Trail Overview
This trail twists through the forest in a winding route that remains unmaintained and was extremely muddy when we drove it in May 2025. Several creek crossings break up the route, and the muddy patches are deeper and stickier than they look, so it's worth approaching with diffs locked and the right gear engaged. The surrounding forest has been cleared back from the main path, opening up some great views and making for a pleasant, if challenging, drive. There are no formal or dispersed campsites along the trail, and you'll need to bring your own water and pack out any trash. Cell coverage is limited, so check the OnX app ahead of time.
History
Cherokee Wildlife Management Area occupies more than 31,000 acres of rolling oak-hickory hills, meadows, and pond-dotted creek bottoms in southwestern Cherokee County. The property is split almost evenly between a 16,000-acre Public Hunting Area that stays open for statewide seasons and a 15,360-acre Game Management Area reserved mainly for controlled hunts, allowing wildlife managers to balance public access with habitat protection.