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Sumter National Forest continues opening sites closed due to Hurricane Helene
UPDATE:
12/19/2024
- Beaver Creek Rifle Range - open
- Fell Hunt Camp - open
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area - open
- Morrow Bridge and Midway Seasonal Hunt Camps - open until Jan. 4, 2025
- Parsons Mountain Recreation Area - open
- Parsons Mountain OHV Trail - open
- Skinny Trail (3-mile section of Forks Rec. Trail) is now open. (Hazardous treee removal continues on FATS trail, still closed.)
- Long Cane Horse Trail - open
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- 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.
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.
From mountains to sea
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests has everything to offer from the Appalachian Mountains to the piedmont pine forests to the Intracoastal Waterway
Getting to Know Your Forest
Four ranger districts in South Carolina: the Andrew Pickens, the Enoree and the Long Cane districts on the Sumter National Forest; and the Francis Marion District on the Francis Marion National Forest offer recreational activities as diverse as their terrain--whether you prefer to hike to a mountain waterfall or paddle a lowcountry swamp wilderness.
You might mountain bike the epic Forks Area Trail System on the Long Cane, or paddle and fish the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River on the Andrew Pickens district. Saddle up and explore a horse trail on any district, or unload your ATV or dirt bike and hone your skills on one of four OHV trails.
The Intracoastal Waterway begs to be explored from Buck Hall boat launch on the Francis Marion, or perhaps you’d prefer to paddle, hunt or fish the three rivers on the Enoree Ranger District. Nine rifle ranges will help maintain your aim for hunting season. There are hiking trails, campgrounds and picnic areas, a human-made shell ring built 4,000 years ago, fishing rodeos and waterfowl hunts for youths and disabled visitors, and an environmental education center that sponsors monthly programs for kids and adults to share the wonders of both the national forest and Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge.
Where would you like to go first?
Interactive Visitor Map: Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
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Sewee Shell Ring Boardwalk Trail on the Francis Marion National Forest
Get a bird's eye view of the Sewee Shell Ring trail with drone footage capturing the area.
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Annual Report Programmatic Agreement and Public Comments
The Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests has prepared an annual report of activities carried out during Fiscal Year 2024 in accordance with its Programmatic Agreement for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Submission of Comments
If you would like to submit comments on the annual report, excluded undertakings, please provide them by email to SM.FS.r8fmssocom@usda.gov within 30 days of this announcement.
Features
Quail, Fire and Dedicated Landowners: Restoring South Carolina’s Pine Savannas
Gunrise Farms is a small hunting preserve in Newberry County, South Carolina, where landscape changes are taking place. Ty Holland, the owner, was drawn to the area because of its proximity to the Sumter National Forest, a focal area for restoring South Carolina’s pine savannas and bobwhite quail populations. Holland is usually busy assisting hunters or fixing farm equipment. However, he has also taken on another important role, conservation.
VSFS internship opportunities across the Forest Service
The US Forest Service is offering nine-month volunteer internships through the Department of State’s Virtual Student Federal Service. Students enrolled in this upcoming academic year can apply through July 28, 2022!
Alerts & Warnings
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area temporarily closed
- Sumter Nat'l Forest opens several more areas today (10/31)
- Closures on Francis Marion Nat'l Forest (Litchfield/Lottie bridges
- Candy Branch Rifle closed until further notice
- Emergency Bridge Closure off Forest Service Rd. 251H
- Long Cane district office reopening in new location
- Check the Call Before You Haul hotline before riding our OHV trails
- FSR 376 Asias Branch Road closed on Enoree Ranger District
- FSR 374 (Hunting Fork Rd) closed
- America the Beautiful passes unavailable at Supervisor's & Long Cane offices
- Damaged bridges along the Enoree Passage of Palmetto Trail; exercise caution
- Please be aware of open well hazards on Sumter National Forest
- Enoree Ranger District Rifle Range Cleaning Schedule
Quick Links
- Hurricane Helene Information
- Motor Vehicle Use Maps
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Dispersed Camping Permits
- Managing Recreation Uses in the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River
- Francis Marion Plan Revision
- Region 8 Grant Funding Calendar
- Find Employment with Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
- Upper Chattooga Boating Information