Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Cobden, Illinois

North Forest Road is the gravel-based southern forest loop within the Illinois Trail of Tears State Forest. It features a one-way track from the eastern entry to the west exit on the paved State Forest Road. The area features a yearly closure from December 24th to the end of the wild Turkey Season (...
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South Forest Road is the gravel-based southern forest loop within the Illinois Trail of Tears State Forest. It features a one-way track from the western entry to the east exit on the paved State Forest Road. The area features a yearly closure from December 24th to the end of the wild Turkey Season (...
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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...
Learn more about Hamburg SFR 266A

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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This is a maintained gravel road with an occasional flat natural rock sticking up in the middle of the road. This trail features beautiful tall pines and areas you can see for miles. The road leads up a steep grade that may include washboards and mild washes when the season is wet and conditions are...
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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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SFR 743/743A offers a scenic and moderately challenging descent through the dense canopy of the Shawnee National Forest, making it an excellent short adventure for offroaders looking to test their traction. Branching off Natural Bridge Road (SFR 750) near the Pomona Natural Bridge, this 1.4-mile tra...
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Muddy Levee Road, not to be confused with Big Muddy Levee Road, is the gravel levee road along the southeast side of Big Muddy River, crossing over Levee District land, and Shawnee National Forest, to enter the LaRue-Pine Hills Natural Research Area. The road is commonly used as the gateway access t...
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LaRue Road FS 345, Scatters Road, or North LaRue Road to differentiate it from the Snake Road, is a maintained gravel road with easement over privately owned Jackson County land and Shawnee National Forest, within the LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Natural Area, a part of the greater Mississip...
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Pine Hills Road SFR 236 within Shawnee National Forest is a very lovely gravel Shawnee National Forest Road with access to hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and a campground all in one. Its biggest obstacles are a few steep grades with lite water washes, mounding loose gravel, and mild washboarding. ...
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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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Snake Road FS 345 or South LaRue Road, is a maintained gravel road in Shawnee National Forest, within the LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Natural Area, a part of the greater Mississippi Bluffs unit. Snake Road gets its name from the local snakes that migrate over the road between the limestone ...
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Rattlesnake Ferry - FS 345 is maintained gravel transforming to a natural forest service road in Shawnee National Forest, north of the LaRue-Pine Hills/Otter Pond Research Natural Area, a part of the greater Mississippi Bluffs unit. The Rattlesnake Ferry features smoother gravel from the higher elev...
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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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Lingle Creek Road is an ideal, beginner-friendly gravel route for four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and dual-sport motorcycles looking to explore the scenic rolling hills of southern Illinois. Spanning approximately 2.8 miles with a mild elevation gain of 91 feet, the road closely parallels Lingle Cr...
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South Silica Hill Road is a scenic 1-mile gravel route located within the Shawnee National Forest, offering a short but engaging drive for high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles and SxSs. Branching south off the Silica Hill trail system near SFR 645, the trail begins with a mild-grade hill climbin...
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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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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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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...
Learn more about East Delta Road

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...
Learn more about N Hamburg Hill Spur

This is a maintained gravel road with an occasional flat natural rock sticking up in the middle of the road. This trail features beautiful tall pines and areas you can see for miles. The road leads up a steep grade that may include washboards and mild washes when the season is wet and conditions are...
Learn more about Natural Bridge Road

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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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 ...
Learn more about Atwood Road SFR 266

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...
Learn more about Hamburg SFR 266A

This is a maintained gravel road with an occasional flat natural rock sticking up in the middle of the road. This trail features beautiful tall pines and areas you can see for miles. The road leads up a steep grade that may include washboards and mild washes when the season is wet and conditions are...
Learn more about Natural Bridge Road

Lingle Creek Road is an ideal, beginner-friendly gravel route for four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and dual-sport motorcycles looking to explore the scenic rolling hills of southern Illinois. Spanning approximately 2.8 miles with a mild elevation gain of 91 feet, the road closely parallels Lingle Cr...
Learn more about Lingle Creek Road