Manchester State Forest
Pointsett State Park
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To get to Manchester State Forest you travel along the old King’s Highway which once ran from Camden to Charleston.  This was the home of the wealthy planters and you are now riding in their forest.  You ride over rolling sand hills across wooded creeks and throughout a forest with a mixture of pine, hardwoods and low vegetation.  Deer make their home here along with wild turkeys.
In the spring the green gives way to bright pink azaleas growing wild, cropping up sporadically.  The early blooms of the sourwood red maple greet you and then the scene brightens with clumps of wild dogwood and wisteria.  The large shiny leaves of the

magnolia reflect the sun as well as the traditions of the South.  Ride further along and you’re once again surrounded by the massive oaks, red cedars with their lacy Spanish moss and the longleaf pines which distinctively mark this trail.  You may spot a red fox seeking its dinner within these woods.

Throughout your ride you come out of the forest to cross dirt county roads and fields where you might see a flock of mourning doves.  You pass patches of wild cane and happen upon flowering mountain laurel, a wonderful example of nature’s healing process after damage by Hurricane Hugo.
You will ride through forest thick with hardwoods and pines.  The numerous deer drink at the spring-fed creeks that have cut through the terrain creating high bluffs.  White mountain laurel contrast with the deep green of the forest as you ride on ridges through these rolling hills.
Just as you’re lulled into the felling of the high country, you’re greeted by marsh.  Pines and hardwoods are replaced by cypress and tupelo trees.  The heavy Spanish moss makes the area feel untouched as it droops lazily.

Camping
Sumter County Recreation Department’ s Mill Creek County Park, (803) 436-2248.

Trails

• Miles of Trails: 20+ miles
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Terrain: dirt, sand
• Drinking Water: Stream water is safe for animals to drink but not for human consumption.
• Fees: $5.00 per day or $25.00 per year.
  
  

Directions
From Columbia: Drive east to a junction with SC 261. Turn south on SC 261 and follow for 10 miles to Poinsett Park Road (Sumter County S-43-63). Turn right and look for the trailhead on the left.
 
 Information
Manchester State Forest 
6740 Headquarters Rd,
Wedgefield, SC 29168
Phone: (803) 494-8196
http://www.state.sc.us/forest/refman.htm