daughter and your video gave us the confidence and pointers we needed to make this a very fun day. We did all the extra credits and again, as many times as I had watched your video, I felt very confident with minimal butterflies. Thanks again.

[@illuminator728]

Great Video! Very informative. My son and I were out that way yesterday, Monday, and there was no one around, and since we were solo, decided not to go it alone, could be a long hike out if something broke! Plan on going again soon. So your video was perfect for us. Thank you!

[@steveanderson506]

Thanks Randy. Just drove this yesterday. 12/17/2020. Great info. Very easy. Beautiful weather. We decided to exit JTNP to the south. It is a long way to refuel. No cell service anywhere, fortunately we had the gas. Could be some good additional intel. Cheers. Steve

[@socal69_88]

Overall how was it for you? Did you go alone or did you convoy? I’m interested in going but don’t know how to get there exact since it’ll be my first time going. Did you go alone or in groups? 🤔

[@joek.6666]

Just wanted to say thank you Randy! Your video inspired me to go out yesterday with my son and drive the Berdoo Canyon in my Ram 1500 4x4 (2” leveling kit and 35’s). No clearance issues and you are definitely correct about the narrow sections…they are NARROW, especially in that truck 👍🏻

[@ivanfrank_]

Just did this trail in our new JLU today and we did not know what to expect. Wish we would have come across this video before we started; very well explained! Definitely reliving those hard forks and how we avoided the extra credit without even knowing.

[@Steemax]

Just want to add. Did this trail yesterday thanks to this video and GPX download. Everything went smooth and was tons of fun. Fairly easy with my Tacoma.. just needed some spotting in a couple spots. Also the Joshua tree post you pay at on the way out was closed for some reason so I didn't have to pay anything driving out from the top.

[@socal69_88]

Did you go alone? I’m wanting to go and take my Silverado there. Looks fun. I’ll be down to link with ya :)

[@noknownthrone2487]

Wow... what an absolutely EXCELLENT format for your video. I love the fact you put the navigation down in the corner when you took off. Thinking about taking my 2500 Z71 through this road. Looking to keep learning on more beginner trails like this. So far I've been having some fun more locally around Los Padres. Just subbed! Look forward to learning more from your channel :)

[@lucasstuart-chilcote7069]

Love it! Can't wait to try this easy trail out. Beginner here with a stock Toyota Sequoia 4x4.

[@tobyhammett6807]

Appreciate the video brother, enough so that I made this my first 4 x 4 trail ride and it was great, your directions and observations were spot on and the last obstacle gets your attention for sure. We even brought the HG's for some target practice :)

[@lifelong5425]

Good stuff...thanks for showing these passable roads....even with some of the challenge parts, seems like just a pleasant trip over...

[@davidrte.664]

I live just up the road on Dillon and try to do this trail at least a couple times a year. He does an excellent job of describing this trail.

[@WFORacer]

Thanks for the video, always good to learn about another plinking place besides Hodge Road.

[@sergo8483]

Great video with a lot of info. Will definitely try this trail out.

[@blujack100]

I’m a beginner so thanks for this great overview of this trail.

[@MrLuigimassicotti]

Love this format. Thx

[@rightyouareken7587]

Headed to explore Joshua tree area with my 80 series land cruiser in a few days. Been bin watching all of your videos and you do a great job! Subscribed. Unfortunately rain is forecasted and hoping it won’t cause too much trail erosion or flooding

[@dadventuretv2538]

Very cool. Looks beautiful.

[@2147jarhead]

great run, love JT

[@easternleaf]

Hey @Notarubicon, It was nice running into you today on the trail. We were in the Grey F150. Thanks for the warning on the Rocky part of the trail. We got through it with some spotting. Would love to join your group on one of your runs.

[@shiftintohigh5564]

Oh now here is a channel for me. Subbed👍👍😎🇺🇸 What exhaust is that...it purrs👍👍😎. As long as we can just see the Salton Sea and not smell it.🤔😳😳😎👍

[@djkincaid]

What a great video. I wish more content creators followed your lead and actually told us where they were and how they got there. Way to many people produce what will call Ego Videos that make their rigs look cool but provide very little useful information about the trail run.

[@mikenewmeyer2287]

Nice video. I went with a small group a week before you posted this video.

[@iPig]

Geology tour road was my first taste of offroad driving years ago in my old car. That's when I decided to buy the Jeep!

[@jaime5711]

I'm glad I found you...

[@zacharyfriedman6403]

Took my stock 2019 4Runner TRD off-road here today (after watching the video). too fun! Tube steps were close to scratching on the last obstacle. Definitely taking off next time.

[@jimmyrodriguez5404]

You made that obstacle past the gate look easy. Definitely needed a spotter for that one.

[@gcjctc2]

Thanks I plan to give this a try

[@jeffarcher400]

Over twenty years ago when a Jeep Grand Cherokee was the first SUV I did this trail after checking it out on my motorcycle. We did it solo and it was only hard in the two sections. On the way down we did Pinto wash and it was sweet. Now I only see Pinto basin road on Google but there's a trail there somewhere.

[@vinnyboii86]

I live off of Dillon down the road from here. So many awesome trails from super easy to extremely difficult just a few miles west of berdoo and south of Dillon. I’ve lived here over 2 years and I actually haven’t ever done berdoo canyon because there’s so many trails south of Dillon that I still haven’t explored. Just stay off of the Coachella valley preserve.

[@ajabano7667]

Great Video....Thanks!

[@WilliamAlvarez86]

Love that trail.

[@scottsnyder8691]

That first obstacle I wasn't sure I was gonna make it in my stock Gladiator, but it did well, just a slight ding on the TC; tt was more washed out when I went. The second one was more fun and the last, almost at the end I was sure I couldn't make, but with a good line it was actually quite easy. Would definitely do again!

[@frankmartin806]

Nice video thanks

[@Tunaslayer1]

This was the best trail review I have ever viewed. What will it take to get you to make more? I understand you get more views on your communications videos, but I think the only reason is that you were not as comfortable in front of the Camera. I would watch a video of you cutting your grass! Please...

[@patrickkillilea5225]

I think I wanna do this run in the winter... on a snowy dezert day.

[@scottgray3945]

Did this trail back in the day in my ‘95 Pathfinder.

[@vitale6633]

@11:32 brief summary of vehicles which you've led through the canyon ... as I recall a certain 6x6 5ton's first trail run was Berdoo Canyon :)

[@the_bencredible]

Fun fact. If you take this trail in to Joshua national park there’s no booth to pay an admission fee at 😎

[@biffpocoroba890]

Cheapskate.

[@EngelUniverse]

I was wondering if my vehicle would be able to make it or not. This helps a lot. Thanks!

[@daveybernard1056]

nice video

[@GXOR_LA]

This is a fun trail at night.

[@anitadahlstrom2036]

Excellent trail review guide! I'm wondering if there are any group rides going on this week (12/31 or 1/1)? Here from Florida, want to bring my son's stock Wrangler Unlimited and give the desert and canyon a run.

[@AndrewGistKlaxMaster]

Was able to complete this in my Stock 2021 Jeep Compass Trailhawk (8.7 inch clearance) I recommend a little experience though.

[@AndrewGistKlaxMaster]

@@MrXerxes thanks! I Def hit my skid plate a few times, haha, but never got stuck.

[@Jamarkus_Delvonte]

Can this be done in a Honda? I modified it with several VTech stickers.

[@dxkraus]

Headed down that way at the end of Feb. Have a Toyota RAV4 with AWD. My buddy and I have years of experience and have done some relatively tough roads with our share of spotting where the options are drive up a cliff on one side or drive off a cliff on the other. Is AWD suitable for this road? I'm most concerned about that toughest spot. It looks like you do less avoidance on rocks than we might. Thanks in advance. By the way, the late sketch artist, Earl Thollander, includes this road from Dillon Road to the Park Road in "Back Roads of California" , last updated in 1994. He generally states all of his roads can be driven with 2WD but we've experienced roads of his that are more difficult than they were 25 years ago here in the PNW. Anyway, any advice is appreciated.

[@Mantripping]

That last "hardest spot" ... one of my first times on that trail I saw a guy in a rental Jeep Liberty try it ... he asked if we thought he could do it, we said no ... he ignored us and god help him I hope he had supplemental insurance because the sounds of crushed metal were simply painful to listen to (along with his string of expletives after the first few bumps knowing he could do nothing but move forward) :)

[@edwardgomez3633]

How far are you from the Camp Sites in 29 Palms once you come to the one-way loop and take the left?

[@WhyWhatHappen.]

What tires, tire size, rims and rim size are on the beauty of Jeep???? Very clean!

[@javi111488]

How often do you guys hit that trail?i would love to come along.

[@joerivs80]

What is that little GPS screen in the bottom right?

[@DennisMartinezCalifornia]

Can I do this in my 94 Toyota Celica 🤔🤣

[@gerogerigegege666]

Do you think an Outback Wilderness can do it? Thanks.

[@socaloutdoors7355]

Its gotta already be hot as sin out there.

[@pablotanja2405]

nice video bro been there done that with my Toyota Tacoma

[@Socaloverlander]

How do you get to the actual gate for the national park ?

[@ilmostro246]

Wath kind of gps are you sing and any app for a cell phone??

[@9663mu]

Great videos as always brother. Is there cell phone reception down there ? Also any camping ? Thanks again!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Zero cellphone reception beginning as soon as you get near the canyon.. the next reception is 30+ miles away in either Twentynine Palms or the town of Joshua Tree.. Many places to camp all up the canyon.

[@michaelgaunt6476]

I see one of the Jeeps was a Sport model (non-locking diffs). Was it modified or do you need locking diffs to make it?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Locking diffs are only required for extremely difficult trails.. Berdoo Canyon is an easy trail - no lockers needed.

[@Steemax]

Planning on doing this trail in two weeks while in Indio, do you advise against doing it at this time of the year due to heat? Thanks!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

as long as you know it will be hot and are fully prepared, have at it! its the people that dont know how hot it will be and/or are not prepared for it that get into trouble.

[@Steemax]

@@TheNotaRubicon Perfect, thank you for the reply!

[@Dannyboy1550]

How do you like the hood mounted high-lift jack? I'm trying to decide where I want to mount one on my 2012 JK.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

We're happy with the HiLift on the hood.. it stays out of the way and it's easy to get to.. as long as you have the arm strength to get it off-and on, or you have a helper.

[@robertf3340]

Excellent video, Randy. Would you say it’s easier to run it from the North to the South (from JTNP) or the way you guys initially did it in the video?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

North to South (downhill) is easier.

[@robertf3340]

@@TheNotaRubicon copy that. Hope to see you on the upcoming run

[@carlosnajera65]

Great video! I was thinking about hiking there all the way into the park. I'd have to camp there overnight then back down the next day. Did you see any hikers going up or down in the canyon?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

We have done this trail a dozen times or more in the last few years, and never, once, have we seen any hikers anywhere along the way.. But as long as you are prepared for the hike, I dont see why someone couldn't hike it.. just make sure you camp in a "legal" place.

[@skrillian]

We just drove Berdoo Canyon Road last week, and I'd caution against hiking it, but I'm not an experienced hiker. We didn't see a single person in the 4+ hours we were on the canyon road. We saw several foxes, coyotes, bats and such, though. If you choose to do so, I highly suggest starting your hike from Dillon Road as early as possible in the morning, and being aware that you will be walking through an area that locals have completely trashed - as in, people go there to blow things up, discard trash, scrawl racist graffiti on rocks, and get drunk and shoot things. I don't think you'd "get in trouble" for camping within park boundaries along this route since it seems like the NPS doesn't visit it much, but just something to keep in mind since more NPS require you to camp in designated areas. The canyon road is very pretty, however. I was really surprised by the stunning pink granite deposits/veins in the rocks at the start of the road inside JTNP.

[@oloutback92]

Think a Subaru Outback with 2inch lift and all terrains can do this trail ?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Depending on the skill of the driver, possibly

[@Socaloverlander]

Do you have to air down?

[@jkiddy]

Great video. Is it possible to do this with highway tires? I’ve got plenty of clearance but running highway tires at the moment

[@TheNotaRubicon]

How well you do depends on your driving skills, but we have taken many vehicles through this trail on AT/Highway tires.

[@jinoh7418]

I think you could. I dont even put mine in 4x4 on this trail at all.

[@jabroni6199]

Will a Ford Raptor make it through some of the tighter spots without body damage, in your opinion?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

We have had Raptors come on this trail with us. I think they went around some of the more narrow spots, but they made it.

[@firstimeshooter6590]

Will a locked 2wd “prerunner” make it? I’m on 33s

[@dirtysteezoff-road4139]

YES

[@danielw00ds]

Can a Subaru Crosstrek handle it?

[@noepaniagua2542]

Great videos ut I have a question my daughter just got a renegade trailhawk and she is looking for easy trails the she can do on the renegade about a month ago we did the red canyon trail on some website say hard and someone's say moderate it was ok for the renegade except a few areas her renegade is not modified so my question is basically this trail can be good for the renegade or can u suggest some thanks

[@stithis]

Jeep easy can be CUV hard..if that makes any sense. If its jeep hard, then it CUV impossible.

[@steigj]

I've done the trail up to the most difficult section without difficulty in an '18 Renegade Trailhawk, and down all the way from Geology Tour Rd. to Dillon road. No problems but I was glad for a spotter. I didn't go up the difficult section because I didn't have a spotter. So, yes she can do the trail in her Renegade.

[@steigj]

Might I suggest Meccacopia Trail? Very easy, very scenic with just a couple of ledges making it a relaxing cruise. Takes about 3 hours, so this time of year, I'd want to be at the start of the trail at dawn otherwise a little problem could become tragic. Bradford trail is another option, but the first few miles are so washboarded that it is no fun to drive at all.

[@hightendsences]

Can you camp along the wash ?

[@joelbautista6350]

Are UTV/ATV vehicles allowed on the trail? Thanks!

[@jonnyTee420]

I’m from the area no they are not but it is not enforced, hence the people going out to shoot which also isn’t allowed 😂 I see utv/atv all the time!

[@Trd2020]

Any bee canyon videos?

[@dstephan34]

Watching those little finger ground guiding signals was kinda triggering, lol. Big huge arm movements that can't be misinterpreted or even missed please.

[@DJAllex231]

Probably do this one In the next few weeks, dumb question, going back down to town, do I go the same way I came in?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Yes, except for the small one-way section of the "loop" on Geology Tour Road, you go right back the way you came.. In and out..

[@DJAllex231]

NotaRubicon Productions thank u, always enjoy ur informative videos

[@Trd2020]

How long is the drive? What time did it take you?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

it took us about 2-3 hours to complete the run.

[@martinb554]

I have a stock 2012 explorer base model what trails would you recommend?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

If it has 4WD, then any of the trails in this video of our top 10 Easy Trails! (except maybe Phillips Loop): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpCtYqN3fN2sl6M

[@martinb554]

@@TheNotaRubicon it's only 2wd, is there any drive that I could do with the family

[@TheNotaRubicon]

The only trail in our Top 10 List that we would recommend for a 2WD vehicle would be Rainbow Basin.. Easy dirt road with beautiful scenery!

[@martinb554]

@@TheNotaRubicon thank you

[@aycarambas]

I went through Geology Tour Road and just at the entrance to Berdoo the sign read "beware enter at own risk people have died from the heat"! I turned back 💀💀

[@rubengutierrez3462]

Do you think a 2wd truck can make it with KO2s and limited slip diff? I would probably take someone with 4x4

[@rogergrace2976]

Don't try it with 2-Wheel. Very bad spots. Takes a good 4-hours.

[@LAAM619]

Did it 4 times in my stock 2016 chevy colorado WT. I feel like ppl really exaggerate but idk maybe im too clueless to kno better. Those 4 times were my only times off roading.

[@KTMcaptain]

I think you’d be fine. The 4x4 might need to tug you a few times but I made it through everything in 2wd in my Gladiator except for one section. I put it in 4 lo and it spun two wheels before letting off my brake so I locked her all up and idle through it.

[@roehughes1231]

Yes, easily. I did this trail in my 2wd open diff 2015 Chevy Colorado long bed. It has a 3" lift and 33" Wildpeaks and I went through really easy. Clearance is the main factor on this trail, traction not so much, as long as you stay on the main trail. Bringing a spotter is a good idea though

[@pedrogonzalez8761]

Can a All wheel drive santa fe can MAKE the trail?

[@matthewesguerra4257]

From what I saw, using my own judgement, my crosstrek can make the trail. Id say that it would depend on the driver mostly and I saw some lines that make it pretty easy so it would be mostly up to the drivers skills. I didn't see any steep sections where tires would make a difference. At 8:26, if that were uphill, then that would be a different story and from what I understand, that is a optional thing people can do for fun.

[@redliz89]

What PSI do you recommend going down too?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Because there is no rock-crawling involved on this trail, just low enough to smooth out the bumps is fine ..15-18 should be good for most vehicles.

[@abrahamsandoval3560]

Is the entrance gate to JTNP always open?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

No, they close it for various reasons from time to time. You can always call the JTNP ranger station to make sure its open.

[@carlyjustine3765]

The entrances to the park are always open to traffic however there are not rangers staffing the booths 24/7. You do have 24 hour access to the park though.

[@gabrielalizarraga1765]

Just got 2021 Tacoma TRD off-road 4x4. All stock still haven’t modified anything. How will my truck do? Beginner here

[@TheNotaRubicon]

We have seen lesser vehicles on this trail.. Just dont go alone!

[@gabrielalizarraga1765]

Do you recommend letting some air out on the tires?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

not required for Berdoo Canyon, but airing down will smooth out the bumpy ride and reduce the chances of getting a puncture from a sharp rock

[@gabrielalizarraga1765]

@@TheNotaRubicon thanks much appreciated!

[@wmontaney]

Missing the link to the .gpx download. Thank you.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Here you go William! www.notarubicon.com/berdoo-canyon-offroad-trail-review-free-gpx-file-download/

[@PREZSMOKE]

I have a 02 tundra , rear wheel drive , can I make it ???

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Unless you are a skilled off-road driver, we would not recommend this trail for a 2WD vehicle.

[@LAAM619]

Probably. I did it in a stock chevy colorado WT 4 times, its the only off roading ive ever done.

[@vincentshamoun6067]

Do you need to pay any fees or have some sort of pass to enter Joshua Tree?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You are supposed to pay, even if you come in the back way via Berdoo Canyon Rd - so you would have to drive to one of the gated entrances/exits.. As you exit, if you dont have a pass you will have to pay.

[@vincentshamoun6067]

@@TheNotaRubicon thanks for the info and detailed video!