About the Fort Jackson Passage
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Fort Jackson Passage takes you through the heart and into the woods of this spectacular military facility. Fort Jackson was established in the year 1917 to answer the call for trained fighting men in WWI. The Fort was named in honor of Major General Andrew Jackson, a native son of the Palmetto State and seventh president of the United States. Today the installation covers 52,000 acres and is the Army’s largest basic training center. In addition to hiking and mountain biking, this passage offers a great diversity in both plants and animals. You may also see a platoon of soldiers on their daily drill.
Interactive Maps Without Wifi
We have partnered with Avenza Maps in order to offer interactive maps that don't require an internet connection. Using the Avenza App, you can download maps onto your mobile device before you hit the trail, so that you locate yourself and be aware of where you are, even in the remotest of places. Offline location helps you stay on track, on the trail, and out of potential danger.
Get the Map
Directions
Trailhead at Gate 1 — From I-77 take exit 10 (Fort Jackson Blvd). Follow Fort Jackson Blvd. past Gate 1 into the Fort and follow the traffic circle to Ewell Road. Stay right on Ewell Road and you will see the parking area on your right. The kiosk is across the street from the parking area.
Trailhead at Gate 5 — From I-77 take exit 9 (Leesburg Road). Follow Leesburg Road (State Route 262) east toward Sumter. Go approximately 4 miles and the entrance to Gate 5 will be on your left. Park outside the gate. The kiosk is inside the gate to the right.
Parking area at Weston Lake: From I-77 take exit 9 (Leesburg Road). Follow Leesburg Road (State Route 262) east toward Sumter. Go approximately 8 miles and turn left at the Weston Lake Camp sign and the parking area is immediately on the right.
Trailhead at McCrady end From I-77 take exit 9 (Leesburg Road). Follow Leesburg Road (State Route 262) east toward Sumter. Go approximately 13 miles and look for the Palmetto Trail trailhead sign. The parking area is on the left side of the road.
Fort Jackson Gate Hours:
Gate 1
- 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.—Inbound and outbound traffic, Monday through Friday
- 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.—Outbound traffic, Monday through Friday
- Closed weekends
Gate 2
- Around the clock, seven days a week
- Commercial traffic on weekends only
Gate 4
- 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.—Monday through Friday
- Closed weekends
- Commercial traffic must use Gate 4 on weekdays
Gate 5
- 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.—Inbound and outbound traffic, Monday through Friday
- 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.—Outbound traffic, Monday through Friday
- 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. – Inbound and outbound traffic, weekends
Notes
DBIDs Card
Participants are allowed to hike the Palmetto trail section that goes through Fort Jackson as long as they follow the stated guidelines:
Hikers must to come to the Visitor Center at Gate 2 during operating hours (5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily). The participant must inform the Gate 2 personnel what their reason for visiting the Post is (Walking the Palmetto Trail) and submit themselves to a background check on each person who will be entering the post. Assuming that the background check comes back clear, they will be issued a day pass in order to hike the trail ONLY. They will not be allowed to utilize or visit any other portion of the Post or any other facilities that are not authorized on their day pass.
https://home.army.mil/jackson/index.php/about/Garrison/DES/physical-security/access-control
*We suggest all hikers hike this section no later than 1:00 PM in order to be off of the base by 5:00 PM.
Additional Information
Call Fort Jackson to confirm gate hours or Directorate of Emergency Services to report violations of rules and regs, ph (803) 751-3113.
Fort Jackson Passage Share Owners
Mr. & Mrs. Murkinson Alexander
Derrick L. Braddock
Gary R. Daves
Gene & Nancy Dinkins
Page Ivey
Col “Ret” Robert L Manning
Ken & Sherry McCullough
Howard Miller
Ted & Linda Moore
Darrell S. Mudd
Greg Maxwell
Chris Puffenbarger
Carl Risinger
Robert I. Smith II
Alice Steinke
Andrew Soltau
Dale Swygert
South Carolina Society Children of the American Revolution
University of South Carolina Chapter DAR
