Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.
Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
11 Parks To Go Off Roading in South Carolina
South Carolina is one of the best states in the U.S. for off-roading. It contains three distinct geographic regions — the Atlantic coastal plain in the east, the central Piedmont foothills, and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the northwest. It also has mild winters, so you can comfortably enjoy the trails all year.
If you’re planning a visit to the Palmetto State, these off-roading destinations should be on your bucket list. Get ready to hit the trails and find your favorite.
Battery Park Off-Road
Nesmith, South Carolina
Pricing: $5 gate fee for everyone, $25 ride fee, $15 ride fee for children 8 and under, $150 adult motorcycle rentals, $90 youth motorcycle rentals
Regulations: only open to the public on weekends, parent or guardian must sign a waiver for minors to ride, helmets and eye protection required, all trails are one way
Restrictions: no race quads, no night riding, no trailblazing
Battery Park is a 40-mile network of MX tracks and enduro-style forest trails that welcomes all types of off-road vehicles, except for race quads. It’s one of the most family-friendly establishments in the state, offering safety courses and affordable rentals for riders of all ages. If you’re an experienced off-roader, the veteran-level MX tracks won’t disappoint.
You must make an appointment if you want to ride on a weekday. Make your reservation as soon as possible because there is usually a long waiting list. Battery Park’s proximity to Myrtle Beach and the capital city of Charleston makes it one of the busiest off-road destinations in the state.
Broken Nut Off-Road Park
Jefferson, South Carolina
Pricing: $5 entry fee, $15 riding fee, $99 per hour for ATV rentals
Regulations: only open to public on weekends, parent or guardian must sign a waiver for minors to ride, helmets and eye protection required, spark arrestors not required but highly recommended, call before you haul
Restrictions: no night riding, no trailblazing
Broken Nut Off-Road Park is a 4×4’s paradise. The 25-mile trail system consists of winding woodland paths, steep hill climbs, mud pits, and water crossings. All ATVs are welcome, as the park provides guided ATV, UTV, and SxS tours. The impressive variety of trails makes Broken Nut a great destination for all skill levels.
Broken Nut also hosts frequent concerts, food trucks, and other vendors. If you choose the right weekend to visit, you could spend all day riding and enjoying a pleasant evening of live music and hot homemade food. How can a weekend get any better?
Carolina Adventure World
Winnsboro, South Carolina
Pricing: $25 day pass for ages 16+, $10 day pass for ages 4-15, $25 vehicle pass
Regulations: parent or guardian must sign a waiver for minors to ride, helmets and eye protection required, 55-inch maximum vehicle width
Restrictions: no 4x4s, jeeps, or trucks, no stopping on trails, no night riding except on designated weekends, no trailblazing
Carolina Adventure World is the biggest off-road park in South Carolina, with more than 2,600 acres and 100 miles of trails. Although it doesn’t allow full-sized vehicles, all other ATVs are welcome. The park is so huge that it offers round-the-clock off-road recovery and repair services on-site with a team of qualified technicians.
You’ll find every type of trail imaginable here, from basic one-way forest trails to advanced dirt bike-only paths that climb to a 400-foot elevation. Sand dunes, mud pits, rock crawls, hill climbs — you name it, CAW has it. There’s even a drag strip and MX track for racing events that the park frequently hosts.
Cedar Springs OHV Trail
Abbeville, South Carolina
Pricing: $5 day pass, $50 seasonal pass, $15 OHV permit required
Regulations: ATVs and dirt bikes only, 96-decibel noise limit, 50-inch vehicle width limit, helmets and eye protection recommended but not required, minors must be accompanied by an adult
Restrictions: no side-by-sides, 4x4s, jeeps or trucks, no night riding, no trailblazing, avoid trail during the first two weeks of deer rifle season
The 12-mile Cedar Springs trail is located at the northern tip of the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest. It briefly closes at the beginning of deer hunting season. Other than that, riders of all ages can enjoy the swampy hardwood bottom trails and picturesque pine plantations year-round.
Although only quads and dirt bikes are allowed, state forests have no problem with electric ATVs and those that use alternative fuels. Renewable diesel might even give you a riding advantage during the winter because it has a lower freezing point than regular diesel or biodiesel.
Enoree OHV Trail
Clinton, South Carolina
Pricing: $5 day pass, $50 seasonal pass, $15 OHV permit required
Regulations: ATVs and dirt bikes only, 96-decibel noise limit, 50-inch vehicle width limit, riders under 16 required to wear helmets and eye protection, minors must be accompanied by an adult, open from last Friday in March to first Monday after Jan. 1
Restrictions: no side-by-sides, 4x4s, jeeps or trucks, no night riding, no trailblazing
The Enoree OHV seasonal trail is also located in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest, but the terrain is a little different. Most of the 23-mile network consists of rolling Piedmont hills with interconnecting loops that are extremely popular among dirt bike and mini-bike enthusiasts. There’s also a good chance you’ll run into some muddy areas and shallow water crossings during the wet winter months.
Gulches ORV Park
Waterloo, South Carolina
Pricing: $25 day pass, $50 weekend pass, $5 passenger pass for guests 12 and up
Regulations: permit not required, no noise limit, helmets required, camping allowed in some areas
Restrictions: no three-wheelers, no night riding, no trailblazing
Gulches might be a small park with just 10 miles of trails, but quality is more important than quantity. It’s the only legal park that accommodates full-size daily driver 4x4s in the entire state. That means you’ll find every possible type of terrain for all vehicles, ranging from easy to “skull and crossbones” difficulty level.
The most popular areas are the hill climbs, rock crawls, and a handful of streams that flow into the Reedy River. Dense woodlands shade almost the entire park, which is a huge advantage in the hot South Carolina summers.
Manchester State Forest OHV Trails
Pinewood, South Carolina
Pricing: $5 day pass, $50 seasonal pass, $15 OHV permit required
Regulations: ATVs and dirt bikes only, 96-decibel noise limit, 50-inch vehicle width limit, helmets and eye protection recommended but not required, minors must be accompanied by an adult
Restrictions: no side-by-sides, 4x4s, jeeps or trucks, no night riding, no trailblazing
As the park’s location suggests, the Manchester State Forest OHV trails mainly consist of well-maintained pinewood paths. There are some loose-pack sandy pathways mixed in as well. There are 19 miles of trails, including the 8.6-mile Red OHV Trail for more experienced riders and the 7.8-mile Blue OHV trail for novices.
Aside from the off-roading attractions, Manchester State Forest also features horseback riding, hiking, and cycling trails, quiet pond fishing spots, numerous picnic areas, and a shooting range. You’ll never run out of things to do at this beautiful state park.
The Master’s Motoplex
Gaston, South Carolina
Pricing: $30 day pass for adults, $20 day pass for riders 10 and under
Regulations: helmet, eye protection, long pants and boots required, spark arrestor highly recommended
Restrictions: no 4x4s, jeeps, or trucks, no night riding except on designated tracks, no trailblazing
Formerly known as the GTR Complex, the Master’s Motoplex has recently undergone major renovations. In addition to 30 miles of classic woodland trails and mud pits, it now includes various sand and clay racetracks for all experience levels. The tracks are well-lit and maintained, so night rides are common occurrences.
You’ll also notice that Master’s Motoplex has strict safety gear requirements. These extra precautions were implemented after a handful of recent off-roading fatalities in South Carolina, which prompted many parks to update their policies. There’s always some risk of injury when off-roading, but you can make the activity much safer by wearing the right equipment.
Parsons Mountain OHV Trail
Abbeville, South Carolina
Pricing: $5 day pass, $50 seasonal pass, $15 OHV permit required
Regulations: ATVs and dirt bikes only, 96-decibel noise limit, 50-inch vehicle width limit, helmets and eye protection recommended but not required, minors must be accompanied by an adult
Restrictions: no side-by-sides, 4x4s, jeeps or trucks, no night riding, no trailblazing, avoid trail during the first two weeks of deer rifle season
Parsons Mountain is next to Cedar Springs in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest. The two trail networks have similar swampy terrains and pinewoods separated into one- and two-way loops. This organized system allows beginners to practice their fundamentals while older riders tear up the two-way areas. It’s a great place to learn the basics and expand your riding skills.
River Neck Acres ATV Park
Florence, South Carolina
Pricing: $10 day pass, $15 vehicle pass, $500 annual membership, kids 8 and younger ride free
Regulations: parent or guardian must sign a waiver for minors to ride, helmets and eye protection required for children
Restrictions: no 4x4s, jeeps, or trucks, no night riding except on designated weekends, no trailblazing, no ATVs on dirt roads or pipeline right-of-way
River Neck Acres is a 55-mile network of lightly maintained forest trails, mud pits, and water crossings. The park’s location along the Great Pee Dee River has created perfect conditions for mudding and other water activities for those who love getting their hands dirty. This place is the ideal off-roading destination if you drive a side-by-side or large UTV that can handle wet conditions.
Wambaw Cycle Trail
Jamestown, South Carolina
Pricing: $5 day pass, $50 seasonal pass, $15 OHV permit required
Regulations: ATVs and dirt bikes only, 96-decibel noise limit, 50-inch vehicle width limit, helmets and eye protection recommended but not required, minors must be accompanied by an adult
Restrictions: no side-by-sides, 4x4s, jeeps or trucks, no night riding, no trailblazing, avoid trail during the first two weeks of deer rifle season
The Wambaw Cycle Trail is the largest network in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forest, with more than 40 miles of sandy motorcycle and OHV trails. The figure-eight layout makes it easy to navigate for beginners, but the loose terrain presents a healthy challenge for any skill level.
The trails also change from sand to mud when it rains, creating many small mud pits to enjoy. Just watch out for the local wildlife and hunting activity, as this area is filled with deer and wild turkeys. There’s a good chance you’ll see action at some point in the figure eight.
This video has been included for its clarification of the topic matter. Credit goes to The Beaten Trail
Find Your Off-Roading Haven in South Carolina
South Carolina offers a rare combination of mountains, park-like forests, and low-lying wetlands that make for an ideal off-roading environment. There’s something for everyone, no matter which vehicle you prefer. You could find your haven in one of these locations, so get ready to explore and make the most of your sport.
Back to top of page
Home page
