Sumter National Forest continues opening sites closed due to Hurricane Helene

UPDATE:

• The Long Cane Ranger District has cleared two parking lots and two trail heads. In addition, they have completed 90% of the district's bridge assessments. They began clearing the Forks Area Trail (FATS) and it will take sometime before the downed trees are cut out in order to ride. We will keep you posted when the trail is ready to access. 
• The Enoree Ranger District has cut open roads and some closed roads needed for contractors to access. The OHV trail is now open. They have cut open 25-percent of district trails, which is revealing damged board walks and bridges.
• Long Cane Ranger District opens three hunt camps, a rifle range, two recreation sites, plus Lick Fork Lake and Parsons Mountain Recreation areas.

Columbia, SC – Oct. 31, 2024 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE; The Andrew Pickens, and Enoree Ranger Districts on the Sumter National Forest opened on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024.  Initial response and assessment of damage caused by Hurricane Helene continues in areas impacted by the storm. See additional sites opened on these two districts below.

The Long Cane Ranger District remains to have some areas closed due to hazards and the need for assessments, except for the sites below that opened on October 18th and 30th. 

The other sites below showing "NEW" are now open and the other sites remain closed. We appreciate your patience as our employees continue working to clear the remaining hazards. 

Enoree Ranger District sites:

Woods Ferry Day Use - Campground and Picnic Area now opened "NEW"
Enoree OHV Trail - Now open - "NEW"
Sedalia Lake - Now open - "NEW"
Wildcat Lake - Now open - "NEW"
Macedonia Lake - Now open - "NEW"
Johns Creek Lake - Now open - "NEW"

Andrew Pickens Ranger District sites:

Riley Moore Falls Train - Now open - "NEW"
Russell Farmstead - Now open - "NEW"
Lower portion of the Brasstown Falls Trail (below the first viewing platform) - temporarily closed
Cherry Hill Campground - Now open - "NEW"
Whetstone Horse Camp - Now open - "NEW"
Brass Town Falls (lower section - viewing platform - temporarily closed

Long Cane Ranger District

Lick Fork Lake and Parsons Mountain Recreation Areas - water available at both sites - area trails are not accessible due to downed timber -  Now open - "NEW"
Midway Hunt Camp, Morrow Bridge Hunt Camp, and Fell Hunt Camp - Now open - "NEW"
Beaver Dam Rifle Range - Now open - "NEW"

The initial response was to take care of our employees and ensure their wellbeing while we started the huge task of cleaning up and reopening. Forest Service employees have done significant work to be able to invite the public to enjoy some recreation sites on the Enoree and Andrew Pickens Ranger Districts while our hurricane response work continues in other areas of the forest.

Hurricane damage may have weakened trees along trails associated with open recreation sites. Be alert for falling trees and limbs and use at your own risk.  Do not attempt to cross damaged bridges. All OHV trails on the Forest remain closed. Cell service may be less reliable than normal and emergency response may not be available.

Crews are diligently working to reopen additional recreation sites and roads as soon as assessments can be completed. We ask for your help in adhering to emergency closures on the Forest. Entering closed areas puts our employees and the public at risk. For the most current information, please check out the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests webpage or by phone at (803) 561-4000 for further information.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

We appreciate your patience during this recovery period and ask that you refrain from recreational activities until the Temporary Forest Closure Order is lifted, please check out our Hurricane Helene FAQs. For more information on hurricane safety, visit Ready.gov.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.