South Carolina is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, and dirt bike riders are no exception. With its diverse landscapes, the Palmetto State offers an array of exhilarating dirt bike trails. From challenging terrains to breathtaking scenery, these tracks offer an unforgettable riding experience. In this article, we will delve into top dirt bike trails in SC, highlighting the excitement and adventure they provide.
Some of the best dirt bike trails in South Carolina include Carolina Adventure World, Manchester State Forest OHV Trail, Iron City Motorsports MX, and Enoree OHV Trail. Some are in Spartanburg County; however, South Carolina’s national forests house the majority of these destinations.
Note that this guide contains a non-exhaustive list of dirt bike trails in the state. For your reference, here are nine dirt bike trails in South Carolina that you can experience the next time you visit:
- Carolina Adventure World
- Enoree OHV Trail
- Cedar Springs OHV Trail
- Manchester State Forest OHV Trail
- Iron City Motorsports MX
- Turkey Creek MX
- Battery Park Off-Road
- Myrtle Beach ATV & MX Park
- Club Mole Creek MX
If you’re looking for ATV trails, check out my article on the 12 Best ATV Trails in South Carolina, which has a pretty similar list. This should be no surprise since most dirt-bike-friendly areas are in Enoree and Edgefield or within the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests.
Best Dirt Bike Trails in South Carolina
1. Carolina Adventure World
Located in Arrowhead Road, Winnsboro, Carolina Adventure World (or CAW) is a 100-mile stretch of trails with various difficulty levels surrounded by wooded terrain, hills, and water crossings. It is a family-friendly park and welcomes youth and more seasoned riders into its premises.
Trails are generally well-maintained, with perks such as camping grounds, RV hookups, restrooms, showers, food concessions, and a bike wash area.
There are daily and annual passes for riders, with prices ranging from $10 to $480. Passes are split into park and vehicle categories and are currently age-specific. The annual passes, in particular, include free admission to night rides, live entertainment, and other special events scheduled or hosted by CAW.
Management has announced on the website that their “dirt bike only trails” will be closed beginning on August 8th and will become an active timber logging zone for at least eight weeks. Thankfully, frequenters can still ride dirt bikes on all other trails where the two-wheelers are permitted.
2. Enoree OHV Trail
Situated in Enoree Ranger District, this trail spans 23 miles (with 14 miles of usable motorbike trails) and is rated moderate to difficult. Rolling hills, creek crossings, and wooded areas comprise its scenery, with surfaces mainly consisting of sand and Piedmont clay. Its trails are generally well-maintained — although greenery in some sections is slightly overgrown.
The property has barely any facilities (only primitive campsites are available). The lack of amenities includes restrooms, so make sure you do the needful at the trailhead — the only place there is a vault toilet. On a positive note, the lack of on-site perks makes the passes affordable at only $5 per OHV per day or $50 per person per season.
Trails are closed seasonally from January through March but are open during hunting season. As such, wearing clothing with bright orange reflectors (view on Amazon) is highly recommended. Outside of this period, caution should still be exercised (especially on challenging sections or where there are other trail users). For night riding, a functional headlight and taillight are necessitated.
3. Cedar Springs OHV Trail
Exclusively maintained for ATVs and dirt bikes, this OHV trail is situated in the northern part of Long Cane Ranger District in Edgefield. It is encapsulated in the Sumter National Forest — one of only two national forests in the state and an important area for conservation and biodiversity.
Designed specifically for recreational motorcycling, this two-loop trail is marked with blue blazes and rated moderately difficult. Riders will enjoy navigating through hardwood bottoms, traversing drains, and passing through pine plantations.
The upper loop can be accessed from the trailhead on Forest Service Road 505, while the lower loop can be reached by crossing the forest road and the railroad tracks.
This 11.9-mile trail shares some similarities with the Enoree OHV — in the sense that both trails do not have on-site amenities except for primitive campgrounds. The cost of daily and seasonal passes and the property’s closure every first quarter of the year are the same for both dirt bike trails.
4. Manchester State Forest OHV Trail
This 25-mile dirt bike trail has three loops that wind through wooded areas, sandhills, and open spaces. The first loop is called Blue OHV and is considered moderately difficult. This trail is 7.8 miles long and is made up of dirt and sand. It is occasionally closed for maintenance or to facilitate recovery when excessively used by patrons.
Conversely, Green OHV is only 1.7 miles long but shares the same surface composition as Blue OHV. This segment of the Manchester State Forest OHV Trail is rated easy. The Red OHV is the longest loop of the three at 9.6 miles and essentially traces the outer edge of the Manchester State Forest OHV Trail “bordered by SC 261 and Sumter County Roads S-43-51 and S-43-808.”
Driving to this OHV park entails driving west on US 378, then turning right on Sumter County toward Rimini. Once in the property, riders new to the area need not worry since guide arrows point toward the correct direction of travel.
5. Iron City Motorsports MX
Otherwise known as Iron City MX or Iron City Motorsports Park, it is located on Bryant Road, Blacksburg. The main MX park spans 1.4 miles, with significant elevation changes and sizable uphill and downhill sections. It also includes wide, sweeping turns and concludes with an impressive 80-foot finish line — a fantastic layout for practices and racing events.
Aside from the main circuit, Iron City features a supercross track and go-kart track. Adding to these are well-maintained facilities that include restrooms, concessions, and spectator areas. Regulations-wise, enforcement is strict. Track usage merits a $15 fee per rider. Plus, the park only allows entry for four-wheelers, motorcycles, and dirt bikes — all other ORV types are prohibited.
6. Turkey Creek MX
Situated in Edgefield, this MX park is also known by locals and frequenters as Crooked Run, Morgan Bussey Road, and Walker Road. Its terrain features a mix of soil types, including loam, clay, and sandy sections. But unlike most dirt bike trails in this guide, it is only open Saturdays and Sundays and does not allow late-night wheeling.
The trail features jumps and corners, various elevation changes, gradual slopes, and steep inclines and is generally well-maintained. The property also has restrooms, concessions, and spectator areas to boot.
However, whether this MX track is closed or recovering from inclement weather is rather ambiguous. Hence, check with the owners, Steve or Michael, through Facebook for updates on the MX track’s condition and business hours.
7. Battery Park Off-Road
Battery Park Off-Road is an MX/dirt bike trail that is 45 minutes away from I-95 and approximately an hour from Myrtle Beach. It features four motocross tracks, including Big MX, Vet Supercross, Kids only MX Track, and GP Track connected trails. All these combined make up 34 miles of Enduro-style single-track wooded trails. Check out their website for more info.
8. Myrtle Beach ATV & MX Park
Myrtle Beach MX ATV Park is along Daisy Rd in Loris. The trail length varies depending on the track layout, offering a range of options for motorheads while providing various difficulty levels to accommodate their preferences.
The park features motocross tracks meticulously maintained to ensure optimal trail conditions. Riders can expect well-maintained trails that provide an enjoyable and thrilling riding experience.
In terms of facilities and amenities, Myrtle Beach MX ATV Park offers convenient restrooms, concessions for refreshments, and designated spectator areas. Visitors can enjoy the park’s offerings and watch riders showcase their skills.
What patrons love about this dirt bike trail is the owner is hands-on, especially when teaching beginner riders. That said, many consider this property as the best all-around track in this part of SC.
9. Club Mole Creek MX
Club Mole Creek MX in Wedgefield offers a welcoming environment for gearheads, featuring a mile-long, full MX track diligently prepped and maintained and with various obstacles, including jump sections, doubles, angled turns, and varying gradient sections. This privately-owned track provides an enjoyable rhythm for riders of all skill levels.
The park owners offer affordable access with a $20 daily club fee to support local riders in their training endeavors. But female riders are in luck, as they get to enjoy complimentary riding privileges. This commitment to providing an accessible space for local riders makes Club Mole Creek MX the go-to venue for those seeking quality training at a fraction of the cost.
Special Mentions
- Big Buck GNCC (170 Red Barn Road, Enoree)
- Low Country MX (2212 Landfill Rd, Johns Island)
Conclusion — Best Dirt Bike Trails in SC
Wondering about the best dirt bike trails and state parks in South Carolina? Here are my top recommendations once more:
- Carolina Adventure World
- Enoree OHV Trail
- Cedar Springs OHV Trail
- Manchester State Forest OHV Trail
- Iron City Motorsports MX
- Turkey Creek MX
- Battery Park Off-Road
- Myrtle Beach ATV & MX Park
- Club Mole Creek MX
Undeniably, South Carolina’s dirt bike and MX trails offer riders an exhilarating experience amidst stunning vistas and natural landscapes. From the vast trail system at Carolina Adventure World to the captivating trails of Enoree, riders can truly revel in the thrill of dirt bike riding.
While each trail offers unique challenges and captivating scenery, they all share a common factor — well-maintained tracks and facilities that enhance one’s overall riding experience. So, wait no more and explore these top dirt bike trails in SC!
Kris is an avid off-roader and outdoor enthusiast who loves to brave the elements and take on challenging terrain. He also enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge with others so that they, too, can appreciate the ride.
About Kris