Massac County Ohio River Bottoms Coal Haul Historic Circuit
Industrial ruins in river bottom wilderness
This forgotten network of dirt roads was carved in the 1920s to haul coal from strip mines to Ohio River barges near Brookport. The main route follows Massac Creek through dense bottomland forest, passing the foundations of Company Store #3 and crossing several seasonal creeks on rickety wooden bridges. The highlight is reaching the ghost town of Coalport, where concrete loading ramps still jut into the river and rusted conveyor towers stand sentinel over cottonwood groves.
Easy driving in dry conditions, but these clay-based roads become impassable soup after rain — locals call it “gumbo mud.” Any vehicle with decent ground clearance works during dry spells, but 4WD recommended during wet seasons. Spring flooding can close access for weeks. No permits needed, and excellent primitive camping along the Ohio River bluffs. This is industrial archaeology at its finest, where nature is slowly reclaiming Illinois’ coal mining heritage.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 18 mi / 29 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 420 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD |
| Nearest town | Brookport, Illinois |
| Land manager | Private/Public mix |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock truck or SUV with 2WD handle this trail?
Yes — minimum is high-clearance 2WD, so a stock F-150 or Tacoma on all-terrains is fine. 4WD helps if the dirt has soaked up recent rain, but this is flat river bottom terrain with only 280 feet of total elevation gain.
When is this trail passable and what closes it down?
Best season is June through October. Ohio River bottomland floods unpredictably in spring, and wet winters turn the dirt surface into a mud trap that can strand even 4WD rigs. Don't push it outside that window without checking local flood stage reports first.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp here?
The route crosses a mix of private and public land, so there's no single permit system — dispersed camping is available on the public portions, but respect posted private property boundaries. No fees are known for public access sections, but that can change; confirm with local contacts before you go.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
Nothing on this trail is technically demanding — the difficulty rating is Easy and the terrain reflects that. The main challenge is navigating deteriorated Depression-era road beds through dense bottomland brush where the route can become indistinct; a GPS track loaded before you leave is essential.
There's no cell service out here — how far is the nearest gas and how do I plan for emergencies?
Brookport, Illinois is the nearest town and has basic services; fuel up there before you drop into the bottoms because you won't find it on trail. With zero cell service across the entire 18-mile circuit, carry a satellite communicator — a PLB or inReach — as your only realistic emergency contact option.
Trail track
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