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Cowboys Trail
A former cattle route turned rustic multi-use trail near Bass Lake
About
Cowboys Trail follows an old cattle-driving route along Slide Creek in the Sierra National Forest, just outside Oakhurst and north of Bass Lake. Long before hikers, riders, and mountain bikers used this corridor, ranchers drove cattle up it from the lower foothills into the high country to graze on summer grass, and that working-lands history is where the name comes from.
What the Trail Is Like
Most of Cowboys Trail runs as a smooth gravel forest road, an easy, low-key stretch through open Sierra forest rather than a technical singletrack. It functions less as a stand-alone destination and more as an access route into the Chepo Saddle trail system, which links onward to other multi-use trails in the Bass Lake area.
Who Uses It
- Hikers and horseback riders
- Mountain bikers
- Licensed motorcycles and other OHVs, as part of the Sierra National Forest's multi-use road system
One Thing to Know Before You Go
The short singletrack connector linking Cowboys Trail to Chepo Saddle Road is narrow and easy to lose, and it can become overgrown enough in spring to require some bushwhacking. If you're continuing past the main gravel section toward Chepo Saddle, carry a GPS track rather than relying on the trail being obvious on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cowboys Trail good for beginners?
The main gravel section is easy and low-key, but the singletrack connector toward Chepo Saddle Road is narrow, easy to lose, and can be overgrown in spring — so it's best suited to hikers, riders, or bikers comfortable with some backcountry navigation.
Who can use Cowboys Trail?
It's a multi-use U.S. Forest Service route open to hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, and licensed motorcycles and OHVs.
Why is it called Cowboys Trail?
The route follows an old cattle-driving corridor once used to move livestock from the lower foothills up into the Sierra high country for summer grazing.
Do I need a GPS to ride or hike it?
For the main gravel road, no. But if you're continuing past it toward Chepo Saddle, carry a GPS track — the connector singletrack is easy to lose and can become overgrown.
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