Palmer Road - WCR 643

Trail Overview

Palmer Road or Washington County Road 643, 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 use as an official Rally Stage in the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood (Spring-March) and the Show-Me Rally (Fall-November), and it closes on the days of these two events annually. Palmer Road, follows the southern ridge of the Parole Lake area, staring down into the Town Branch Creek valley to the south and the Stringtown Branch Creek to the north, giving an edge-of-seat feeling when looking at the curves with sudden drop-offs and no guardian trees. Palmer Road is short and sweet, slowly changing the 300+ feet in elevation spread throughout the whole track, having one near 90-degree medium-hard turn, with the rest being mild-medium flowing bends with plentiful straightaways. The road connects the Brazil Road to the Pigeon Roost Road and logistically connects between three FS roads. Come drive the scenic stage that the Rally tears through, just at a normal-day safe speed! Rally in the 100 Acre Wood action photos provided by Brad Plant Photography.

Photos of Palmer Road - WCR 643

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Difficulty

Palmer Road is given a base rating of 1/10, only having mild surface mud and occasionally feeling soft as if the front wheels are plowing through the damp areas, otherwise being a wide gravel-dirt mix road through the woods. It is safe to expect all the normal gravel road complications of washboards, mounding, and potholes.

History

Palmer Road, being the medium between Parole and Howell Lakes, relates to the history of those two lakes. Using old topo maps, they would suggest the formation of the two lakes resulted in dams being built between 1971 and 1986. But, when researching the dam's inspection records and information Parole's Dam was completed in 1968, and later modified in 1986, while Howell's data suggested it was built in 1954, and later modified in 1990. In both cases, the Lakes had been formed long before the topo maps caught on and displayed them.Founded in 1977, the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood has been a driver favorite since its inception. Sweeping turns and fast straights make this one of the fastest rallies on the calendar. Commitment and confidence are key. One of the most important places to commit? The rally's famous cattle guard jump that sees cars fly over 100 feet. 2025 marks the 30th running of this historic event, and the event is third as a part of the American Rally Association National Championship Series. In recent years, downtown Potosi has shut down part of North Missouri Street after the Rally to allow fans to get up close and personal with the competition rally cars parked along the strip; sometimes drivers are known to show and mingle with fans. Notable Stats: Ken Block won here 7 times , and the closest margin of victory was 7 seconds in 2007. March 14-15th 2025 was the 30th running of the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood.

Technical Rating

Palmer Road - WCR 643 can be accessed by the following ride types:

• High-Clearance 4x4
• SUV