By Caleb MorganUpdated November 2026
Anyone planning a california 4×4 trails book purchase is usually trying to answer one question: which guide will actually get me to good trails without wasting a weekend on roads I can’t use or routes I’m not ready for? A good trail guide should give you clear directions, honest difficulty ratings, realistic notes on seasonal access and enough detail to plan fuel, water and recovery gear. The five books below were compared on those criteria, using publisher descriptions, listing details and the kinds of feedback owners commonly report about route accuracy and coverage. None of them were trail-tested by us.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallGuide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails: 100 Mountain & Desert TrailsView on Amazon - 2
TOP CHOICEBest for Colorado-bound tripsGuide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive TrailsView on Amazon - 3
TOP CHOICEBest for Moab-area routesguide to moab ut backroads and 4 wheel drive trailsView on Amazon - 4
Best for Arizona desert tripsGT Arizona Backroads & 4-WheelView on Amazon - 5
Best for northern ColoradoGuide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive TrailsView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
The table below summarizes how each guide is positioned. The detailed notes that follow explain who each book suits and where it may fall short.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails: 100 Mountain & Desert Trails | Statewide California trip planning | Covers 100 mountain and desert trails in one volume |
| Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails | Colorado trips from California | Statewide Colorado route coverage |
| guide to moab ut backroads and 4 wheel drive trails | Moab-area trips | Focused on Utah’s red rock routes |
| GT Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel | Arizona desert routes | Desert trail coverage for southwest trips |
| Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails | Northern Colorado mountain routes | Regional focus on northern Colorado terrain |
Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails: 100 Mountain & Desert Trails
Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails: 100 Mountain & Desert Trails (FunTreks Guidebooks)
Best for: Statewide California trip planning across mountain and desert terrain
This is the most directly relevant book for anyone whose main goal is exploring California itself. It is aimed at drivers who want one reference covering a wide range of routes rather than a single region, and who are comfortable planning their own days from a printed map set.
Key specs
- Covers 100 mountain and desert trails in California
- Organized as a regional trail guide for backroads and four-wheel-drive routes
- Published by FunTreks Guidebooks
Pros
- Broad statewide coverage in a single volume
- Mixes mountain and desert terrain, useful for seasonal planning
- Good starting point for drivers new to California trail networks
Cons
- A printed guide can go out of date as road conditions and closures change
- Coverage across 100 trails means individual routes get less detail than a single-area book
Bottom line: Pick this if you want one California reference and plan to supplement it with current land-management updates.
Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails
Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails (FunTreks Guidebooks)
Best for: Colorado trips from California
Drivers who plan to combine a California trip with a Rocky Mountain itinerary may find this book a useful companion. It is meant for those who want statewide Colorado route coverage in a single guide.
Key specs
- Statewide Colorado backroads and four-wheel-drive trail coverage
- Published by FunTreks Guidebooks
Pros
- Useful if your trip extends beyond California
- Covers a wide range of Colorado terrain in one book
- Consistent format with other FunTreks titles
Cons
- Not relevant for California-only trips
- Statewide scope limits detail on any single route
Bottom line: A sensible choice for a multi-state trip, but unnecessary if you are staying in California.
guide to moab ut backroads and 4 wheel drive trails
guide to moab ut backroads and 4 wheel drive trails (FunTreks Guidebooks)
Best for: Moab-area trips
Anyone heading to the Moab region for red rock routes will find this guide directly relevant. It suits drivers who already know they want Utah terrain and need route-level information in that area.
Key specs
- Focused on backroads and four-wheel-drive trails around Moab, Utah
- Published by FunTreks Guidebooks
Pros
- Regional focus gives more depth than statewide books
- Relevant for classic red rock trail networks
- Helpful for planning a multi-day Utah trip
Cons
- Limited use for California or other states
- Moab routes can change with permit rules and seasonal closures, so verify before departure
Bottom line: The right pick for a Moab-focused trip, not for general California use.
GT Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel
GT Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel (FunTreks Guidebooks)
Best for: Arizona desert routes
This book suits drivers planning desert-focused trips in Arizona, especially those who may be combining southwest travel with California or Nevada routes.
Key specs
- Arizona backroads and four-wheel-drive trail coverage
- Published by FunTreks Guidebooks
Pros
- Good match for desert terrain comparable to parts of southern California
- Useful for multi-state southwest itineraries
- Regional focus keeps route descriptions relevant
Cons
- Not designed for California routes
- Desert conditions change quickly with heat and flash flood risk, so check current advisories
Bottom line: Worth considering for Arizona-bound desert trips; not a California reference.
Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails
Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails (Funtreks Guidebooks)
Best for: Northern Colorado mountain routes
This regional guide targets drivers who plan to focus on northern Colorado mountain terrain rather than the whole state. It suits those who want depth in one area.
Key specs
- Regional coverage of northern Colorado backroads and four-wheel-drive trails
- Published by FunTreks Guidebooks
Pros
- Regional scope allows more detail per route
- Useful for high-elevation mountain trips
- Good companion for a northern Colorado itinerary
Cons
- Narrow geographic scope limits use outside northern Colorado
- High-elevation routes are often seasonal, so check access before you go
Bottom line: A focused choice for northern Colorado trips; not suited to California planning.
Buying Guide
Choosing a trail guide comes down to matching the book’s coverage to where you will actually drive. The factors below explain what to check before you buy.
Geographic coverage
Check whether the book covers your target state or a specific region. Statewide books give breadth, while regional titles give more route-level detail. Decide which matters more for your trip before comparing listings.
Good picks for this: Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, guide to moab ut backroads and 4 wheel drive trails
Number and type of trails
A book listing 100 trails covers a lot of ground but may give each route less space. Look at whether the guide mixes mountain and desert terrain, since those require different vehicle setups and seasonal planning.
Good picks for this: Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails
Difficulty ratings
Difficulty systems vary between publishers. Read the legend before buying so you can judge whether a route suits your vehicle’s clearance, tire size and your own experience level. Ask yourself whether the rating explains what makes a trail hard, such as rock, sand or steep grades.
Good picks for this: Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails, GT Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel
Map quality and navigation detail
Route directions and maps matter most when cell service is absent. Look for clear waypoints, mileage notes and map scales that let you cross-reference with a GPS unit or topographic app. Carrying a paper map as backup is standard practice in remote country.
Good picks for this: Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails
Seasonal access and currency
Printed guides age. Check the publication date and read the book’s notes on seasonal closures. High-elevation passes often close from late fall into spring, and desert roads can be unsafe during summer heat or after storms. Always confirm current conditions with land managers such as the Bureau of Land Management or the US Forest Service before departing.
Good picks for this: Guide to Northern Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails, GT Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel
Trip scope and multi-state planning
If your itinerary crosses state lines, a single-state guide leaves gaps. Decide whether you need one book per region or a broader reference, and factor in the cost of carrying several guides against using one that covers more ground.
Good picks for this: Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails, GT Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel
Durability and portability
A guide that lives in your vehicle will face dust, heat and moisture. Consider page stock and binding, and whether a compact format will fit your glovebox or dash bag alongside recovery gear. A waterproof cover or zip bag is a practical addition for desert and mountain trips.
Good picks for this: Guide to California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails, guide to moab ut backroads and 4 wheel drive trails
FAQ
Is a printed trail guide still worth buying if I have a GPS app?
Yes, in most cases. Apps and GPS units depend on batteries and sometimes on map downloads that may not cover every remote area. A printed guide works without power and gives context such as difficulty notes and route history that a bare track file may not include. Many experienced drivers carry both.
How do I choose between a statewide book and a regional book?
Statewide books suit trips that move between many areas. Regional books give deeper detail for one area. If you are unsure, start with the region where you plan to spend most of your time.
Do trail guides tell me whether my vehicle can handle a route?
Most guides give a general difficulty rating, but they cannot account for your specific tires, lift, clearance or driving skill. Compare the route’s described obstacles with your vehicle’s capability and consider taking an easier trail first.
How often should I check trail conditions before a trip?
Check within a few days of departure. Conditions can change quickly because of weather, fire closures, washouts or seasonal gates. Contact the managing agency for the area you plan to visit.
Are these books useful for beginners?
They can be, especially those with clear difficulty ratings and route descriptions. Beginners should pick easier routes, travel with a more experienced driver when possible and take a basic recovery and first-aid course before tackling technical terrain.
What should I carry along with a trail guide?
Carry recovery gear such as traction boards and a rated recovery strap, a first-aid kit, extra water, a tire repair kit and a tire pressure gauge. Plan fuel with a comfortable margin, because remote stations may be far apart. Carry a compass and paper map as backup.
Conclusion
For general California trip planning, the statewide California book is the most direct fit, since it covers a broad range of mountain and desert routes. Drivers focused on Moab, northern Colorado or Arizona will get better value from the regional titles. Colorado-bound travelers who also plan California routes may find the statewide Colorado guide useful. Whichever you choose, pair the book with current land-management updates and proper recovery and safety gear.
Sources
- Current land-use rules, route closures and access information for Bureau of Land Management lands in the West (blm.gov)
- Forest Service road and trail conditions, seasonal closures and travel management maps (fs.usda.gov)
- Backcountry travel guidance and conditions for National Park Service units (nps.gov)
Related reading
- Top 6 Guide to Northern California Backroads and 4×4 Trails Compared
- Telluride 4×4 Trails Near California (2026): Which Should You Choose?
- Northern California 4×4 Trails: A Route Guide to Difficulty, Season and Prep
- Colorado 4×4 Trails Book: 5 Best Guides for Off-Road Routes
- 7 Best 4×4 Trails in California (2026): Expert Picks
About Caleb Morgan
Caleb Morgan is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our off-road trails & overlanding guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
