Getting Oriented
The Enoree OHV Trail sits in the Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, in the Piedmont of central South Carolina between Whitmire and Joanna. The district reports about 23 miles of marked motorized trail arranged as long interconnecting loops plus a shorter one-way beginners loop. Terrain here is low, rolling forest rather than mountain country; nearby campgrounds sit around 570 feet. The Forest Service runs the trail as a day-use area, with a graveled staging lot off Garlington School Road (Forest Service Road 366) that has room for large trailers and loading ramps sized for both small and large trucks.
Trail Overview
Tread is mostly double-track over sand and Piedmont clay, with some narrow sections and sandy washes. The Forest Service rates the riding easy to moderate. Loops A and C are the gentler options; the remaining connectors bring steeper climbs and tighter turns. Surface conditions swing with the weather, from dust in dry stretches to slick clay after rain. The trail is open only to ATVs and dirt or dual-sport motorcycles, with a maximum vehicle width of 50 inches. Jeeps, Hummers, and other full-size 4x4s are not permitted, which keeps the system geared toward quads and bikes rather than rock crawling.
Points of Interest
- The interconnecting loop layout lets riders link short and long routes from a single staging area.
- A separate one-way beginners loop gives newer riders a lower-commitment option.
- Rolling pine and mixed hardwood forest typical of the South Carolina Piedmont.
- The Enoree and Tyger Rivers frame the district, with the Johns Creek Lake complex nearby for fishing.
Where to Camp
The OHV staging area is day-use only, with no camping at the trailhead. Brick House Campground lies about two miles south and is the closest Forest Service camp for riders. Sedalia Campground, farther north in Union County, is a primitive camp that serves the Enoree Passage of the Palmetto Trail rather than the OHV system; it offers five year-round non-electric sites plus additional seasonal sites during deer and turkey seasons, reserved through recreation.gov. Confirm season dates and reservations before counting on either camp.
Permits and Regulations
Every rider needs an OHV pass. The Forest Service charges $5 per OHV per day or $50 per person for the season, sold as an activity pass on recreation.gov; on-site fee tubes have been discontinued. The riding season opens the last Friday in March and closes the first Monday after January 1. Machines must carry a state-approved muffler and spark arrester, and riders stay on trails and routes designated open to OHVs. Recreational riding is not allowed in developed campgrounds. The district closes trails during wet conditions, so confirm status on the Call Before You Haul hotline at (803) 561-4025 before hauling in.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Buy the pass online before you ride, since passes are no longer sold at the trailhead.
- Call the status hotline at (803) 561-4025 the morning you head out, because the clay tread closes fast after rain.
- Match the machine to the 50-inch width limit; full-size 4x4s and wider side-by-sides are turned away.
- Summers run muggy with highs in the 90s, while spring and fall bring the most comfortable riding.
- Carry recovery gear and drinking water, and expect spotty cell coverage across the district.
- Reach the Enoree Ranger District office at (803) 276-4810 for current conditions and camping questions.
Fuel and Water
Whitmire, about 4 to 6 miles from the trailhead, is the last reliable stop for fuel and basic supplies; Joanna and Clinton off I-26 also have gas and groceries. The staging area has a vault toilet but no potable water, so bring drinking water for the day. Nearby Sedalia Campground has a single water spigot near its entrance, but riders should not count on trailside water anywhere in the system.
Nearby
The Enoree Ranger District spreads across the Piedmont between the Enoree and Tyger Rivers, with fishing at the Johns Creek Lake complex and paddling access on the Tyger River near Sedalia. The Enoree Passage of the Palmetto Trail crosses the district for hikers. For more motorized riding in the Sumter National Forest, the Long Cane Ranger District to the southwest holds the Parsons Mountain and Cedar Springs OHV trails, both ATV and dirt-bike systems; the Wambaw Cycle Trail lies farther east in the Francis Marion National Forest. Union County's historical museum and the Cross Keys House sit within a short drive.
