There’s nothing quite like the thrill of the dirt bike, and the muddier the trail the better. Given South Carolina’s abundance of natural landscapes and varied terrain, there are plenty of places to fuel your passion for off-roading on your dirt motorcycle. So, don your helmet and saddle up at one of these five awesome dirt biking trails in South Carolina.
You’ll have to share the “road” with ATVs, but the rolling hills and cheap rates are well worth it. For just $5 a day, you can cruise through the wooded pinelands and take in all the sights and sounds of the Sumter National Forest. Several of the loops interconnect to give you long stretches of solid riding without anything getting in your way. The trailhead is located right off Garlington School Road in Laurens County, about a 5-10-minute drive from the Joanna/Whitmire exit on I-26.
As part of the Francis Marion National Forest, this trail was made with the off-road motorcyclist in mind. While other ATVs are permitted, dirt bike enthusiasts will revel in the scenic forest vistas as they scout for wildlife like deer and wild turkeys. You’ll need to pay a reasonable $5/day fee, but since the money goes directly to maintaining the trail, it’s well worth the price. If you want to make a full trip, the park offers tent camping so you can get your riding fill before you head back to reality.
The locals swear by this well-maintained prepped and wetted park. It’s challenging enough to put your skills to the test, but easy enough to keep you interested in wanting to master new ones. Their main track spans a full 1.2 miles and is safe for riders of all skill levels. They also feature a “peewee” hard track and a 1.3-mile one-way track through a wooded area that offers both technical spots and areas for wide open trailblazing.
Friendly to dirt bikes and ATVs alike, you have your pick of 58 miles’ worth of trails, including practice areas, that are suited to any skill level. They don’t offer rentals, so you will have to bring your own vehicle and gear. If you want to make a full weekend of the park, you can rent a campsite for just $10. If you can’t make it on a weekend, call ahead and make an appointment for a weekday ride.
There’s less of a natural atmosphere and more of a downright muddy vibe here. You can practice new tricks as you race off bumps and hills of varying heights. With sharp curves, rolling straightaways, and generous pathways, locals continue to flock to the track because of its continued commitment to its riders.
Alli Hill is a freelance content writer and mom of two. She spends most of her free time exploring the great outdoors by trail or by kayak. She is also the founder and director of FreelanceSpeak, a blog to support other freelance creatives.
