Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Belknap, Illinois

Dutchman Lake Trail is a short gravel road within Shawnee National Forest that leads to a quiet access point at Dutchman Lake. The route is easy to navigate with minimal obstacles, though ruts may develop after periods of heavy rainfall. The boat access area consists of a gravel and grass launch on ...
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Taylor Ridge Road is a gravel route within Shawnee National Forest that leads to a designated trailhead parking area for nearby hiking trails. The road is generally easy to navigate, with occasional ruts that may form after heavy rainfall. At the start of the route, signage indicates a dead end, whi...
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Grandpa’s Getaway is a short gravel road that leads to a quiet access point at Little Cache Number 1 Reservoir, also known locally as Bowman Bottoms Fishing Hole. The route is easy to follow and ends at a small gravel and grass parking area near the water. The launch area consists of a natural grave...
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Bork Falls Road, also known partly as Regent Lane and Cedar Grove Road and featuring the Goreville Waterfall, is a gravel road through Johnson County, Illinois. It provides access to the western section of Ferne Clyffe State Park and Bork Falls. The road is generally well-maintained, featuring only ...
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Millstone Bluffs Trailhead is accessed by a maintained gravel road within Shawnee National Forest that leads to a large parking area for hikers. The route is easy to follow and provides straightforward access to one of the area’s popular trail systems. At the end of the road, visitors will find a sp...
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Lingle Creek Road is a road through the Southern Central Illinois landscape. Clocking in at 3.6 miles the road parallels Lingle Creek as it etches into the country hillsides and farmland of the area. The road features two low-water bridges that could see flash flooding during heavy rain. The road al...
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This route follows a gravel road within Shawnee National Forest and leads to the Hickory Point Boat Ramp at Lake of Egypt. At the Y-intersection, this route branches away from the campground access and continues toward the water. The road surface is similar throughout, consisting of gravel with some...
Learn more about Hickory Point Boat Ramp - FS 871

This route leads to a primitive campground area within Shawnee National Forest overlooking Lake of Egypt. The trail follows a partially maintained gravel road with frequent tree limbs overhanging that may limit access for larger vehicles. Due to tight clearances, this route is best suited for truck ...
Learn more about Lake Of Egypt Campground Drive - FS 871A

East Detla Road, is the eastern section of the road going through Shawnee National Forest connecting the Opossum Trot Trail System to Elco, IL. The road is a steady uphill climb when headed west, gaining 275 feet over it's trek. The gravel road is mild and only shows slight rutting, washing, and mou...
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Burner Hill FSR 620 is an old gravel forestry road in the southern area of the Mississippi Bluffs sector of Shawnee National Forest. The road seems near-forgotten, and shows little signs of use or maintenance. Fallen trees add to the fun and challenge of weaving your way to the top of the road. The ...
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Whitney Hollow Road is an easy 2.7-mile gravel route through the Shawnee National Forest, perfect for stock four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and overland rigs seeking a scenic dirt alternative to regional pavement. Connecting the Silica Hill section to the Opossum Trot section of the forest, the tra...
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Wilderness Retreat Road is a scenic 2.5-mile gravel connector trail in the Shawnee National Forest, perfect for beginners and seasoned drivers looking to stay off the pavement between more challenging routes. This easy-going dirt and gravel route features a mild 193-foot elevation gain as it winds t...
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The South Silica Hill Road is a gravel road headed south off the Silica Hill trail system through Shawnee National Forest. It is a gravel road at the base, featuring a mild-grade hill from where it branches south off the SFR 645. This hill features a campsite cut-out perfect for overlanding. Then th...
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The West Silica Hill Road SFR 645 is a 1.3-mile-long forestry road through Shawnee National Forest. As you travel the road, grades come in waves from gradual incline to steep grades. These steep grades include tight turns, medium-sized ruts, bare dirt sections, and some mild water collection spots. ...
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Opossum Trot Road SFR 628 is a scenic well-maintained gravel road through Shawnee National Forest. The trail features great views and ease of driving, but if you are looking for a thrill, it has a few branch trails that lead off it with some medium to hard challenges. Overall, the Opossum Trot is yo...
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Bell Smith Springs Trailhead Access is a gravel and partially paved road within Shawnee National Forest that leads to the main hiking trailhead and campground area at Bell Smith Springs. The route is easy to navigate and suitable for most vehicles, making it a primary access point for visitors to th...
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Grabber SFR 264 is a 1.7-mile-long forestry road through Shawnee National Forest. It traverses some of the steepest graveled hills in the SW corner of the forest, climbing a total of 406 feet from its entry point to its highest point. It has mild rutting on nearly all inclines, some being medium in ...
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Burden Falls Road is a gravel route within Shawnee National Forest that connects the small community of McCormick to Burden Falls Road (402). The road is generally easy to follow and consists of typical forest gravel terrain with occasional uneven sections. This route provides a quieter, more scenic...
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Delta Road and Moad Hollow Road are the precursors to the Opossum Trot Trail System within Shawnee National Forest. This gravel road features an easy cruise leading you through the Illinois countryside showing off its lowland valley beauty. You'll eventually be going into the rolling hills of Shawne...
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Bell Smith Spring Rope Swing Trail is a gravel road within Shawnee National Forest that leads to a spring-fed swimming area known for its rope swings and deep water access. The route is easy to navigate and follows a typical forest gravel surface with minimal obstacles. At the end of the trail, visi...
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The N Hamburg Hill Spur 266AA, within Shawnee National Forest, is a trail that once was traversable by full-width vehicles, but in its current state should only be trekked by dirt bikes and 4-wheelers, within the first .1 mile there is a turnaround/parking area to unload, but from there on, the trai...
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McCraven SFR 220 is a very scenic nature-viewing gravel road in Shawnee National Forest. It is a very easy trail with a minimal challenge, but there are a few muddy crossings and water collection spots within its medium-grade graveled hills. It also features a couple of branch trails, the SFR 504 an...
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The Slick Ridge FSR 262G is a mildly challenging natural fire road that has the reward of a great view of Shawnee National Forest. It features an off-camber eroded section that will test your articulation and clearances. It runs you through several small mud holes and a small grade with tree roots. ...
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The Amax Trail can be seen from the main gate to Little Egypt Off Road and is the westernmost main trail on the property. It traverses from alongside Old Route 13 to the Boundary Trail on the south end. The Amax Trail overlooks the creek bottoms that make up the southwest corner of the property, a g...
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Lingle Creek Road is a road through the Southern Central Illinois landscape. Clocking in at 3.6 miles the road parallels Lingle Creek as it etches into the country hillsides and farmland of the area. The road features two low-water bridges that could see flash flooding during heavy rain. The road al...
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Opossum Trot Road SFR 628 is a scenic well-maintained gravel road through Shawnee National Forest. The trail features great views and ease of driving, but if you are looking for a thrill, it has a few branch trails that lead off it with some medium to hard challenges. Overall, the Opossum Trot is yo...
Learn more about Opossum Trot Road SFR 628

Atwood Road SFR 266 is a Shawnee National Forest state forest road that travels to the old Atwood lookout tower site. The hill's grade is one of the steepest and tallest in the area right at a 500-foot elevation climb within 1.5 miles. The road features sections of well-maintained gravel along with ...
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As a branch of Atwood Road 266, the Hamburg 266A is a bit more of an offroading road and less of a scenic road within Shawnee National Forest. It has an off-camber hill within .2 of the entrance followed by many water collection areas that get muddy, the gravel fades in on the hilltops and out in th...
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