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.

####

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.

 

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

Find your next adventure

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

 

Features

Quail, Fire and Dedicated Landowners: Restoring South Carolina’s Pine Savannas

a man looking into the distance

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.

View Feature

VSFS internship opportunities across the Forest Service

Testimonial from VSFS intern and her work with ArcGIS

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!

View Feature