Horse Trails
Click on a region

UPCOUNTRY - Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg MIDLANDS - Abbeville, Aiken, Chester, Chesterfield, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Saluda, Union, York LOWCOUNTRY - Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Beaufort, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dillon, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Hampton, Horry, Jasper, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Orangeburg, Sumter, Williamsburg


NOTE: Horse trail information follows the trail listings.

UPCOUNTRY

Anderson County

Fant's Grove (35.0 miles)

Oconee County

Pickens Ranger District

Rocky Gap/Willis Knob (12.4 miles)

Pickens County

Clemson Experimental Forest

Dalton Road (5.0 miles)
Figure Eight at Holly Springs (5.2 miles)
Issaqueena Lake (7.8 miles)

Spartanburg County

Croft State Natural Area 

Fairforest Loop (3.5 miles)

Fosters Mill Loop (6.5 miles)

Lake Craig Connector (1.0 mile)

Lake Johnson Loop (2.4 miles)

Lake Johnson/Fairforest Connection (4.5 miles)

Rocky Ridge (3.5 miles)

Croft Passage of the Palmetto Trail (11.4 miles)

North Carolina (Tryon)

Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE) (3.0 miles)

MIDLANDS

Abbeville County

Long Cane Ranger District

Long Cane Horse (23.0 miles)

Aiken County

Hitchcock Woods (65.0 miles of intermixed trails)

Chester County

Enoree Ranger District

Woods Ferry Horse (9.0 miles)

Chesterfield County

Cheraw State Park

Johnny Finkley Memorial Horse Trail (5.0 miles)
  

Sand Hills State Forest

H. Cooper Black Jr. Horse (18.0 miles)

Pine Barons Horse (27.0 miles)

Pine Barons Wagon (27.0 miles)

Sugarloaf Horse (20.0 miles)

Lexington County

Saluda Shoals Park  


Newberry County

Enoree Ranger District

Buncombe Horse (31.7 miles)

Lynches Woods Horse (6.1 miles)

York County

Anne Springs Close Greenway Horse (14.5 miles)

Historic Brattonsville  (On the 3rd Saturday of the month).

Bratton (4.3 miles plus 3.0 miles of connectors)

Kings Mountain State Park

Kings Mountain Horse (20 miles)

LOW COUNTRY

Allendale County

Lakeview Plantation  (60 miles of trails)

Berkeley County

Francis Marion National Forest

Jericho Horse (19.0 miles)

Tuxbury Horse (14.0 miles)

Beaufort County

 

Charleston County

Mullet Hall Equestrian Center  (20 plus miles of trails)

Lee County

Lee State Natural Area Horse (6.0 miles)

Sumter County

Manchester State Forest  

Governor's Ride Horse (7.7 miles)

Manchester Horse (7.3 miles)

Red Horse (4.0 miles)

Poinsett State Park

Equestrian (6.0 miles)

Trail Information

 

There are over 120 miles of publicly accessible horseback riding trails in South Carolina and more private horseback areas than you can count. In other words, this is a fine state for those of us who enjoy trailblazing down equine pathways.

Our trails are diverse not only in their landscape, but also in their management. Federal, state, and private non-profit organizations all provide equestrian trails; some even include posh stalls and electrical hookups. Others may be available for day-use only. It’s wise to check with the management agencies listed below to determine important issues such as condition of trail or whether some usage fees have changed. Some state forests and parks require riders to have a permit and South Carolina law requires a negative Coggins Test Certificate be present for all horses in state parks and forests.

Whatever your riding preference, it’s a good bet you’ll find it in South Carolina. The state’s most popular trails pass through an amazingly diverse slice of topography: The Rocky Gap/Willis Knob trails, for instance, delve deep into the rugged and remote backcountry of the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor. Conversely, the six-mile loop through Lee State Park journeys into a floodplain swamp.

The South Carolina Horsemen’s Council is an excellent source of information for the state’s trails. Memberships are also available. Contact the council at:

South Carolina Horsemen's Council
2704 Bridgewater Road
Rock Hill, SC 29730
803-328-8450
website: www.schorsecouncil.org
email: schorsecouncil1@aol.com

SC Horsemen’s Council Trail Etiquette

  • Know the local rules. Courtesy is the best safety on the trail. Know where you’re permitted to ride and where you’re not. Respect private property and closed areas.
  • Minimize impact by staying on designated trails and avoiding muddy conditions. Don’t cut switchbacks or take shortcuts; it sends a poor message about our sport.
  • Always be courteous when you pass other trail users. Say hello. Tell people how many are in your party. Pass with care and if you’re uncertain whether you can pass, just ask.
  • Let other trail riders known when it is safe to pass your horse.
  • Always speak in a calm voice when approaching horses. A horse’s vision is restricted, but its hearing is acute. The horse needs to recognize you as a human. Avoid any sudden movements.
  • Leave gates as you find them. Obey gate closures and regulatory signs.
  • Know your horse’s limitations.
  • Ride at a safe and controlled speed. Be especially careful when you visibility is impaired.
  • A hand out and down is a warning for others to slow down or stop.
  • Keep the trailhead and trail clear of manure and trash.

At trailside rest stops, even short ones, tie off your horse. This prevents horses from damaging trees or vegetation and is courteous to other trail users by helping reduce wear and tear on the trail. Before you move on, scatter the manure.

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 South Carolina State Trails Program
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
1205 Pendleton Street :: Columbia, SC 29201 :: 803-734-0173 
 Webmaster: bswanson@scprt.com
 Updated: August 25, 2008
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