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| Home > South Carolina > Parson's Mountain |
Parson's Mountain Recreation Area
Saturday, December 23, 2023
| Other Names | Sumter National Forest, Sumpter National Forest, Long Cane Ranger District, Piedmont OHV Trails |
| Last Known Status | Variable Schedule (Depends on daily conditions. Call (803) 561-4025 x 2 for recorded message.) |
This recreation area offers a 12-mile, moderately challenging trail is marked with directional arrows. The trail forms a long one way loop but there is a cut through that divides the route in half, creating two smaller loops. The terrain primarily consists of piedmont clay and is rarely completely dry, so expect some deep mud holes even during dry weather.
The main staging area has plenty of space for parking, a vault toilet and picnic tables. Both trails and staging area are only open during daylight hours but camping is just a couple minutes away at Parson's Mountain Lake. There is no direct motorized access from the campground to the ATV trails, so machines must be trailered in unless street legal. Other activities swimming, hiking and equestrian trails, non-motorized boating and a shooting range.
Visitors should note that this trail system will close on short notice before, during and after inclement weather, so check the hotline for current conditions before heading out.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | No | |
| Dates Open | Open daily, year-round, Call first for current conditions - (803) 561-4025 x 2. | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Unknown | |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (50 inches) | has entrance gate or posts |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 Four Wheelers | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
 UTV & SXS | Prohibited | |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Prohibited | |
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on trails |
| Rule Enforcement |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 3,200 acres (5 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 12 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 450 to 600 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained | trails marked with blue blazes |
| Loose Dirt |  Some | |
| Hard Pack | Some | |
| Mud | Some | |
| Dust |  Little | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  Many | |
| Small Jumps |  None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Hazards |  Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur |  Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 1-5 Miles (NE) | Shell (864) 366-9877 |
| Diesel | 1-5 Miles (NE) | Shell (864) 366-9877 |
 Water | 1-5 Miles | Parsons Mountain Campground (803) 637-5396 |
 RV Hookup | 5-20 Miles (W) | Calhoun Falls State Park Campground (864) 447-8267 |
 RV Disposal | 5-20 Miles (W) | Calhoun Falls State Park Campground (864) 447-8267 |
| Campground | 1-5 Miles (NE) | Parsons Mountain Campground (803) 637-5396 |
 Conv Store | 1-5 Miles (NE) | Shell (864) 366-9877 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | (None) |
| Riding | Yes ($5.00 per rider) on site self service fee station |
| Camping | Yes Tent: $7.00 RV: $7.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $7.00 Parson's Mountain Campground Fee |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | Abbeville, SC | ||
| Address | Tower Road, Abbeville, SC 29620 | ||
| From: Abbeville, SC
1) Take SR-28 (SR-72) west about 2 miles 2) Veer left to stay on SR-28, continue 5.3 miles 3) Turn left on Tower Road, continue about .3 miles. 4) Staging area is on the right. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | OHV Trail Hotline (803) 561-4025 www.fs.usda.gov |
| Comment | Extension 2 |
| Contact Info | J.R. Kirkaldie (District Ranger) Sumter National Forest - Long Cane Ranger District 810 Buncombe Street Edgefield, SC 29824 (803) 637-5396 john.kirkaldie@usda.gov sm.fs.fmrd@usda.gov www.fs.usda.gov |
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 8/1/2018 (Thanks!)
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 8/1/2018 (Thanks!)
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 8/1/2018 (Thanks!)
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 8/1/2018 (Thanks!)
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 8/1/2018 (Thanks!)
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 8/1/2018 (Thanks!)
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 7/8/2012 (Thanks!)
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 7/1/2012 (Thanks!)
Parson's Mountain Trail Photo
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS