Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Junction, Illinois

High Knob Trail is a gravel route within Shawnee National Forest that travels through an equestrian campground before climbing to a scenic overlook. Drivers should use caution when passing through the campground area, yielding to horses and minimizing speed and dust. The trail gradually gains elevat...
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The Cadiz Campground Trail begins within Shawnee National Forest at Cadiz Campground, a primitive-style campground that offers designated campsites with fire pits, restroom facilities, and a water fill spigot. The route starts as a maintained gravel road and provides easy access from within the camp...
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River to River Trail is a gravel route within Shawnee National Forest that provides access to backcountry hiking and equestrian trails. The road is generally easy to follow and travels through a more remote section of the forest, offering a quieter experience for those looking to explore beyond main...
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Golden Circle Trail is a short, relatively easy route with beautiful scenery and plenty of reasons to slow down and explore. Near the entrance, striking layers of sandstone rise alongside the trail, softened by moss and vegetation, with several small caves and rock formations that are easily accessi...
Learn more about Golden Circle - FS 1621

The Eagle Mountain Fire Road is a gravel service road through the Eagle Mountain area in the most northern section of the Hidden Springs sector of Shawnee National Forest. The road acts as a main artery road that most of the other trails in the area are connected to or even loop back to. It is mostl...
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Stone Face Lane/Recreation Area FS 1453 is a gravel access road to the hiking trail and scenic bluff rock overlook of the same name. It is a part of the Eagle Mountain area within the Hidden Springs sector of Shawnee National Forest. The lane is short but provides a great place to stage and meet up ...
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A fun, increasingly primitive forest trail that starts relatively easy with mild rock gardens, shallow muddy ruts, and occasional off-camber sections before steadily tightening as you travel deeper into the woods. Expect significant overgrowth and pinstriping throughout. About halfway in, the trail ...
Learn more about Kaskaskia Woods Trail

Wamble Mountain Spur Road FS 707A is a natural-improved trail in Shawnee National Forest near the Eagle Mountain area, within the Hidden Springs Sector. The FS 707A is best described as your uncle's secret hunting road; few know about it, and the entrance gives the vibe that no one uses it. However,...
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Richland Ridge Trail serves as a main north-to-south artery through this part of Shawnee National Forest, with several side trails branching off along the way that invite further exploration. The route travels through beautiful hardwood forest and is generally easygoing, making it more about enjoyin...
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Goose Ridge Trail is a gravel route within Shawnee National Forest that offers a straightforward out-and-back drive through forest terrain. The road is generally easy to follow, with some ruts that may develop after rainfall and occasional tree limbs overhanging the route. This trail provides a rela...
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Whoopie Cat Lake Trail is a gravel road within Shawnee National Forest that leads to a quiet lake access point with a small gravel boat ramp and parking area. The route is easy to follow and consists of typical forest gravel terrain. The launch area is best suited for small boats, kayaks, canoes, an...
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Shelby Cemetery Trail is a route within Shawnee National Forest that begins as a gravel road before transitioning into a narrower path with mud, grass, and increasing vegetation overgrowth. At the beginning of the trail, there is an old cemetery along with access to hiking trails and a small primiti...
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Dutton Chapel Road is a gravel route within Shawnee National Forest that serves as a connector to other trails in the area, including Benham Hill Trail and One Horse Gap Lake Trail. The road is generally easy to follow and consists of typical forest gravel terrain. Along the route, drivers may encou...
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One Horse Gap Lake Trail is a gravel road within Shawnee National Forest that leads to a quiet lakeside access point with several primitive camping opportunities along the way. The route is easy to follow and suitable for most 2WD vehicles, though sections of tree overhang may limit clearance for ta...
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Benham Hill Trail is a gravel route within Shawnee National Forest that provides access to both recreational driving and nearby equestrian and hiking trail systems. The route begins at a large parking area designed for equestrian use, offering space for trailers and staging before entering the trail...
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Burden Falls Trail is a gravel road within Shawnee National Forest that provides access to multiple hiking points leading to Burden Falls. The route is easy to follow and consists of typical forest gravel terrain with minimal obstacles. Along the trail, visitors will find several access points for h...
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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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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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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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Glen Street Trail is a scenic main artery through this section of Shawnee National Forest, providing access to dispersed campsites, numerous side trails and the spectacular Jackson Falls area. The trail is somewhat rougher than other primary routes nearby, with deeper puddles, rainwater erosion, exp...
Learn more about Glen Street

Golden Circle Trail is a short, relatively easy route with beautiful scenery and plenty of reasons to slow down and explore. Near the entrance, striking layers of sandstone rise alongside the trail, softened by moss and vegetation, with several small caves and rock formations that are easily accessi...
Learn more about Golden Circle - FS 1621

A fun, increasingly primitive forest trail that starts relatively easy with mild rock gardens, shallow muddy ruts, and occasional off-camber sections before steadily tightening as you travel deeper into the woods. Expect significant overgrowth and pinstriping throughout. About halfway in, the trail ...
Learn more about Kaskaskia Woods Trail

Richland Ridge Trail serves as a main north-to-south artery through this part of Shawnee National Forest, with several side trails branching off along the way that invite further exploration. The route travels through beautiful hardwood forest and is generally easygoing, making it more about enjoyin...
Learn more about Richland Ridge Road

Glen Street Trail is a scenic main artery through this section of Shawnee National Forest, providing access to dispersed campsites, numerous side trails and the spectacular Jackson Falls area. The trail is somewhat rougher than other primary routes nearby, with deeper puddles, rainwater erosion, exp...
Learn more about Glen Street

Golden Circle Trail is a short, relatively easy route with beautiful scenery and plenty of reasons to slow down and explore. Near the entrance, striking layers of sandstone rise alongside the trail, softened by moss and vegetation, with several small caves and rock formations that are easily accessi...
Learn more about Golden Circle - FS 1621

A fun, increasingly primitive forest trail that starts relatively easy with mild rock gardens, shallow muddy ruts, and occasional off-camber sections before steadily tightening as you travel deeper into the woods. Expect significant overgrowth and pinstriping throughout. About halfway in, the trail ...
Learn more about Kaskaskia Woods Trail

Richland Ridge Trail serves as a main north-to-south artery through this part of Shawnee National Forest, with several side trails branching off along the way that invite further exploration. The route travels through beautiful hardwood forest and is generally easygoing, making it more about enjoyin...
Learn more about Richland Ridge Road

Glen Street Trail is a scenic main artery through this section of Shawnee National Forest, providing access to dispersed campsites, numerous side trails and the spectacular Jackson Falls area. The trail is somewhat rougher than other primary routes nearby, with deeper puddles, rainwater erosion, exp...
Learn more about Glen Street