If you are new to Pickens County and arrive with a dirt bike in the garage, you may quickly discover something surprising: finding a place to legally ride can be harder than finding a mountain to ride on.

The Upstate certainly doesn’t lack dirt roads, mountains, old logging roads or powerline cuts. The problem is that many of the places where locals rode motorcycles decades ago are now private property, closed to motorized traffic, or otherwise off limits.

A recent conversation among Upstate riders showed just how common the question still is. Someone new to the area simply wanted to know where her husband could ride a dirt bike. The answers ranged from established OHV areas such as Enoree and Brown Mountain to memories of riding around Glassy Mountain and local powerlines years ago.

So where can you actually ride today?

Fortunately, there are several legitimate options within day-trip distance of Pickens and the Table Rock area.

Enoree OHV Trail – Sumter National Forest

For riders who want to stay in South Carolina, Enoree OHV Trail is one of the best places to start.

Located in the Enoree Ranger District of Sumter National Forest, the trail system has approximately 24 miles of designated motorized trail. Dirt bikes, ATVs, and UTVs up to 50 inches wide are permitted. A trail-use fee is required.

This isn’t simply an old forest road where motorcycles happen to be tolerated. It is an actual Forest Service OHV trail system intended for motorized recreation.

There is one important catch.

Don’t load the bikes until you know the trail is open.

The Forest Service closes OHV trails when conditions become too wet because riding can damage the trail and cause erosion. The Sumter National Forest specifically advises riders to use its “Call Before You Haul” information before heading out.

For Pickens County riders looking for a legal trail system without leaving South Carolina, Enoree belongs near the top of the list.

Brown Mountain OHV – North Carolina

If mountain riding is what you have in mind, Brown Mountain OHV Trail System is probably worth the drive.

Located in Pisgah National Forest north of Morganton, Brown Mountain has approximately 34 miles of designated OHV trails.

The Forest Service says the trails are primarily designed for trail bikes and ATVs. Only limited portions are available to Jeeps and other four-wheel-drive vehicles, which makes Brown Mountain particularly attractive to motorcycle and ATV riders.

This is considerably different from riding a relatively flat dirt trail.

You’re in the mountains.

Expect elevation changes, rocks, climbs and terrain that can become substantially more challenging depending on the trail selected and recent weather.

Permits are required, and riders must remain on designated trails.

Brown Mountain also comes up repeatedly when experienced riders discuss western North Carolina riding areas. For someone wanting an actual mountain trail experience rather than a motocross track, it is one of the more interesting options within reach of the Upstate.

Lake Houser Adventures – Mooresboro, NC

Another option is Lake Houser Adventures Off-Road Park in Mooresboro, North Carolina.

This is a private off-road park rather than a National Forest trail system, and it offers more than 600 acres of riding terrain.

Dirt bikes are specifically allowed along with ATVs, UTVs, Jeeps, and other off-road vehicles. The park says it has trails suitable for different skill levels and is open throughout the year from daylight until dark.

As of our August 2026 check, the park lists a $20 cash day rate at the office, while online day passes are listed at $25. Waivers are required. Because prices and rules can change, check directly with the park before leaving home.

Primitive camping is also available, making this an option for riders who want to turn a day of riding into an overnight trip.

Brushy Mountain Motor Sports Park – Taylorsville, NC

Serious trail riders should also know about Brushy Mountain Motor Sports Park.

Brushy Mountain is considerably farther from Pickens than some of the other choices, but what you get in exchange is a destination built around off-road riding.

The park covers more than 1,700 acres and currently advertises more than 100 miles of trails for dirt bikes. Terrain ranges from intermediate to expert, with elevations between roughly 1,300 and 2,500 feet. There is also a youth trail.

This is the kind of place that makes sense for someone who wants to spend most of the day riding rather than simply finding a short trail to explore.

Brushy’s current schedule lists riding Wednesday through Sunday, with Monday and Tuesday closed, although riders should always verify current conditions and operating hours before making the drive.

The Cut MX Park – Easley

Not everyone asking about dirt bikes is looking for miles of forest trail.

For motocross riders, there’s an option surprisingly close to home.

The Cut MX Park is located at 4486 Old Easley Bridge Road in Easley. Current track listings identify it as an active motocross facility.

Because motocross practice schedules and events can change frequently, we recommend checking the park’s current schedule before loading the trailer.

Still, its location makes it particularly interesting for Pickens County riders. You don’t necessarily have to drive halfway across South Carolina or into the North Carolina mountains just to find dirt.

Pine Grove Motocross – Westminster

Another South Carolina motocross option is Pine Grove Motocross in Westminster.

The track is located at 109 E. Spearman Road. Current track information describes it as a practice-oriented motocross facility, although recent public scheduling information is limited.

That means this is another check-before-you-go destination rather than somewhere we’d recommend simply arriving with a trailer.

For riders in western Pickens and Oconee counties, however, Westminster is close enough that it deserves to be on the radar.

Wayehutta OHV – Western North Carolina

Western North Carolina offers another National Forest option at Wayehutta OHV.

The Forest Service has historically maintained roughly two dozen miles of OHV trail here, including substantial reconstruction designed to protect the surrounding watershed while keeping motorized recreation available.

Wayehutta makes particular sense for someone already planning a trip toward Sylva or the western North Carolina mountains.

As with other Forest Service OHV systems, current closures, seasonal restrictions, permits and trail conditions should be checked before traveling.

Oakey Mountain OHV – North Georgia

North Georgia opens up still more possibilities.

Oakey Mountain OHV Trail System in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest is managed specifically for ATVs and dirt bikes. Full-size Jeeps and other 4×4 vehicles aren’t permitted on the OHV trails.

The trail system consists of interconnected loops, allowing riders to choose different ride lengths.

Weather matters here too. Motorized trails may be closed during wet conditions to prevent erosion and damage.

For Pickens riders willing to head west instead of north or southeast, the north Georgia mountains significantly expand the number of legal riding opportunities.

What About Horsepasture?

This is where things get a little more complicated.

Mention dirt bikes around Pickens County long enough, and someone will eventually mention Horsepasture, old logging roads, powerlines, or another favorite local riding area.

That doesn’t automatically mean you can legally ride a dirt bike there today.

National Forest roads have specific motor-vehicle designations, and other property may be privately owned. A road appearing on a map doesn’t necessarily mean unlicensed dirt bikes are permitted on it.

The same caution applies to powerline rights-of-way.

A powerline corridor may look like the perfect dirt-bike trail, but the existence of the right-of-way does not make the property public recreational land.

What Happened to All the Old Local Riding Spots?

Ask someone who grew up around Pickens County in the 1970s, ’80s or ’90s where they rode dirt bikes, and you may get a completely different list.

Glassy Mountain gets mentioned.

Powerlines get mentioned.

Old logging roads get mentioned.

Fields, creek crossings and trails between properties get mentioned.

That was a different Upstate.

Pickens County had considerably more undeveloped land, fewer subdivisions, and plenty of informal arrangements where somebody knew the landowner or simply knew where everyone rode.

Some of those old riding areas have since been developed. Others changed ownership. Gates went up. Liability became a bigger concern. Places that were once treated as neighborhood riding areas became private property surrounded by homes.

That’s why asking an old-timer where they used to ride isn’t quite the same thing as asking where you can legally ride today.

Track Riding vs. Trail Riding

Before choosing a destination, it helps to know what kind of riding you’re actually looking for.

Motocross riders will probably be happier investigating places such as The Cut or Pine Grove.

Trail riders should look harder at Enoree, Brown Mountain, Wayehutta and Oakey Mountain.

For riders wanting a large private off-road park, Lake Houser is an attractive option.

And riders looking for a more serious destination with extensive mountain trails may find the longer drive to Brushy Mountain worthwhile.

The bike matters too. A lightweight trail bike and a large dual-sport motorcycle can produce very different experiences on the same rocky mountain trail.

Before You Load the Trailer

OHV areas are especially susceptible to temporary closures. Heavy rain can close a Forest Service trail that was open just days earlier. Private parks can change schedules for races, maintenance or weather.

Always check the official source for current hours, trail status, fees and vehicle requirements before leaving home.

Also pay attention to whether a destination requires an OHV permit, spark arrestor, helmet or other equipment.

And most importantly, don’t assume an unmarked dirt road is legal simply because someone else has ridden there.

A few minutes spent checking can save you from finding a locked gate or having a much less pleasant conversation with a landowner or law enforcement officer.

Dirt Bike Riding Is Still Here. You Just Have to Know Where to Look.

Pickens County may not have the seemingly endless informal riding areas that longtime residents remember, but living at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains still puts riders in a pretty good location.

Within a reasonable drive are National Forest OHV systems, private off-road parks, motocross tracks and some genuinely challenging mountain terrain.

The days of simply following a powerline until you found somewhere interesting may largely be gone.

But for riders willing to load the trailer and do a little planning, there is still plenty of dirt left to explore.

Editor’s note: Trail access, operating schedules, prices and regulations can change quickly. Information in this guide was checked in August 2026. Always verify current conditions with the managing agency or park before traveling.