5 Off-Road Trails in BC You’ll Want a Winch For
Let’s be honest — you didn’t buy that lifted 4x4 just to crawl over mall curbs and gravel roads.
Today, we’re diving into 5 real off-road trails in British Columbia — the kind of rugged, muddy, tire-spinning chaos that’ll either make you fall in love with your rig… or question every dollar you spent on it.
These aren’t your typical AWD-friendly logging roads. These are wild, remote 4x4 routes in BC where a winch isn’t just a flex — it might actually save your trip.
Bring a buddy (you’ll need someone to laugh at when they get stuck), pack your recovery gear, and prepare to test your setup like never before.
Still think your overland build is tough?
Let’s find out.
1. Eagle Mountain Trail — Coquitlam, BC (also known like "Eagle Ridge" or "Eagle Mountain 4x4 trail")
Access to Eagle Mountain Trail isn’t open to the public by default. You’ll need to be a member of 4WDABC and request a Bluetooth gate key. Your rig must meet minimum clearance requirements (at least 12” or 33” tires), and you’ll be expected to follow all trail rules — including locking the gate behind you. The trail is wild, but the access is managed for a reason. Respect it, and you get to enjoy one of BC’s best-kept off-road secrets.
I’m done talking — just hit play. 🎬
2. Whipsaw Trail — Princeton, BC
Whipsaw Trail is public Crown Land, meaning no permit or membership needed — just plug in the coordinates near Princeton off Hwy 3 and hit the Forest Service Road. The route’s unmarked and technical in spots, so bring GPS or GPX files and all your recovery gear. Expect rock gardens, muddy creek crossings, and zero cell signal — but also epic alpine views and legit wild camping spots. Just remember to stick to existing roads, pack out what you pack in, and leave it better than you found it.
Whipsaw Trail isn’t here to make you feel good — it’s here to test your patience, your suspension, and your bug tolerance.
We hit everything from rocks to ruts to clouds of mosquitoes that felt personally offended by our presence. Two rigs in our group got stuck (classic), and thank God someone brought a kinetic rope. The views? Wild and worth it. The bugs? Savage. The tree with the... surprise ornament halfway through? We’re still not over it.
Bring recovery gear, a sense of humour, and maybe don’t go alone.
3. Nahatlatch Forest Service Road — Boston Bar, BC
Ready for a true wilderness adventure? Nahatlatch Forest Service Road is open to everyone — no permits, no memberships, just you and the Crown Land calling. The first ~21 km are rough gravel and potholes, easily handled by a high-clearance 4x4; beyond that, expect deep washouts, tricky creek crossings, and possible landslide/bypass zones. It’s a 70 km journey through Fraser Canyon’s wild heart — zero cell service, epic lakes, waterfalls, and campsites tucked between ancient forests and glacier-fed rivers. Bring good maps or a GPX track, full recovery gear, extra fuel, and a buddy — and be ready to fall in love with BC’s rawest side.
4. Chehalis Lake Trail — Harrison Mills, BC
Chehalis Lake Trail leads to an alpine lake tucked deep among cedar forests above Harrison Lake. It’s part of Crown Land — open access, no permits or memberships required. But don’t let that fool you — this isn’t a casual drive. The 2007 landslide caused a full-blown “megatsunami,” and the road is still prone to erosion and washouts after rain. Expect varied terrain: from gravel to deeply rutted sections and the occasional unavoidable creek crossing.
- Access: Open — just head up Chehalis FSR from Lougheed Hwy, no gate or permit needed.
- Terrain: Mixed gravel/dirt, landslide areas, creek crossings.
- What to bring: GPS or GPX tracks (some side roads may disappear), full recovery kit, extra fuel.
- Best timing: Summer to early fall — less erosion and fewer washouts. After rain? It gets slick and risky.
- Camping/fishing: Chehalis Lake is a favorite for anglers and quiet campers — peaceful, remote, and stunning.
5. Lost Creek Forest Service Road — Mission / Pemberton, BC
Lost Creek isn’t a trail — it’s a test drive for the soul.
It starts off as a tame gravel road, but soon turns into a maze of tight turns, steep climbs, and unexpected mud pits that like to surprise... and bite. One of the climbs toward Kenyon Lake can mess up your suspension if you don’t ease into it. At times, it feels like you're driving alone through a forest that might vanish with the next bend — and that’s the magic. Bring your rig, bring a buddy — and be ready for the unpredictable.
- Access: Open Crown Land — starts from Sylvester Rd / Centex off Lougheed Hwy. No permits required.
- Terrain: Mixed gravel/dirt, narrow sections, steep climbs with damage potential, creek crossings.
- What to bring: Low-range 4×4, full recovery gear, GPS tracks (route can be unclear), extra fuel, spotter buddy.
- Best timing: Summer to fall — less mud and standing water. After rain, the trail can be borderline impassable.
- Community: 4WDABC often hosts newbie runs here — a good chance to learn from locals and get live advice.
These trails will shred your tires, shake your suspension—and maybe even mess with your ego.
But you don’t have to face it alone. A good winch isn’t just gear — it’s your exit plan when nature says “not today.”
Explore our top winches & recovery gear, built for trails just like these:
👉 Shop https://gowildauto.com/collections/winches
💪 Prep your rig. Hit the road. Drive wild — but stay smart, stay safe, and don’t get stuck without a backup plan.