Trail Overview

The Turkey Trot (FSR 627) and FSR 643 are two trails that seamlessly connect to form one 2-mile trail inside the Opossum Trot Road trail system inside Shawnee National Forest. These trails together range from mild to hard. It starts with narrow rutted ridges with small mud pits and off-camber eroded slopes. It transitions to etched-in trail tunnels with roots for walls. Finally, it becomes a steep downward grade eroded with deep ruts, with signs of past 4WDs struggling to traverse it. This leads to the bottoms where a creek snakes back and forth into the trail's pathway, yielding some washes and steep rocky inclines to climb and potential water crossings. The difficulty of this trail will increase with wet conditions and a rainy season.

Photos of Turkey Trot FSR 627/643

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Difficulty

These two trails together form a trail that tests courage and ability. After rain and a wet season, mixed with a bed of leaves, it is incredibly low traction and slick. Dirt is the main surface, but it also features creek beds and small sections of old gravel road, all being eroded by the rainwater. There are plenty of off-camber areas, sudden drops or inclines, rutted-out areas, and steep grades.

Technical Rating

Jacob Fogle

Jun 01, 2026

Open

Main road is washed out so an entrance was made to the right. Trail goes down to a creek bed and could find the rest of the trail.

Mark Rankin

May 07, 2026

Open

The very beginning is washed out by rains. There are two large culverts laying there to be installed and fix the road. We were able to go through the creek and bypass the washout. We were able to traverse over half the trail with utmost caution. Washouts, mudholes, very narrow track with steep drop offs. As we were descending the last stretch the trail became very steep with two foot rutted washouts and lots of mud. Being 69 & 70 with bad hips and bad knees, we decided to backup and turn around. Not an easy task but we made it. You need a lifted jeep, 35's or better, four low and lockers would help. Very cool beautiful trail if you can make it.

Obadiah kaiser

Oct 04, 2025

Open

Nick schmitt

Oct 19, 2024

Open

This trail looked like it hasn’t been on for awhile. It’s a very fun technical trail. Had a lot of ravines and other obstacles. You will definitely need ground clearance and four wheel drive. About 3/4 of the way through the trail there are several huge trees down.

Garett Goody

Sep 10, 2023

Open

Chris Menz

Jun 15, 2023

Open

Chris Menz

Feb 06, 2023

Open