South Carolina Forestry Commission
Manchester State Forest Horse Trail Guide

Maps

Manchester Trails Map (pdf)

EQUINE REGULATIONS

PERMITS

Permits are required for all activities except hiking.
Permits can be obtained at Manchester State Forest Headquarters, Manchester State Forest Rifle & Pistol Range or by mail.
Annual permits are valid for one year from the date of purchase and are valid ONLY on the State Forest where purchased.
Daily permits are valid for the date of purchase.
Individuals 16 years of age and older are required to have a permit in their possession.
Individuals 15 years of age and younger must be supervised by an adult 21 or older with a permit.
Permits are nonrefundable.
Organized events must be scheduled with forest headquarters at least 45 days in advance.

 

NOT ALLOWED:
ALTERING OF TRAILS DRUGS ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES PICKING OR CUTTING PLANTS	CAMPING FIREARMS WHILE RIDING OR HIKING FIREWORKS PETS (UNLESS ON A LEASH)

ROADS

State Forest Access Roads are open to licensed and registered vehicles only unless designated as part of the trail.

TRAIL USE DATES AND HOURS

Trails and roads designated as Equine Trails on this trail guide are open from sunrise to sunset on Sunday only during deer hunting season from September 15 through January 1.
All trails are open daily from January 2 through September 14.
Riders should take safety precautions when riding from January 2 through April 30 (small game and turkey seasons).
Night riding on the trails is allowed from January 2 through September 14 provided the following safety guidelines are followed.
The horse and rider combination must wear a minimum of four highly reflective items with a least two of them visible from all sides of the horse.
Acceptable equipment includes the following reflective items: horse ankle wraps, tail wraps, bridle covers, brow bands, stirrup dangles, personal vests, helmet covers, arm bands, and ankle bands.
A crossing guard will be at all points where the horse trail crosses a road and shall wear a minimum of four highly reflective items.
The crossing guard shall be positioned in a highly visible location until all horses have passed and use a suitable flashlight with sufficient brilliance to aid vehicular traffic in seeing horses crossing the road.
The Poinsett Blue Trail is open from sunrise to sunset daily for an additional fee.
A section of the Palmetto Trail is open to equine use daily.
Riders should take safety precautions when riding the Palmetto Trail during all hunting seasons.

RIDING

Permits must be in possession while riding.
Current negative coggins required.
Individuals in violation of any regulation are subject to prosecution.
Parking for trail use is allowed only at the designated staging areas as indicated on the trail map.
Riding is allowed only on designated trails and as outlined above in the TRAIL USE DATES AND HOURS section.
Trails are color-coded to correspond with the trail map.
Horses must be tied to picket lines to avoid damage to trees.
Riders using the trails designated as Equine Trails on the trail map must ride right and in single file.

All users and/or visitors agree to abide by all published and posted rules set forth by the State of South Carolina, S. C. Forestry Commission, Manchester State Forest, and that for and in consideration of the privilege granted by the State of South Carolina, S. C. Forestry Commission, Manchester State Forest, do hereby and forever release and waive for himself/herself, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns the State of South Carolina, S. C. Forestry Commission, Manchester State Forest, its agents, servants, and properties, any and all claims, demands, damages, actions, causes of action or suits at law or in equity, of whatsoever kind or nature for or because of any matter or thing done, omitted, or suffered to be done by the State of South Carolina, S. C. Forestry Commission, Manchester State Forest, its agents, servants, or properties, on account of any and all claims of whatsoever kind or nature arising out of or in any manner connected with any presence or activities on the lands of the State of South Carolina, S. C. Forestry Commission, Manchester State Forest.

TRAIL ETIQUETTE

Use caution when overtaking another, and make your presence know in advance.
Obey all trail markings and crossings.
Obey gate closures and signs.
Ride to the right and single file.
Pack out what you pack in.

CAMPING

Campsites are available at Poinsett State Park, (803)494-8177 or Sumter County Recreation Department’ s Mill Creek County Park, (803) 436-2248.

 

 

Emergency Call Boxes

Manchester has installed three Emergency Call Boxes for trail users in the event of an emergency.  There have been several accidents on the recreation trails, especially in the OHV area, and cell phone service is very poor in the Manchester area so the boxes were seen as a remedy for this communication problem in the event of emergencies. 

When the button on the call box is pressed, the call goes directly to the Sumter County 911 Dispatch.  The Dispatcher can communicate back with the caller and get emergency help as needed.  Only emergency calls to the Dispatch Center can be made on these boxes.  To make an emergency call press the button in the lower right corner of the box.

CONTACT

Manchester State Forest office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM.
The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Phone: (803) 494-8196.

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Forest Recreation / Manchester State Forest / Reference Resources / Forest Management