Beginner Off-Road Trails Near Festus, Missouri

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…
Learn more about Bidwell FSR 2199

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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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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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)

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

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

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

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

On the northern portion of the park, this can take you from the back of the lake over to Ridge Road or also back towards the beginning of the lake shore loop. It can spur…
Learn more about Heinke Hills

At the northern part of the park, you can find some muddy trails, deep ruts, and nasty holes waiting for those willing to see if they can work through them. Going from Brandon's Cut to…
Learn more about The Rock

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…
Learn more about Lake Shore Loop

This track is an easy ride down to the lake at Pruitt Mountain. You're encouraged to swim and enjoy the lake and camp area year-round. The turnaround and back half of the lake loop can…
Learn more about Lake Shore Loop

If you're starting from the Ridge Road side of the trail, you'll be met with a pretty nasty washout. Depending on which side of the wash you're on, there is one bypass. This is a…
Learn more about Happy Hollow

This trail starts at either the far corner of the field or at the start of Ridge Road. This low-lying trail features a few mud spots and hills closer to the Ridge Road side of…
Learn more about Jeepers Sleepers

Starting at the top ridge just before Happy Hollow, you'll find a nasty washout followed by the main ridge, where you'll find Uncle and other trail heads. As you make your way north, you'll see…
Learn more about Ridge Run North

Also spurring off of Ridge Road, this trail is a bit more on the moderate side, but will run relatively parallel with Happy Hollow, but with a bit more hills. Keep in mind the spurs…
Learn more about Happy Hills

Connecting you from the ridge to the start of the Oasis Easy Trail. This is mainly just to save the trouble of going around. Good scenic terrain, nothing majorly difficult, although the area is prone…
Learn more about Eastern Landing

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

The second half of the eastern escape is a much more modest climb up to the main ridge. Starting from the T at Wow Cut Through. The left takes you up the mountain a little…
Learn more about Eastern Upper

Starting off the main ridge, this bonus trail is cut through the rock croppings surrounding the main barn on the property, taking you over large granite croppings and some nice axle grabbers, so be mindful…
Learn more about Rocky Ridge Loop

Wow escape leads to the bottom of the ridge, where you'll find great views, good camping, and a relatively moderate trail featuring some loose terrain and medium-sized rocks. Be mindful of the traffic. During events,…
Learn more about Wow Escape

Wow Express is a beautiful trail leading you to an even more beautiful ridge on the mountain, where you'll find wow and a few other very gnarly obstacles. There are a few rock obstacles along…
Learn more about Wow Express

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

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…
Learn more about Mount Gilead Church FSR 2148

Rugged cross name says it all, it's a rugged rocky trail, although not super technical, a good fun trail for a more novice explorer. Coming from jeepers sleepers, it'll take you up the mountain up…
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Pruitt Run Byway is a long stretch of trail bypassing all the obstacles along Ridge Road. It's mainly used for emergency access, but very helpful in case of needing to be pulled across the ridge…
Learn more about Pruitt Run Byway

Starting at the intersection of eastern escape and working down towards WOW. As much as this is an "access" road to the southern areas in the park, it comes with its own challenges, starting with…
Learn more about Southern Ridge Run

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

Coming out of the mountain, heading down to the main field or check-in office, you can check out this little section of trail that can be fun, especially in wet conditions. This barn will actually…
Learn more about Red Barn Road

This trail spurs off of its main trail (southern cross), although it can be an easier option, helpful for passing during busy times. Be mindful of this area as it can be steep, and two-way…
Learn more about Southern Spur