Trail Overview

Covering the northeast portion of the state, this significant addition transits Sandhills State Forest and the Carolina National Wildlife Refuge, providing an alternate route between Liberty Hill WMA and Francis Marion National Forest. Campsites marked along this route require reservations (see metadata in the individual POIs). Expect deep sand and large areas of standing water. Local conditions may often increase the difficulty of this section to a technical rating of 3 or higher. Please remember to tread lightly, especially in wet conditions. Approximately 60% off-pavement. About the SCAR:

Photos of SCAR Northeast Alternate

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Difficulty

The route is not exceptionally technical, but dry conditions can leave the sandy roads loose, while wet conditions can leave the mud and clay roads slick and rutted.

Technical Rating

Sam Liu

Apr 25, 2026

Open

The trail continues as a wide, sandy dirt road with a firm base and gentle curves, making for an easy and comfortable drive. The surface is mostly smooth with some loose gravel, but no major obstacles or deep ruts were observed. It passes through a mix of open fields and tall pine forest, with sections of shade and good visibility ahead.

Darin Jackson

Jan 18, 2026

Open

this was a very very muddy trail. It was my first time on the. SCAR and I saw videos where it can turn very mucky and sticky and trap your vehicle and that happened to me. Fortunately, I had just installed a winch about a month and a half ago and I was prepared, but it was very very precarious.

Walter Schield

Jan 12, 2026

Open

Pending road closure

Ivan Konermann

Sep 07, 2025

Open

West end of this route was open. Wire road from Hwy 151 is open and there aren’t gates. Rode through the central part of the NWR and there were numerous side trails to check out. No one else was out there

Steve Klein

Aug 31, 2025

Open

Matthew Harrell

Jul 12, 2025

Open

Big tree down on Rachael rd at the little pond

Todd Tally

Feb 26, 2025

Open

There is a special event in the Sand Hills State Forest area for Sandblast Stage Rally Event from the afternoon and evening of 2/28/25 through all day 3/1/25 and you may come across sections of closed road for this event. All sections are posted. Many sections of this route intersect with planned stages.

Cody Rogers

Nov 10, 2024

Open

Permanent closure at 34.38501, -79.79084. However you can rejoin at 34.39819, -79.80949 about a quarter mile up the trail.

Anthony Beasenburg

Nov 10, 2024

Open

New closed and locked gate with private property and road closed signs located at 34.38501, -79.79084

John Williams

Nov 09, 2024

Open

Deep mud hole at 34.13918, -79.38163. Don’t try it, you will get stuck.

De FreightTrain Ward

Nov 03, 2024

Open

Trail was good overall there was this one spot that somebody had tried to make it go around and I should’ve taken it. It was deep. I ended up having to winch myself out. My GPS didn’t put location. So I’m not sure where the spot is exactly.

Chris sigler

Jun 28, 2024

Open

xander dowd

Jun 08, 2024

Open

Road at 344 Slabtown rd in sc closed

rob z

May 12, 2024

Open

34.56327, -80.76807 culvert is washed out. Road is closed.

Cameron Ferguson

Apr 20, 2024

Open

Lots of horse riders