Beginner Off-Road Trails
Near Batesburg, South Carolina

The name should not cause you any worry about this road. Although mild with its sandy and gravel coating, it does contain a few rough potholes and some washboards that will motivate your suspension. You will pass by the C.E Berry Jr. Forestry Center and admire the dam structure next to it that once ...
Learn more about Rugged Hill Drive

Enjoy this easy route as you sit back and ride through large farmlands and admire the old forgotten houses and barns. This is an easy road that is maintained and has a mix of sand and gravel covering the roadway. You will pass over some single-lane bridges and see some marshland with a variety of wi...
Learn more about Richland Creek Road

Go back in history as you ride this partial gravel and sandy road. It is well maintained and has some areas that flood during excessive amounts of rain. Along this road, you'll pass a family cemetery that dates back to the 1800-1900's, abandoned farmhouses and sheds. Close by the area was the Ambush...
Learn more about Old Charleston Road

This Connector Loop bisects the primary SCAR Loop, passing near the twin towns of Batesburg-Leesville, over the narrow end of Lake Murray, and through Newberry. It contains a mix of paved and unpaved roads. Off-pavement sections south of Batesburg-Leesville are sandy and can be loose when dry. North...
Learn more about SCAR Connector-Loop

This is a very easy sand and gravel trail to see some great scenery in the area. It's mostly sandy dirt with some gravel areas. This is well suited for anyone in a 4x4, stock or modified, looking to get out of the house and enjoy a nice trail. You will see some local farm fields, pastures, and a cou...
Learn more about Elbert Taylor Road

Ride out and enjoy the thick hardwood forest and abandoned farmhouses and barns of the past. This route is mostly loamy sand and a red clay mix. It has some graded hills and sharp curves that roll down the hills that twist and bend through the forest and farmlands. As you roll along, you will pass t...
Learn more about Moore Road

Come on down to Johnston and enjoy this short, relaxing backcountry drive. The route starts with a gravel and sand mix before transitioning into classic red clay. Settle in as you pass through peach field–lined roads that roll into tree-covered forest corridors and abandoned barns that have fallen t...
Learn more about Pond Dam Road

This is a fairly easy road that has some local wildlife scenery to see. The road has areas of some sandy soft spots, teeth-shaking washboards, and some areas that can hold water for several days after a good rain shower. There are several places where you can get stunning views of a small lake, a fe...
Learn more about Mason Branch Road

This is an easy road to tackle for the beginner who wants to explore the countryside. Check out all that it offers including pine forests, large fields, and equestrian farms. It has all of the terrain features you want - loose sand, some small ruts, washboards, and areas with red clay that may be sl...
Learn more about Red Shadow Road

This is a mostly sand-covered road used for farming and local residencies. The surface includes some soft spots that are mild to deep, and red clay portions that are quite a joy to ride after a good rain. A good part of the road is actually below the contour of the land and would be a great spot for...
Learn more about Gunter Pond Road

North Fork Road is a light to moderate challenging road that explores the countryside and large hardwood forest of the midlands. The road surface is mostly loose sand and a mixture of red clay. It also offers some graded inclines and blind curves. There are some rough sections that contain washouts ...
Learn more about North Fork Road

A scenic road winding through the countryside close to the small towns that surround it. This road offers beautiful views of the forest while providing some fun driving experience on the washouts, small rock crops, and clay mud stretches. This road has single-lane bridge crossings with some blind cu...
Learn more about Round Up Road

This is an easy road to explore the rolling hills and deep cuts of the countryside. It is mostly sandy with some areas having a soft sand and red clay mix. The majority of the road is state-maintained and has limited washboards and potholes. It has a few roads that spur off the main route that one c...
Learn more about Charles Town Road

This is a mild challenging road that throws you off at first due to its name. This road will take you through some rough terrain that will make you hope you packed some recovery gear. The road is mostly red clay, compacted sand, and light gravel mix. It has several hills that are rutted and contain ...
Learn more about Wildplum Road

Segment 2 of the South Carolina Adventure Route wanders between the towns of Edgefield and Westminster, traversing one of the three sections of Sumter National Forest along the way. The trail through this region is an idyllic slice of South Carolina, a mix of pavement and gently rolling gravel roads...
Learn more about South Carolina Adventure Route Segment 2

As you enter the road, you will see remains of an old railroad bed that used to be the backbone of a freight train that ran nationwide. The road consists of different terrain features that has sand, clay, mud, and gravel. Sit back and enjoy the single-lane bridge crossings along with the winding cur...
Learn more about Log Creek Road

Fox Pond Road is right outside the local town's busy life. A loamy mixture of compacted sand and red clay, this is a straightforward meandering route. On the road, several large horse farms are decorated with sport jumps and widespread open pastures. The route also contains soft and hardwood forests...
Learn more about Fox Pond Road

Loop De Loop Road is exactly how it is described. It is a compacted sand, gravel, and red clay mix road that throws some adventure your way. It has several hills that can be challenging either way you enter. The red clay gives you a chance to tighten your grip on the wheel as you navigate this route...
Learn more about Loop De Loop Road

This short segment of the SCAR drops south of Edgefield. Its sand and clay roads over rolling hills are scenic but can become deeply rutted and muddy/slick when wet. These conditions can linger in this region too, even when the weather has been relatively dry for extended periods. About the SCAR: th...
Learn more about Yarborough - SCAR Alternate

Come and check out some of the Sumter National Forest and what it has to offer. The road is a sand, gravel, and red clay mix. As you drive down through the southern pine forests and single-lane roads, you will come across a variety of wildlife as it darts in and out of the roadway. You will pass ove...
Learn more about Ephrian Road

This scenic forest trail winds through tall pine trees and sandy terrain, offering a quiet off-road drive surrounded by nature. The surface is mostly sandy and graded, with occasional muddy puddles after rain and scattered pinecones along the path. Gentle curves and narrow sections between trees add...
Learn more about Cricket Tree Road

This beautiful, short trail offers scenic views along its path. It follows a well-maintained forest road, wide enough to allow two full-sized 4x4 vehicles to pass comfortably. Although it doesn't provide an off-road challenge, the trail gives visitors a captivating glimpse deep into the Sumter Natio...
Learn more about Woodlawn D

The trail begins as gravel but quickly transitions to a dirt path with grass in the center. Located in a Wildlife Management Area used for hunting, it’s best to visit on Sundays when hunting is prohibited. Expect frequent small mud holes, as the trail can become very muddy. Taking the first right fo...
Learn more about Mason Wildlife Trail South

This short trail takes you down to the South Carolina Side of the Savannah River. You will pass some very swampy areas on both sides of the road. If you stop looking at the wildlife, make sure you watch for Alligators. This is a great trail to hit if you are out for a day of exploring and want a ni...
Learn more about Fury's Ferry Boat Ramp

This scenic forest trail winds through tall pine trees and sandy terrain, offering a quiet off-road drive surrounded by nature. The surface is mostly sandy and graded, with occasional muddy puddles after rain and scattered pinecones along the path. Gentle curves and narrow sections between trees add...
Learn more about Cricket Tree Road

The trail begins as gravel but quickly transitions to a dirt path with grass in the center. Located in a Wildlife Management Area used for hunting, it’s best to visit on Sundays when hunting is prohibited. Expect frequent small mud holes, as the trail can become very muddy. Taking the first right fo...
Learn more about Mason Wildlife Trail South

This short trail takes you down to the South Carolina Side of the Savannah River. You will pass some very swampy areas on both sides of the road. If you stop looking at the wildlife, make sure you watch for Alligators. This is a great trail to hit if you are out for a day of exploring and want a ni...
Learn more about Fury's Ferry Boat Ramp

Most of this trail is a single lane with several muddy patches and occasional ruts that require careful navigation. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is essential unless it hasn’t rained for weeks. Expect multiple mud holes, the deepest around eight inches, with some areas prone to sticky, deep mud—exercis...
Learn more about Mason Wildlife Trail North