Hiking/Mountain Biking Trail

High Hills of Santee Passage of Palmetto Trail

(Sumter County)

TrailMap

Description: This moderately difficult section of the Palmetto Trail winds through the Manchester Forest and Poinsett State Park. You will find the terrain more diverse than you would expect for this area and some of the plants found here, such as mountain laurel, are usually only found in the mountains. Your hike/ride will take you through a forest of red cedar, oaks, and pines with Spanish moss hanging from their branches, and home for wide variety of wildlife. This area also has a lot of history and you can almost feel the presence of the Catawba Indians and early travelers. You may even find unmarked Revolutionary War sites and remains of gristmills.

For additional information from Palmetto Trail users: Trail Talk

Length: 14 miles.

Fees: No fee, unless you access or park in Poinsett State Park, which has a $2.00 fee.

Directions: Southern trailhead: From the junction of US 378 and SC 261 drive south for approximately 12.6 miles and bear right onto Mill Creek Road (Sumter County S-43-51). Drive 3 miles and turn right onto S-43-808. Drive 1 mile and turn right into Mill Creek County Park. The trailhead is at the day use area.

Northern trailhead: From the junction of US 378 and SC 261 drive south for approximately 9 miles and turn right onto Headquarters Road. Drive 1 mile and turn left onto Campbell Creek Road. The trailhead is approximately 2 miles on the left.

Hours: Dawn to dusk.

Camping: Camping in Poinsett State Park. Call 1-866-345-PARK (7275) or go online at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com to make reservations.

Information: Palmetto Conservation Foundation, 1314 Lincoln Street, Suite 305, Columbia, SC, 29201-3154, or Trail Talk