Broad River Sand Hills Technical Circuit

The Broad River Sand Hills preserve remnants of Pleistocene-era coastlines, creating a unique landscape of deep sand ridges and steep clay banks 100 miles inland from today’s ocean. This 18-mile circuit follows old timber roads and hunting trails through longleaf pine savannas and turkey oak scrublands, with several technical climbs up 40-foot sand faces that’ll test your lockers and momentum. The trail system connects multiple Wildlife Management Areas and crosses the Broad River at Parr Shoals, where you can still see ruins of the old mill town.

Difficult terrain requiring 4WD with aggressive tread and recovery gear—the sand climbs are unforgiving and the clay sections become impassable when wet. Hunting seasons close some areas, so check regulations before heading out. Best tackled in dry conditions from late fall through early spring. Primitive camping allowed in designated WMA areas with proper licenses. This route delivers serious technical challenges in terrain unlike anywhere else in the Southeast, where sand hills rise unexpectedly from river bottoms.