Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Cunningham, Kentucky

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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Wolf Creek Road is a gravel road running through a section of the Shawnee National Forest. It clocks in at 3.8 miles, leading slowly downhill from the hills of the Mississippi Bluffs into the low-laying land of central southern IL. It has 2 concrete-bottomed low-water bridges that may turn into shal...
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Old Goat SFR 625 and 625A is a State Forest Road in Shawnee National Forest. The road is short at only 1.1 miles long, but packs a punch, dipping through a creek bottom shortly after climbing a steep grade while circling around the first main hill. The hill features small ruts and gravel fading to d...
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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...
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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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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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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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Whitney Hollow Road is an easy gravel road, that in conjunction with Wilderness Retreat Road, form access in between the Silica Hill section to the Opossum Trot section of Shawnee National Forest. The Whitney Hollow Road features 2 low water bridges with only mild flow during rain fall, this is back...
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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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The Scott County Road 405, is a sand flat road in lower Scott County, Missouri, which shows one of the more unique terrains the state has to offer. The road features a few turns and bridges crossing over water-diverting channels of the area. The road is mostly sand with gravel near each end, at time...
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Nickell Branch FS 102 is a gravel forestry road through the northwest corner of the Kentucky section, Lake Barkley side, of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The road is graceful and a perfect place to visit if coming into LBL from the northern entrance and seeking a quick and rel...
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Wilderness Retreat Road is a gravel back road, that in conjunction with Whitney Hollow Road, forms access between the Silica Hill section to the Opossum Trot section of Shawnee National Forest. The Wilderness Retreat features three low-water bridges one being Lingle Creek near where the road branche...
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Benberry Cemetery Road FS 301 is a gravel Forest Service road through the northwest corner of the Kentucky section, Lake Barkley side, of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. The Benberry Cemetery Road (also known as Mount Pleasant Cemetery) features a generally easy ride over the ri...
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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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Twin Lakes South FS 105 is a gravel forest service road in the northwest corner of the Kentucky section, Kentucky Lake side, of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. It features a track from one Kentucky Lake cove-side campsite to another cove-side campsite only separated by a single ...
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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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105/106 Connector - FS 106A is a gravel forest service road in the northwest corner of the Kentucky section, Kentucky Lake side, of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. This is one of the shortest examples of a Forest Road within LBL that connects two more prominent roads in the area...
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The Clear Creek Levee Road parallels IL Route 3 North and South connecting the dots with a lot of routes that lead to Shawnee National Forest and other trails. It's a simple gravel road with the occasional pothole or dirt section but is worth adding to your drive if you want to avoid main roads or t...
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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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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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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. ...
Learn more about Slick Ridge FSR 262G

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...
Learn more about McCraven SFR 220

Forest Service Road 119 is a semi-maintained dirt and gravel road that connects FSR 112 and FSR 117 within the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. It is on the northern portion of the park in the area known as 'Tornado Valley' after two tornadoes hit the park in 2021. The road is easily...
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FS 143 is somewhat hidden away from the rest of the Forest Service roads amongst Land Between the Lakes. It is accessed through FS 141. It has a few tight paths through trees and a water crossing through a creekbed. It dead-ends into a power/gas line track and you will have to turn around and come b...
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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

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. ...
Learn more about Slick Ridge FSR 262G

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...
Learn more about Lingle Creek 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...
Learn more about McCraven SFR 220