Crab Orchard Wilderness Coal Haul Road

The old coal haul road cuts deep into Crab Orchard Wilderness, following ridgelines where strip mining operations carved up southern Illinois coal seams through the 1960s. You’ll navigate through second-growth timber and cross Devil’s Kitchen Creek twice, passing rusted mining equipment and reclaimed strip pits now filled with surprisingly clear water. The route connects to Forest Road 402 near the Pounds Hollow area, threading between sandstone bluffs and bottomland hardwoods.

This moderate trail requires high-clearance 4WD for the creek crossings and loose shale sections. Wet weather turns the clay-based surface into a slick mess, so stick to dry conditions April through October. No permits needed in this national forest land, but dispersed camping opportunities are limited due to wilderness boundaries. The payoff is genuine solitude and a glimpse into Illinois’ industrial mining past, plus some surprisingly technical terrain for the Prairie State.