For many years, California's off-highway vehicle community has had a vision of a motorized route using existing roads running froom the Mexican border to the Oregon border. The first segment was dedicated in 1966 on the Mendocino National Forest. The second segment is in the Los Angeles area. The third segment, opened in 1997, is 149 miles long and goes through the Six Rivers National Forest in Trinity County, connecting with the Mendocino segment.

The route, primarily on unpaved roads, is designed for sport utility vehicles, with portions open for both street-legal and greensticker off-highway vehicles. The Discovery Trail is a shared-use trail and equestrians, hikers, and bicyclists are welcomed.

Interpretive information such as maps, guidebooks and displays will tell many stories of the land and the history associated with it.

Elevation ranges from 2,200 feet to 6,079 feet. Of the 149 miles, approximately 74 are unpaved roads. Traveling the trail from end to end at a leisurely pace would make a weekend activity.