Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Metropolis, Illinois

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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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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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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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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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...
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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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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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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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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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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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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

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...
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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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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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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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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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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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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...
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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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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 ...
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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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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...
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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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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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Opossum Trot Road SFR 628 is an easy, scenic 2.9-mile gravel route through the Shawnee National Forest, making it perfect for beginners, scenic drivers, and those looking for a relaxing escape into nature. Winding through dense hardwood forests in southern Illinois, this well-maintained forest servi...
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