Trail Overview

Gale Trail Road (or the 272) is a Shawnee Nation Forest gravel nature viewing trail that has slowly degraded into a trail that gives a challenge, yet remains scenic. The farther west you go, the less maintained and tighter it gets. Expect ruts, medium-grade hills, occasional mud pits, and split-up sections of gravel road that slowly fade into a solid natural dirt trail.

Photos of Gale Trail Road FSR 272

Want to see more?
View All Photos

Difficulty

Gale Trail Rd (272) was a once well maintained nature viewing gravel road that has evolved into a trail that only seems to get less maintained as you travel deeper within, it features a gatekeeping rutted off-cambered hill within the first half mile that will give you a thrill for what is ahead. Though 30-40% is still beautiful gravel covered nature viewing roads, the trail progressively degrades to be more narrow, mostly natural trail, with more rutted hills, also including mud pits at the bottom of every valley. Rainy seasons and wet conditions make the difficulty of this trail increase.

History

This Trail and the 273 used to seamlessly connect, bridging the gap between two roads of the local Gale, IL area, unfortunately, the 273 was closed and is no longer OHV legal to use, but can still be walked starting at the west end of the 272.

Technical Rating

Bryan Doyle

Oct 13, 2024

Open

Actually a few spots of mud. They have cut up some trees that look like it has been done lately that may have been blocking the trail. Exceeded the end of the trail and was difficult to get turned around 1 way in 1 way out

Jay Bennett

Jul 28, 2024

Open

Entered on the far (east) end of the trail, about halfway through came across some downed trees but were able to leverage them out of the way.unfortunately was stopped roughly 3/4 of the way in by an immovable downed tree. Had rained a little today but the road is super fun! Definitely some mud holes and ruts but nothing too bad, spent most of the time in 2WD. A rwd vehicle with good clearance should be able to make it

Noah warren

Apr 22, 2024

Open

Approximately 18” diameter tree across the trail. It’s about 3/4 the way down , near the end. Very fresh, still has green leafs on it.

Justin Case

Apr 06, 2024

Open

fairly easy trail didn't really need 4wd until the end of the trail marked on here it does go on further and get rather technical with a few mud Holes and rutted pathways and it does wash out on top of a hill but it's passable with a careful line I had to turn around because of tree in the way so I recommend a saw

Jared Wilke

Apr 06, 2024

Open