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  • Current Weather
  • Beginner / Intermediate
  • 7.5 miles
  • Multiple Loops
  • Illinois

This trail system is made up of more than 7.5 miles of tight, twisty, all-dirt singletrack in 6 separate trails. Modest elevation gain, thick forest, and smooth hardpack make for rides which will satisfy every rider from beginner to advanced. The trails were designed in such a way that they would be a place not only for beginners to try out mountain biking, but also to allow more advanced riders an opportunity to test their bike handling skills by riding the narrow trails at a more rapid pace.

They are built partially on the site of an old outdoor amphitheater from the 1970’s, better known as the “Mississippi River Festival.” The trails are easily accessible from the numerous bike paths that intertwine the Metro-East, so if you live in the area, driving to the trails is not necessarily required. While all the trails are designed to IMBA standards, because of the all-dirt surface, it is recommended that you not ride these trails immediately following rain.

Please download a map and take it with you, so you will be able to find all the loops, as they are spread out among numerous cross-country running trails.

Directions

Take hwy 255 North past Interstate 270, to New Poag Road. Turn Right or East at the end of the exit ramp. Stay on New Poag Road until the first intersection with a 4 way stop sign. This will be University Drive. Turn Right onto University Drive. The road will immediately bend to the left, at the end of the bend on your right is a gravel road, turn onto the gravel road.

For those of you approaching by bike, there is a trailhead for Trail 2 off of the Delyte Morris Bikeway, which bisects the SIUE campus from Stadium Drive, and eventually connects with the Watershed Bikeway. The trailhead is in between Cougar Lake Dr. and University Dr., just to the east of campus. There is also a trailhead on Trail 3 at the back of Cougar Village behind the Northwestern-most collection of apartments.

Latest trail conditions

Our site utilizes crowd-sourced data to provide the latest conditions and that includes you. Be sure you are logged in first or set up a free account before updating a trail condition.

Update trail condition

10

Oct 2024

From Keith Kibort on Thursday:
SIUE - Trails are very nice. Trail 4 behind Cougar village has a clump of trees across trail that are tough to cross over. Will need a sawyer. Also a tree broke off on trail 5 that looks like it come down anytime. There is an event there this weekend. Get out and ride. Thanks to all trail maintenance crews. Keep up the good work.

04

Oct 2024

From dewey mathews on Friday:
SIUE - Rode trails 12456 and all were in good shape. These trails are starting to get some pine needles and leaves and can be a little slippery. Big tree down on 3 and 5 has some storm debris. Otherwise are clear and trimmed, and fantastic 🙌 enjoy.

07

Sep 2024

From dewey mathews on Saturday:
SIUE - Perfecto 💯⚡️⚡️⚡️

26

Aug 2024

From dewey mathews on Monday:
SIUE - Rode trails 12456 and all were in good shape. These trails are clear and trimmed, dare i say in just about perfecto shape.......Thank you as always to those who maintain the trails 🙌

20

Aug 2024

From Demian Select Farnworth on Tuesday:
SIUE - Lovely flight through 1 3 4 and 6. Somebody must have gone before me because there were no spider webs. 🤓 Conditions are primo, maintenance is superb. Thank you to the trail stewards. These are trails to be proud of.