Meeman-Shelby Forest Hiking

Warning Alert

Road Closed Due to Erosion

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Due to erosion issues, One Way Road, past the campground at Meeman-Shelby, is closed. Please don't try to access these areas for your safety.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions about your upcoming reservation, please call 1 (888) 867-2757.

Tall trees reflected in a calm lake at sunset.

Two people walking on a sunny, forest path with autumn leaves.

Hiking at Meeman-Shelby Forest  

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park offers more than 20 miles of trails that wind throughout the park. Trails range from moderate to very rugged and some are multi-use. Trail and topography maps are available at the visitor center.

Trails

Bike Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Distance

2.50 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Paved

The multi-use Bike Trail weaves through the forest and accommodates strollers.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Biking Hiking all_terrain_wheelchair

Bike Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

The multi-use Bike Trail weaves through the forest and accommodates strollers.

Distance

2.50 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Paved

Allowed

Biking Hiking all_terrain_wheelchair

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 148.70'

Loss 207.30'

Grade

Typical 2.7%

Max 21.6%

Cross Slope

Typical 2.4%

Max 11.3%

Tread Width

Typical 53"

Minimum 1"

Surface Type

Asphalt 99.8%; Gravel 0.2%

Obstructions Exist

Water crossing: 24 in deep; Broken asphalt: 6 in deep; Broken asphalt: 3 in deep

Canoe Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Chickasaw Bluff Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Distance

3.55 mi.

Difficulty

Moderate

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Horse Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Distance

8.00 mi.

Difficulty

Easy

Surface

Natural

Open to horses and hikers, this trail meanders along a bluff with the largest loop overlooking Poplar Tree Lake. Horse trail closes for inclement weather and wet conditions.

Availability
Open

Allowed
Horseback Riding

Pioneer Springs Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Distance

2.50 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

The trail runs along the borders of the upland bluff and bottomland forests.

Availability
Open Seasonal

Allowed
Hiking

Pioneer Springs Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

The trail runs along the borders of the upland bluff and bottomland forests.

Distance

2.50 mi.

Difficulty

Difficult

Surface

Natural

Allowed

Hiking

Trail Type

Information unavailable

Elevation

Gain 504.00'

Loss 240.80'

Grade

Typical 5.3%

Max 35.5%

Cross Slope

Typical 3.5%

Max 23.8%

Tread Width

Typical 26"

Minimum 12"

Surface Type

Soil 92.9%; Sand 2.6%; Wood decking 2.2%; Asphalt 2%; Gravel 0.4%

Obstructions Exist

Drainage dip: 24 in deep; Tree: 21 in of tread remaining; Tree root: 16 in tall

Poplar Tree Lake Water Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Shelter Cove Water Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Distance

—

Difficulty

—

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Woodland Trail

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park

Distance

3.10 mi.

Difficulty

Moderate

Surface

Natural

Availability
Open

Allowed
Hiking

Trail Definitions

Cross Slope 

Describes the degree of incline from one side of the trail path to the other; measured as a percentage. Cross slope aids in water drainage and impacts the overall trail stability.  
Grade 

Describes the rise in elevation over a horizontal distance on the trail; measured as a percentage.  Higher percentages represent a steeper grade indicating a more challenging ascent or descent for hikers.   
Standard Ramp Grade

Serves as a reference guide for the grade of the trail.  Standard Ramp Grade is 8.3% across all trail assessments. 
Surface 

A characteristic of the trail expressed in terms of material type, grading, compaction, and roughness of the path. Possible surface types include soil, gravel, paved, and mulch.  
Tread Width 

Represents the horizontal distance from one edge of the trail path to the other; measurements can vary.  Tread width helps to determine the amount of space a hiker has to pass through. Obstacles on the trail can alter the remaining tread width.  
Trail Types: Loop

Trail returns at or near the point from which you started.
Trail Types: Network

Offers multiple route options within one trail, and each route is connected
Trail Types: Out and Back

This type of trail travels out to an endpoint where hikers turn around and travel back to the starting point.  
Trail Types: Stacked Loop

A loop trail contained completely within another trail.