Did you know that South Carolina offers some of the best places for recreational ATV riding? Check out these amazing ATV trails in South Carolina to see for yourself.
The Palmetto State is best known for Southern charm, authentic Southern cuisine, Civil War history, and popular destinations like Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Charleston.
But if you are an ATV riding enthusiast, you’ll also find a decent number of trails and ATV parks in South Carolina.
Can you ride an ATV on the road in South Carolina?
Before you hit these ATV trails in South Carolina, you may be wondering what to expect.
For starters, you do not have to title your ATV in South Carolina, although you can do it for $15 and sales tax if you wish to for insurance purposes.
At this time, ATV’s are not street legal in South Carolina.
However, rules regarding registration and street riding vary by region, so be sure to check with local authorities before taking your ATV out on the local streets.
Best ATV Trails in South Carolina
From the hills of northwest South Carolina to the marshes and beaches along the coast, South Carolina has a nice variety of ATV trails to explore.
These just happen to be some of the best ATV trails in South Carolina.
1515 Arrowhead Rd, Winnsboro, SC 29180
If you want an offroad park with tons of terrain, this is the one for you.
Carolina Adventure World has over 100 miles of trails, making it one of the largest OHV parks in the Southeast.
This private park in the northern part of the state sits about halfway between Charlotte and Columbia, just outside the town of Winnsboro.
The park covers 2,600 acres with mud bogs, rock crawls, and a dragstrip.
Trail difficulty ranges from green to black, so there’s a trail for every skill level. They even have rentals if you don’t have your own machine yet!
Besides having some of the best ATV trails in South Carolina, there are a ton of other fun things to do at Carolina Adventure World.
They have horse trails, disc golf, BBQ pits, showers, and several overnight options.
Choose from camping and RV hookups, cabins, and even a yurt!
The on-site welcome center offers hot food and free WiFi every day!
6850 Indian Mound Rd, Waterloo, SC 29384
For ATV trails in Western South Carolina, check out Gulches ORV Park near Waterloo.
Gulches Park packs a lot into the 80-acre footprint; there are over 40 trails to explore at this weekend-only park.
Expert-level trails have bypasses for the less experienced riders, so anyone can enjoy these trails On-site rangers are available for a property tour for first-time visitors.
Primitive camping is offered, as well as one rental cabin if you want to make a weekend of it.
For more accommodations and services, the city of Greenwood is less than 30 minutes away.
The Saluda River and Lake Greenwood offer endless recreational opportunities, while the Greenwood has a wide variety of options for shopping, dining, and lodging.
98 Harvest Rd, Nesmith, SC 29554
If you are looking for ATV trails near Myrtle Beach, check out Battery Park Off-Road.
Over 30 miles of trails for ATV’s and bikes, plus 3 MX tracks, including one just for kids. While the three ATV loops are fun for everyone, this park is especially beginner-friendly.
They offer tours that kick off with a safety course, and they rent ATV’s so you can explore the trails even if you don’t own your own machine.
The on-site gear shop has everything you need for a day on the trails.
Battery Park also has primitive camping, a rental camper, RV hookups, and a shower house for overnight stays.
Hot and cold food concessions are also available. The park is small enough that you can ride for half a day and move on to the next attraction.
Myrtle Beach is just an hour away, while Charleston is less than two hours from here.
One of two national forests located in South Carolina, the Francis Marion National Forest has two popular loops that are part of the Wambaw Cycle Trail, with up to 40 miles of offroad trails.
The sandy course was designed for motorbikes, but it can accommodate off-road vehicles up to 50 inches wide.
The North Loop and South Loop also have a warmup loop with bleachers for spectators.
The unique topography of this region offers several opportunities for wildlife spotting near the cypress swamps.
The Honey Hill primitive camping area is just a few minutes away, and a fire tower offers amazing views of the surrounding forest.
South Carolina’s Sumter National Forest offers three distinct ATV trails spread across two rangers districts.
A $5 permit is all you need to explore these ATV trails in South Carolina’s Sumter National Forest.
It’s always a good idea to call ahead to ensure the trails are open; they are typically open from the last Friday in March through the first Monday after January 1, although additional closures may be needed for trail management. Each district has several options for camping, including primitive camping and established campgrounds.
The Enoree OHV Trail is located in the Enoree Ranger District of Sumter National Forest. This trail system offers 23 miles of trails, with interconnected loops allowing for any combination of trails and mileage.
The Cedar Springs OHV Trail is located in the Long Cane Ranger District. The 12-mile trail includes gravel and clay roads, with one section of large rocks to maneuver around or over. Two loops are one-way only, with a two-way connecting loop in the middle.
Also located in the Long Cane Ranger District is the Parsons Mountain OHV Trail. This 11-mile one-way trail is exclusively for ATVs and dirt bikes and offers two loops for both novice and experienced riders. The trail winds through pine plantations frequently found in this part of the state.
How old do you have to be to drive an ATV in South Carolina?
In the state of South Carolina, the minimum age requirement to operate an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is 6 years old.
However, it’s important to note that riders aged 6 to 15 must complete an approved safety course and be under the direct supervision of an adult while operating the ATV.
Check out our post about ATV Riding in South Carolina to learn more.
Additionally, the ATV used should be age-appropriate, and a safety helmet and eye protection is required.
Children under the age of 6 are strictly prohibited from operating an ATV under state law. Always remember, safety is paramount when it comes to operating ATVs.
Fun ATV Riding Clothes
While protective gear is essential on the trail, looking cute and sharing your wilder riding side with the world is okay. I’m a big fan of ball caps and love this adorable “ATV hair, Don’t Care” hat from Sew Vivid Design on Etsy. Be sure to check out all this cute ATV apparel.
Get This FREE ATV Pre Ride Inspection Checklist!
Recommended ATV Riding Resources
- Top ATV Trails Near Me in the Southeast
- Must-Have ATV Accessories
- ATV Riding Clothes– Everything you need to get started
- ATV Trails Near Me Facebook Group
MORE RELATED RESOURCES
Looking for more places to ride near South Carolina? Head to our post on the best ATV Trails in North Carolina and 16 heart-stopping ATV Trails in Georgia.
If you want to try a new off-roading adventure, try these Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona, Arizona.