Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park

Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park
Background and History

Stumphouse Mountain Bike Park is a public mountain biking and multi-use trail facility located in Stumphouse Park near Walhalla, South Carolina. It sits on about 440 acres within a historic park that also includes the Stumphouse Tunneland Issaqueena Falls. The bike park features a growing system of sustainably designed trails with berms, rock gardens, rollers, and other features suitable for a range of riders, and is built to standards established by professional trail builders and national mountain biking organizations.

The trail project began in the late 2010s as a collaborative effort between the City of Walhalla, Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Oconee County, and other partners to expand recreation and link with the Palmetto Trail system — a cross-state trail network. Phase 1 of the mountain bike and shared use trails opened around 2018, anchored by the Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail, and expansion to additional miles of trail has continued since then.

Although the bike park itself is relatively new, it’s set within a site rich in history: the Stumphouse Tunnel was excavated in the 1850s for a railroad project that was never completed due to economic issues and the Civil War, and later was used by Clemson University to age blue cheese because of its cool, constant interior temperature.

Today the park is managed by the City of Walhalla and offers scenic outdoor recreation, drawing both local riders and visitors to its trails and historical features.

STUMPHOUSE MTB PARK
THINGS TO KNOW

Overview of the Park

Stumphouse is a public mountain bike park with flow-style trails featuring berms, rollers, tables, and rock gardens — great for beginners and experienced riders alike.
The trail system is part of the Stumphouse Passage, a section of the Palmetto Trail — a statewide route that spans nearly 500 miles.
Trails are multipurpose (shared with hikers) and clearly signed for directional use and right-of-way.
Pedal-assisted and electric bikes are welcome on the trails.

Hours & Access

Open daily from dawn to dusk (typically ~8 AM–8 PM in spring/summer, ~8 AM–6 PM in fall/winter).
Daily access requires a park fee (about $5 per vehicle; larger vehicles/buses are higher).
Annual passes are available at the park, with discounted rates for locals.

Trail Info & Riding Tips

Trails range in difficulty from easy flow to more technical options.
Do not ride trails when wet. This damages natural surfaces and leads to closures.
Keep an eye out for trail closure signage — it’s for safety and trail sustainability.
Because some trails are shared with hikers, watch for foot traffic and yield appropriately.

Parking & Access Points

Main access is from Stumphouse Tunnel Road parking.
A Ross Mountain Road parking area exists as another trailhead (rides toward other sections of the Park).
Note that bikes are not allowed in adjacent Heritage Preserve areas (enforced with fines).

Helpful Resources & Tools

Official Sources

Park Website & Trail Info – Official trail maps, conditions, closures, and contact info: stumphousepark.com
Contact for Questions / Closures – stumphouse@walhallapd.org (official park email).

Map & Trail Guides

Palmetto Trail / SCTrails.net – Map and GPS info for Stumphouse Passage and connected trail segments.
Local riding apps (e.g., MTB Project, Trailforks) often have user-generated GPS trail maps of Stumphouse trails (good for offline navigation).

What Logistic Mystic Offers

1. Bike Rentals

They offer mountain bike rentals (including quality hardtail bikes like the Specialized Chisel) — perfect if you don’t want to transport your own bike.
Rental usually includes helmet and accessories.

2. Shuttle & Ride Logistics

You can add pick-up and drop-off at the Stumphouse upper lot for your rental bike — great if you’re coming from accommodation or another trailhead.
They also have local route recommendations pre-loaded to apps like Ride With GPS so you can ride the best lines without worrying about navigation.

3. Lodging / Ride-In & Ride-Out Packages

Logistic Mystic partners with local cabins and tiny houses near Stumphouse and the surrounding Palmetto Trail — these can serve as home base for multiple days of riding.
Some lodging packages can include shuttles to the park or staging near trailheads.

4. Local Knowledge & Advice

They can give you insider advice on the best trails to ride based on your skill level, local conditions, and current trail status.
Since they’re local, they’re familiar with weather, closures, and the best riding loops in the area.

5. Customized Trip Planning

They’ll work with you to customize your trip — from rentals and shuttles to lodging and multi-day itineraries. Just reach out to them to discuss what you need.