Woods Ferry Recreation Area

Welcome to the **Woods Ferry Recreation Area Campground**, a true South Carolina gem nestled within the rolling hills and picturesque hardwood forests of the Sumter National Forest's Enoree Ranger District. For local residents seeking a genuine, rustic escape that emphasizes connection with nature, this destination provides a tranquil and highly versatile outdoor experience. Known especially for its unique appeal to equestrians, Woods Ferry is a haven where you can park your trailer, secure your horse, and immediately step onto miles of beautiful, well-maintained trails.

This site functions not just as a campground, but as a fully integrated tourist attraction focused on low-impact, natural recreation. It sits along the scenic banks of the Broad River, offering a fantastic setting for fishing and peaceful paddling, and is surrounded by a diverse forest environment that is home to a variety of local wildlife. While it offers a more primitive style of camping—focusing on the essential comforts without electrical or water hookups at individual sites—it delivers an experience rich in natural beauty and outdoor activity.

The atmosphere at Woods Ferry is one of serene seclusion. As one South Carolina visitor noted, it's a "peaceful place that we can get away to without being too far away." This blend of accessibility and quiet isolation makes it a perfect weekend retreat for families, dedicated hikers, mountain bikers, and especially those who enjoy camping with their horses. From morning hikes among the dogwoods and wild azaleas to evenings spent around a warm fire pit, Woods Ferry Recreation Area promises a truly refreshing break from the daily routine in the heart of the Palmetto State's beautiful Piedmont region. The campground is **open year-round**, allowing visitors to enjoy the forest's changing seasons, from the shade of the summer canopy to the warmth provided by pine thickets in the winter.

The Woods Ferry Recreation Area is beautifully situated in the western part of Chester County, within the Enoree Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest. While its postal address is listed as Union, SC 29379, the area is geographically located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina, along the east bank of the scenic Broad River. This placement makes it easily accessible for residents across the state, approximately 40 miles southwest of Rock Hill and 57 miles southeast of Spartanburg.

Access to the area is clearly marked, typically involving secondary State and County roads leading into the National Forest lands. The location includes a dedicated day-use picnic area and a boat ramp, making river access straightforward. The facility is committed to being welcoming to all visitors, offering robust accessibility features:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot.
• On-site parking for easy access to the campground and recreational areas.

Its proximity to the Broad River, less than a quarter-mile walk from the campground to the picnic area, ensures that fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities are always close at hand.

Woods Ferry Recreation Area provides essential amenities designed for a comfortable yet rustic experience. The focus here is on outdoor simplicity and accommodating all campers, especially those with horses.

• Campsite Availability: The campground offers 15 single campsites, one double site, and one group campsite. All sites are available by reservation only.
• Equestrian Sites: A unique highlight is the availability of designated sites with **metal pipe horse corrals** (ten sites) or areas for high-lining/portable corrals, catering directly to the large local equestrian community.
• Basic Site Amenities: Each campsite comes equipped with a picnic table and a rock fire ring/grill for cooking and evening gatherings. Some sites also include a lantern post.
• Restroom Facilities: Clean vault toilets are centrally located throughout the campground for the convenience of all guests.
• Water Access: Running water is provided via centrally located water spigots throughout the campground. Please note: While running water is available, there are no individual water hookups at the campsites. Campers should be prepared for potential service interruptions.
• Day-Use Picnic Area: The adjacent day-use area features picnic tables, grills, and two group picnic shelters, ideal for larger gatherings or day visitors.
• Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed in the recreation area and campground, provided they are kept on a leash and handled responsibly.

Woods Ferry Recreation Area is distinguished by a variety of features that make it a standout destination for South Carolina outdoor enthusiasts:

• **Woods Ferry Horse Trail System:** The crowning jewel is the extensive 26-mile trail system, open to horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers. The trails are known for their exquisite beauty, clear color-coding, and detailed informational signs.
• **Broad River Access:** The campground offers easy access to the Broad River for water-based activities such as fishing (a valid SC license is required), canoeing, and kayaking, with a boat ramp nearby.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** The varied environment, with its mix of upland pine and hardwood forests along the river corridor, attracts diverse wildlife. Visitors have opportunities to spot red-shouldered hawks, great blue herons, osprey, wood ducks, and even the American Bald Eagle.
• **Kid-Friendly Fun:** The area is good for kids, offering simple, natural fun. The well-marked trails are great for kid-friendly hikes, encouraging young explorers to connect with the natural environment.
• **Day-Use Fishing Platforms:** Three dedicated fishing platforms are available in the day-use area, allowing anglers and wildlife viewers easy access to the riverbank.
• **Leeds Shooting Range Proximity:** For those interested in target practice, the nearby Leeds Shooting Range offers an additional recreational opportunity, as mentioned by a local visitor.
• **Year-Round Operation:** Unlike some seasonal parks, Woods Ferry Campground is open all year, giving local users the flexibility to visit during the milder South Carolina winter months.

Woods Ferry Recreation Area is managed by the USDA Forest Service, Enoree Ranger District, as part of the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. All campsites are available for reservation through the National Recreation Reservation System.

Address: Union, SC 29379, USA (Located in Chester County, near Carlisle/Union area)

Phone: Enoree Ranger District Office: (803) 276-4810

Reservations: All sites are available by reservation only via the Recreation.gov website.

Woods Ferry Recreation Area is worth choosing for the South Carolina resident who values an **unplugged, activity-rich, and uniquely equestrian-friendly** camping trip. It stands apart from conventional RV resorts by offering a genuine, forest-immersion experience. The lack of electricity and water hookups at the individual sites reinforces the rustic, peaceful ambiance, which is the very reason many choose a getaway here.

The single biggest reason to choose Woods Ferry is the **26-mile Woods Ferry Horse Trail** and the accompanying **equestrian-specific campsites**. For horse riders across the region, this is a meticulously maintained, well-marked trail system that offers exquisite scenery and the convenience of corrals right at the campsite. The local Woods Ferry Horse Club is clearly dedicated to preserving and improving this area, which ensures a quality experience for all trail users—equestrian, hiker, or mountain biker.

Beyond horses, the location on the Broad River offers excellent opportunities for **low-stress water recreation**. The ability to fish from the bank or launch a canoe a short distance away adds significant value. It is an affordable, accessible, and reliably peaceful environment that caters perfectly to a local demographic seeking to escape the hustle and reconnect with the natural landscapes of the South Carolina Piedmont. Choose Woods Ferry for a memorable, active, and uniquely Southern outdoor adventure.

Woods Ferry Recreation Area

Union, SC 29379, USA