Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Alton, Illinois

Explore All Beginner Trails Near Alton, Illinois

Lost Creek Road

Lost Creek Road is a scenic, graded gravel road. The road is fairly smooth, with the typical potholes. Shortly after you start, you'll come across a flowing waterfall off the road to the left. As…
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Total Miles
7.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Fa / Sp / Su

Bidwell FSR 2199

Bidwell FSR 2199, is a gravel forestry road that travels through Mark Twain National Forest. Bidwell is one of the longest forestry routes on the eastern side of the forest clocking in at 8.6 forestries…
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Total Miles
11.3
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa

Johns Creek FSR 2170

Johns Creek FSR 2170 is a half gravel half dirt forestry route through the northeasternmost section of Mark Twain National Forest, which resides in lower Ste Genevieve County Missouri. The trail is focused on being…
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Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Anderson Hollow (FSR 2168)

This road starts as well-maintained gravel for the first 300 feet and then quickly turns to a light gravel/dirt 2-track. This road will take you through Mark Twain National Forest land and dead-ends 2.8 miles…
Learn more about Anderson Hollow (FSR 2168)
Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Knob Lick Tower Road

Knob Lick Tower Road leads to a Missouri Department of Conservation area that holds the publicly accessible Knob Lick Tower overlooking the St Francois Mountains. The road's primary surface is gravel, and despite being well-packed,…
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Total Miles
1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi

Bass River Scenic Route

This is a beautiful ride through Mark Twain National Forest on the northern portion of the Potosi district. There are lots of opportunities for photos and enjoying the scenery. You are likely to see deer…
Learn more about Bass River Scenic Route
Total Miles
14
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Mount Gilead Church FSR 2148

Mount Gilead Church FSR 2148, is a gravel forestry road that travels a small area of the Fredericktown sector of Mark Twain National Forest, within the northern hills of Madison County, Missouri. It features course…
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Total Miles
0.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi

Highline FSR 2472

This forest service road is a 2 track through the Mark Twain National Forest and is part of the Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger district. It is a great little side trip off the main road to see…
Learn more about Highline FSR 2472
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Allen Branch FS 4004

Very easy up to the power line. It's a road. Easy access to a place to hike, camp, or hunt. Particularly to hike or hunt the power-line cut. After the power lines, it's a trail…
Learn more about Allen Branch FS 4004
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Pigeon Roost Road - WCR 603

Pigeon Roost Road or Washington County Road 603, is a gravel-dirt mixed road going through portions of rural Washington County land and the Potosi Unit within Mark Twain National Forest. The road features a unique…
Learn more about Pigeon Roost Road - WCR 603
Total Miles
10.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Meridian - FS 2421

Meridian FS 2421 is a coarse gravel road off Grassy Hollow Road within the Potosi Unit of Mark Twain National Forest. The track features a scenic ride through the ridges and valleys between Lost Creek…
Learn more about Meridian - FS 2421
Total Miles
3.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Meridian Spur A - FS 2421A

Meridian Spur A FS 2421A is a gravel, leaning towards natural-improved, road within the Grassy Hollow Road area of the Potosi Unit of Mark Twain National Forest. The road begins as a fork in the…
Learn more about Meridian Spur A - FS 2421A
Total Miles
0.8
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Whitewater Creek Road

Whitewater Creek Road or Bollinger County Road 930/Perry County Road 722, is two gravel county roads that seamlessly connect to lead along and overlook the Whitewater River. The road is mild with only the subtle…
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Total Miles
2.6
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Compton - FS 2649

Compton FS 2649 is a dirt and gravel mixed road off Pigeon Roost Road within the Potosi Unit of Mark Twain National Forest. It features a track from one ridge top to another crossing into…
Learn more about Compton - FS 2649
Total Miles
1.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Lost Meridian - FS 2420

Lost Meridian FS 2420, is a natural improved trail within the Grassy Hollow Road area of the Potosi Unit of Mark Twain National Forest. The trail terrain leans into the natural from the entry, consisting…
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Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Palmer Road - WCR 643

Palmer Road or Washington County Road 643, is a gravel-dirt mixed road going through portions of rural Washington County land and the Potosi Unit within Mark Twain National Forest. The road features a unique use…
Learn more about Palmer Road - WCR 643
Total Miles
3.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Stringtown Branch - FSR 2550

Forest Service Road 2550, also known as Springtown Branch, is a gravel/dirt trail connecting Pigeon Roost Road and Forest Service Road 2695. This trail parallels Parole Lake and offers some good views of the lake.…
Learn more about Stringtown Branch - FSR 2550
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi / Su

Bo-Co Road 200

The Bollinger County Road 200 is a county backroad through northern Bollinger County. The road connects a few of the bigger funner county roads in the area. The main features of the road are mild-graded…
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Total Miles
5.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi

Palmer Lake Loop

The first puddle at the start of the trail is normally passable for any vehicle. There is potential water on the road and loose gravel back in the dam area of the loop. Otherwise, the…
Learn more about Palmer Lake Loop
Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Palmer North - FSR 2695

Forest Service Road 2695 (Palmer North) connects Palmer Road and Pigeon Roost Road. At the trailhead near Palmer Road, you'll encounter the historic Palmer Church, established in 1840. The majority of the trail is a…
Learn more about Palmer North - FSR 2695
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Castor River Shut-Ins Road

The Castor River Shut-ins Road, also known as Madison County Road 253, is a simple gravel road leading to the Missouri Department of Conservation Area of the same name. The road features smooth riding with…
Learn more about Castor River Shut-Ins Road
Total Miles
1.4
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Old Tiff Mill - FSR 2423

Forest Service Road 2423 is a well-maintained gravel road in the Potosi District of the Mark Twain National Forest. FSR 2423 connects to FSR 2919, which provides access to Howell Lake and Howell Mine Dam.…
Learn more about Old Tiff Mill - FSR 2423
Total Miles
1.8
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Whitewater Presbyterian Church Road

Whitewater Presbyterian Church Road, or the Bo-Co Road 256, is a gravel county road that traverses passed the church and into the valley below. The bottom section of the road features mild rutting, natural rock…
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Total Miles
2.1
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi

Bo-Co Road 918

The Bollinger County 918 is a gravel county road connecting to other county roads in the area. It has mild rutting, washboarding, and mounding and shows signs of wear near its low-water bridge and hilly…
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Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Su / Wi

Lake Shore Loop

This track is an easy ride down to the lake at Pruitt Mountain, where you're encouraged to swim and enjoy. The turnaround at the dam and a section of the back half vary depending on…
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Total Miles
0.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Snapps Hollow - FS 2698

Snapps Hollow FS 2698 is a gravel road within the Pigeon Roost Road area of the Potosi Unit of Mark Twain National Forest. It features a track going south where it branches off the Pigeon…
Learn more about Snapps Hollow - FS 2698
Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Criswell - FS 2248

Criswell FS 2248, is a gravel road within the Pigeon Roost Road area of the Potosi Unit of Mark Twain National Forest. The road starts coming off the Pigeon Roost Road, following a ridge going…
Learn more about Criswell - FS 2248
Total Miles
0.9
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Timber Lane - FS 2514

Timber Lane FS 2514, or simply Timberlane Ridge, is a gravel road within the Pigeon Roost Road area of the Potosi Unit of Mark Twain National Forest. The road starts coming off the Pigeon Roost…
Learn more about Timber Lane - FS 2514
Total Miles
2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Boiling Ridge - FS 2099

Boiling Ridge FS 2099 is a gravel road within the Pigeon Roost Road area of the Potosi Unit of Mark Twain National Forest. It features a track going south where it branches off the Pigeon…
Learn more about Boiling Ridge - FS 2099
Total Miles
0.4
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Madison County Road 249

Madison County Road 249 is a gravel-based road that travels through the northeastern hills of Madison County. It features scenic views of Spring Valley Creek and then leads up a moderate grade to weave in…
Learn more about Madison County Road 249
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

ATV Trails Near Alton, Illinois

Bass River Scenic Route

This is a beautiful ride through Mark Twain National Forest on the northern portion of the Potosi district. There are lots of opportunities for photos and enjoying the scenery. You are likely to see deer…
Learn more about Bass River Scenic Route
Total Miles
14
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Highline FSR 2472

This forest service road is a 2 track through the Mark Twain National Forest and is part of the Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger district. It is a great little side trip off the main road to see…
Learn more about Highline FSR 2472
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Allen Branch FS 4004

Very easy up to the power line. It's a road. Easy access to a place to hike, camp, or hunt. Particularly to hike or hunt the power-line cut. After the power lines, it's a trail…
Learn more about Allen Branch FS 4004
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Stringtown Branch - FSR 2550

Forest Service Road 2550, also known as Springtown Branch, is a gravel/dirt trail connecting Pigeon Roost Road and Forest Service Road 2695. This trail parallels Parole Lake and offers some good views of the lake.…
Learn more about Stringtown Branch - FSR 2550
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi / Su

Palmer Lake Loop

The first puddle at the start of the trail is normally passable for any vehicle. There is potential water on the road and loose gravel back in the dam area of the loop. Otherwise, the…
Learn more about Palmer Lake Loop
Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su

Palmer North - FSR 2695

Forest Service Road 2695 (Palmer North) connects Palmer Road and Pigeon Roost Road. At the trailhead near Palmer Road, you'll encounter the historic Palmer Church, established in 1840. The majority of the trail is a…
Learn more about Palmer North - FSR 2695
Total Miles
2.4
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

UTV/Side-by-Side Near Alton, Illinois

Anderson Hollow (FSR 2168)

This road starts as well-maintained gravel for the first 300 feet and then quickly turns to a light gravel/dirt 2-track. This road will take you through Mark Twain National Forest land and dead-ends 2.8 miles…
Learn more about Anderson Hollow (FSR 2168)
Total Miles
2.5
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Bass River Scenic Route

This is a beautiful ride through Mark Twain National Forest on the northern portion of the Potosi district. There are lots of opportunities for photos and enjoying the scenery. You are likely to see deer…
Learn more about Bass River Scenic Route
Total Miles
14
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Su

Highline FSR 2472

This forest service road is a 2 track through the Mark Twain National Forest and is part of the Potosi/Fredericktown Ranger district. It is a great little side trip off the main road to see…
Learn more about Highline FSR 2472
Total Miles
1.3
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Allen Branch FS 4004

Very easy up to the power line. It's a road. Easy access to a place to hike, camp, or hunt. Particularly to hike or hunt the power-line cut. After the power lines, it's a trail…
Learn more about Allen Branch FS 4004
Total Miles
2.2
Tech Rating
1 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Su / Fa / Wi

Stringtown Branch - FSR 2550

Forest Service Road 2550, also known as Springtown Branch, is a gravel/dirt trail connecting Pigeon Roost Road and Forest Service Road 2695. This trail parallels Parole Lake and offers some good views of the lake.…
Learn more about Stringtown Branch - FSR 2550
Total Miles
1.7
Tech Rating
2 Easy
Best Time
Sp / Fa / Wi / Su

Palmer Lake Loop

The first puddle at the start of the trail is normally passable for any vehicle. There is potential water on the road and loose gravel back in the dam area of the loop. Otherwise, the…
Learn more about Palmer Lake Loop
Total Miles
1.5
Tech Rating
3 Easy
Best Time
Su