Explore the best rated trails in Sumter, SC. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Sumter Cypress Trail and Wateree Passage (Palmetto Trail). With more than 11 trails covering 120 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Wife and I live in Bonneau Beach, which is on east side of Lake Moultrie and this portion of the trail is where we ride our recumbent trikes. The southern end joins the Swampfox passage at a parking area just off highway 52 . From the parking area you cross 52 (be carefull) to begin and in about 1/2 mile you will be on the eastern dike of Lake Moultrie heading north to the town of Bonneau Beach. A better parking area is near Shortstay (military recreation area) at the end of Old Black Oak road. Here you can enter a pedestrian gate and takes you right up to the dike, no highway or railway to cross, If eligible, the Shortstay RV park is a great way to camp and enjoy the trail. Heading north , this portion of the dike is packed gravel and stone, and ends at the community of Bonneau Beach. There is a small parking area at this Black Oak RD access point. Evelyns Diner is great for breakfast and further down Black Oak Rd towards the lake is the Watermark restaurant, good food and drink. It's a 2 mile ride through the community to get to the next section of the eastern dike. The entrance and small parking clearing can be hard to find as it is tucked back off General Moultrie Rd and Martin drive (not marked). The dike is actually labeled as Pooshee Plantation Rd on Google Maps. This portion of the trail is our favorite and travels the dike along the lake with wetlands and chances to see wildlife are assured. It is a two track path made up of packed finer gravel. There is also a primitive camping area (no facilities) We like to end our ride and picnic at the Amos Lee Gourdine boat ramp and beach area. The total distance from Shortstay going north to the Gourdine boat ramp area is about 15 miles. The trail continues along side the rediversion canal, crossing over the canal, but soon becomes unrideable especially for our trikes. The portion that I have covered in this review is the only part of the trail that I have found bike ridable especially a recumbent trike.
Wife and I live nearby (Bonneau Beach) and occasionally hike this trail. Many improvements are either completed or in the works such as walking bridges etc. I would recommend this trail for hiking but it has a long way to go to make it bike friendly. For those that would like to cycle in this area, I would highly recommend the Lake Moultrie Passage (an adjacent section of the Palmetto trail which runs along Lake Moultrie.) Trailink does not list this section which is mostly gravel and much more suited to bicycling. In fact, we ride our recumbent trikes from Shortstay campground near Moncks Corner for 15 miles to the Re Diversion canal near Russelville Sc. All of this section is on the dike around the Lake except for a small area through the community of Bonneau Beach. In Bonneau Beach, on Black Oak road, are 3 restaurants and local market. The Lake Moultrie passage has some great scenery along with wildlife typical of wetlands. The Lake Moultrie passage can be accessed at the southern end off of Old Black Oak Rd near the Shortstay Navy recreation facility . There is also parking in Bonneau Beach across from the diner to access the northern gate of the East Dike. Further north near Russelville there is ample parking at the Amos Lee Gourdine boat ramp.
This is a hiking and mountain bike trail. Not suitable for kids and novice bike riders.
Obstacles are tree roots and mudholes. In wet weather the mudholes are world class.
Took my dog and we had a blast. It was so peaceful and serene. There are markers with information on them about the land which was interesting to read. It’s paved all the way through the trail we went on which was nice. Definitely will go back!
Can't wait to explore all of the trails along the Three Rivers Greenway. The Cayce Riverwalk is AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL.
This short asphalt trail is almost completely shaded. Patching has been done in a few areas but it could use some attention. It would be nice if someone would take bright orange paint and highlight the cracks and holes that we occasionally found on the trail. They are treacherous for in-line skaters.This could be a spectacular trail with a touch more maintenance and if the paved portion was longer.
The trail is well maintained but very short. The advertised 12.5 miles is not achievable the portion we were on was only 2.5 miles. The rangers in the area were of no help and much more involved in leaf blowing that any directional help. The farthest North trailhead (The broad River Canal Riverfront Park) was not an area I would recommend to anyone to leave their car unattended. Several cars with people just sitting, no bike racks and evidence via broken glass of a recent car breakin. The trail “terminated seemingly” at the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park. This was a very nice area, but designed for walkers and joggers. Absolutely no literature to help find your way across the bridge and on to the other side of the canal. If you are a walker or jogger, don’t miss this trail option. If you are looking to do some cycling....save the time unloading and move on......
My son’s and I walked this trail Oct 1-3 it was wet and muddy. Great time for bonding. Prepare for wet shoes. Looks like they are preparing to do several upgrades.
We rode from Dillon Park to Cypress Park. Signage is mediocre at best and it was easy to miss turns. Cypress Park signage is non-existent and we gave up and turned around. Do not ride with street bike tires, balloon or fatter, with low pressure, needed for the sand and roots. Approach from Dillon Park has one VERY narrow spot in middle of trail with DEEP washouts on both sides. Rest of trail between parks seemed OK but challenging. Other reviews mentioned mud ... we saw some in Cypress Park just as we turned around, more ahead was what made up our mind.
What a lovely historic trail, with a lower and upper portion. There was also many rangers around working on different areas and so many people I felt very safe even on my own. The upper portion is fully lit and both portions are paved. The lower along the Broad river side is sidewalk style the upper is paved along the canal with signage on the original 1800 canal and lock keepers as you walk. This portion is close to 3 miles, out and back from my parking spot at far end of the trail in the Broad River Canal Riverfront Park. This portion runs along the east side of the rivers. The full Three Rivers Greenway trail appears to have never fully reopened and ends/starts at some Canal Riverfront living condominium and stores. There is free parking and an entrance at both ends of the Canal Trail. The official start appears to be from the parking lot at Blanding and MacDougall St. The trail is fenced closed at that point to continue south but runs north to where I started. The Three River trail appears to continue across the bridge at Klapman Blvd by the map, but I did not see a safe way to cross the bridge to access the other side of the rivers. I also note that I could see the trail where it used to continue to Klapman Blvd along the river but could not access it. It would be nice to know if Columbia ever plans to repair the full trail but there was no notifications anywhere. If i try the west portion I'll be sure to post on it also. 4 stars instead of 5 due it being a bit short for a bike ride, I like at least 7 miles but you could do it twice and get a more reasonable ride that way. It's a great walking spot and could give you a nice easy long walk/hike with spots you could stop to have a lunch along the canal.
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