barnwell mountain recreation area

I recently spent 4 days at BMRA for the 2014 SCARR event where Land Rover owners from all over the country come to test their vehicles and off road driving skills. I checked in at the front office and got a map as well as my event bag of goodies and headed out to Camp Maybey to set up my campsite. I opted to set up in the open meadow as I knew the area in the trees would get noisy for this event. I really didn't hit the trails until Thursday morning and rode most of them (except the grade 5 ones that are mostly for big rock crawlers) and had a great time. We did get some rain and that increased the skill level needed as the trails got muddy and a bit slippery. On the plus side beyond mentioning the variety of trails I would give high marks to the nice composting style lavatories scattered around the facility, these are cement structures with stainless toilets and compost the waist so it usually does not need to be pumped out. They were first class as was the new shower facility with 4 showers and 4 flush style toilets at base camp near the pavilion. I did not stay in the cabins but they do look quite nice and the AC would be a big plus in warmer weather. About the only negative is that they really need to add more signs for when trails cross and many just don't have any sign so you have to guess which trail you are about to go on based on the map. I would prefer a non satellite traditionally drawn map to the one they provide as the satellite image is not that good so again you have to guess at where you are. Just one last tip. Don't bring anything you won't want to be slightly stained red as the earth their is redder than Georgia clay! All it takes is some rain and red puddles are everywhere!

The worst management I have ever delt with. The woman manager walked up to our cabin already on a bad mood and immediately started harassing us. She called me a b**** and treated us like thieves. We arrived at 10:30 pm, the employee on duty only got our name and number and told us to pay in the morning, so that's exactly what we were doing. While we were packing up, the woman manager (Leslie) walked to our cabin and started yelling at us asking why we were there and haven't paid. We told her about what her employer told is to do, and that we were Bout to come pay as soon as we finished packing our car up. She started throwing a fit, calling me a b**** saying we couldn't stay for free (we had no intentions of staying for free, like I said we were about to pay as soon as we finished packing). This was also our honeymoon night. This was the worst wake up I have ever gotten. I will never come back and recommend that no one does either. I cannot believe the way we were treated by this woman.

Even if I wasn't going for the great off-road trails, I'd enjoy camping at BMRA because of the beautiful mountain views & relaxing atmosphere. The office staff is always helpful. The bathrooms are very clean (recently remodeled). There are soda machines, a hose for rinsing off your rig and 2 high power air compressors for airing up before you leave. The office also sometimes has snacks for sell. The trails are marked very well and the levels for the trails are fairly accurate - just varies when the weather is wet. Make sure to pick up a laminated trail map from the office - it's very handy! Bring cash to pay with - although there is an ATM on site for convenience. Fairly new cabins are also available for rent if you don't like camping.And, remember: "Stay the Trail" and "Leave No Trace"!

Me and my buddies went for the 2nd time last saturday and had a ball, no drunk idiots to dodge just alot of peaceful open country and all types of terrain...by far the best ORP in my area...i would be willing to drive the 1.5 hours it takes to get there from my house every weekend.

We came to BMRA for the Mega Run 2009 and had a really great time. Don't get your hopes up because the facilities are quite limited. There are showers and potties, but they are at the front of the camp and not very convenient to go to. The camp itself is quite nice, there are several campsites to chose from; each with it's own feeling. There is also plenty of flat land to park a trailer and truck. There are many slots for RV's as well. The wheeling is really awesome, the trails are marked nicely and for the most part it is a very clean park. There are trails for the beginner wheeler and also very challenging trails for the experienced. Overall, we are looking forward to coming back to Barnwell Mountain.