Gravel Cycling in South Carolina

The national forests: the gravel motherlode

The Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests are laced with forest service roads, and the Forest Service says both mountain biking and road cycling are available in the forest. That makes the forests the backbone of South Carolina gravel.

Andrew Pickens District (the mountains). Big climbs, big descents, and cold creeks. This is where your legs find out what they’re made of.

Long Cane and Enoree Districts (the Piedmont). Rolling hills, pine forest, red clay, and quiet. The Long Cane is also home to the Forks Area Trail System, an internationally known mountain bike network, if you want to mix in some singletrack.

Francis Marion (the coast). Flat, fast, sandy in spots, and surrounded by longleaf pine and swamp. Watch for soft sand after dry spells and standing water after rain.

Jocassee Gorges

The Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges is one of the wildest places in the state. Under SCDNR rules, bicycles can be ridden on any road or area that isn’t posted as closed to bicycles. The Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail are closed to bikes there, so stick to the roads. Motor vehicle access in the Gorges follows a seasonal schedule, so check SCDNR before you go.

Know before you ride

• Check closures. Forest roads close for bridge work, washouts, and storm damage. Right now, for example, part of Worthy’s Ferry Road (FS 301) and Clark’s Creek Road (FS 305K) in the Enoree District are closed to vehicles while bridges are removed for a two-year stream restoration project that began in February 2026. Check the forest’s alerts page before every ride.
• Hunting season is real. Fall through winter, these roads are hunted. Wear blaze orange, and use a bell or call out on blind corners.
• Share the road. Many forest roads and trails are multiple-use, shared with hikers, horseback riders, logging trucks, and off-highway vehicles.
• Carry everything. Cell service is spotty or gone. Bring a paper map or a downloaded route, a repair kit, a spare tube, and more water than you think you need.
• Tires. Wider tires handle loose gravel, sand, and red clay a lot better. Clay turns to grease when it’s wet, so give it a day or two after rain.

Ride for every body

Gravel is for everybody, not just racers. Pick a short out-and-back on a flat Francis Marion road, bring snacks, and stop whenever you want. E-bikes and adaptive bikes open these roads up to even more riders. Check each property’s rules for e-bikes before you go.

Refuel like a local

The best part of a gravel ride is the country store at mile 30. Stop in, buy a cold drink and something fried, and ask about the roads ahead. Small-town stores and diners keep these rural routes alive.

More riding

See our Biking hub, the Best Mountain Biking in South Carolina list, and the Long Cane Trail. Prefer pavement? Try the Doodle Trail or the Mary Black Rail Trail.

Now go outside and play. Get a little dusty.