Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
 

Recreation


Candy Branch Rifle Range Recreation on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests is as varied as the South Carolina landscape from the mountains to the coast.

The Enoree Ranger District is well-known for its recreation opportunities on the Enoree, Tyger and Broad rivers, as well as a challenging off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail.

The Long Cane Ranger District is home to the Forks Area Trail System, an internationally known biking trail network. Both piedmont districts offer outstanding hiking, boating, hunting, target shooting and equestrian opportunities.

The Andrew Pickens Ranger District is home to the wild and scenic Chattooga River, a popular angling and whitewater destination. The Ellicott Rock Wilderness offers opportunities for solitude and primitive camping. The district also has numerous waterfalls and hiking trails to satisfy every challenge level.

The Francis Marion Ranger District has four wilderness areas, one of which features a nine-mile canoe trail. Recreation on the coast ranges from OHV trail riding to hiking, hunting and fishing.

Motorcycle on forest trail Call Before You Haul!

Please check the Call Before You Haul telephone hotline at (803) 561-4025 for the most recent trail closures and openings. The hotline will provide you with the most current updates. Trails are frequently closed after prolonged or heavy rainfall when usage would result in resource damage. The website is updated on weekdays only. It is not updated on weekends or federal holidays.

Please note: The date recorded in the hotline trail report reflects the date the trail was opened or closed. The message will remain the same until the open/closed status changes.

Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
Cedar Creek Rifle Range Open to Visitor
Cedar Springs OHV Trail Open to Visitor
Cherry Hill Recreation Area Open to Visitor
Enoree OHV Trail Open to Visitor
Enoree Passage of the Palmetto Trail    The first bridge before mile marker 4 is out due to storm damage.  Trail users may find crossing impassable during high water.
Hell Hole Closed to Visitor Until further notice, Hell Hole is open for walk-in day-use only. Due to recent resource damage and the lack of sanitation facilities, Hell Hole is closed to overnight camping and vehicle access.
Long Cane Horse Trail    A section of the trail is closed from Candy Branch (FS 518) to the east side of the bridge on Long Cane Creek (Point J). A new project is in the planning phase to improve the ford at Long Cane Creek. Please check back for updates on the section's reopening.
Parson's Mountain OHV Trail Open to Visitor
Tyger River Canoe Trail    Gordon's Bridge is no longer open to public use. Please refer to the printable guide and vicinity map for alternative access points.
Wambaw Cycle Trail (North Loop) Open to Visitor
Wambaw Cycle Trail (South Loop) Open to Visitor
Woods Ferry Recreation Area Open to Visitor

Spotlights

Buck Hall Recreation Area

Buck Hall boat launch

This premier recreation area is situated on the site of the old Buck Hall plantation just six miles southeast of McClellanville. Its location on the Intracoastal Waterway provides the best access to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, 65,000 acres of marsh, tidal creeks and beaches and Bulls Bay, the best area for shrimp baiting on the coast.

Click here for a printable guide and vicinity map.