Rubicon Trail
Georgetown, CA
Difficulty 5/5 — Extreme terrain
This trail typically requires a winch, spotter, and at least one buddy vehicle. Carry recovery gear, communication (GMRS/satellite), and ride within your skill level. Solo travel is strongly discouraged. Verify current trail status with the managing agency before going.
Length
22 mi
Season
Jun-Oct (snowpack closes the trail other months)
Day-use fee
Free
Permit
Not required
Trail difficulty
Extreme · 5/5Rated on PickRV's editorial 1 (novice) to 5 (extreme) scale.
Vehicle types allowed
Permit and access
No specific OHV permit
El Dorado County public road; pack-it-in-pack-it-out enforcement strict.
Known hazards
- Soup Bowl, Little Sluice, Cadillac Hill — all winch obstacles
- Granite slabs
- Multi-day commitment
Editorial tip
Don't go without a group, lockers, 35" tires minimum, and recovery gear. The Rubicon Trail Foundation publishes a current trail report each season — read it before going.
— PickRV editorial team
Official managing-agency source
Trail conditions, permit rates, and seasonal closures change. Always verify the current state of this trail with the managing agency before you ride.
County agency pagehttps://www.edcgov.us/
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See California off-road rentalsQuestions about Rubicon Trail
- Is Rubicon Trail open year-round?
- Season: Jun-Oct (snowpack closes the trail other months). Always verify current trail status with the managing agency before traveling.
- Do I need a permit to ride Rubicon Trail?
- No specific OHV permit is required, though El Dorado County public road; pack-it-in-pack-it-out enforcement strict. Standard rules of the managing agency still apply.
- What vehicles are allowed?
- Allowed vehicle types: Jeep. Always confirm street-legal and OHV-registration requirements for your state.
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California rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 9.75% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Permit required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-06:00