Whetstone Road - FS 721

Whetstone Road - FS 721 runs north through Sumter National Forest as a wide, well-graded gravel road. This 1/10 trail stays smooth and easy the whole way, with enough width to pass oncoming traffic easily. Whetstone Horse Camp sits along the route, and a handful of offshoots (719, 719A, and 721A) branch off toward river access banks on the Chattooga. The north end brings you to Earl's Ford, where there's a large gravel lot, a vault toilet, and a Forest Service kiosk with the float permit box; from there the Earl's Ford trail runs 0.2 miles down to the water, hiker-only. Earl's Ford is the put-in for Section III of the Chattooga and the take-out for Section II, so check flows before you plan around the water. Camping restrictions inside the Wild and Scenic River corridor are posted at the kiosk, along with bear activity notices.