Fort Jackson Passage

Trail Description

Fort Jackson Passage takes you through the heart and into the woods of this important military facility. Fort Jackson was established in 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 great diversity in both plants and animals.

Note that Fort Jackson allows pedestrian traffic at its discretion. Under most circumstances you will be required to show ID at the Fort Jackson Boulevard entrance, which passes through the cantonment area. Additional entrances are located at Gate 5 and near the entrance to the National Guard’s McCrady Training Center, both along Leesburg Road. IDs are not required at these entrances at the present time. The McCrady Trailhead, which also doubles as the trailhead for the Boyd Passage, includes a bathroom, bike repair station, and an amphitheater for outdoor education. 

Additional Information

Participants are allowed to hike the Palmetto trail section that goes through Fort Jackson as long as they follow the stated guidelines: 

The new procedures for accessing the installation is now through an online application process for a Visitor Pass. You can now submit an online application without having to go to the Visitor Control Center at Gate 2. You will receive a text message either confirming your approval or letting you know you have been denied. The pass will then be digitally assigned to your ID used and when you arrive at the gate, simply present the ID for the gate guard to scan. This will allow use of Gate 1 without having to go to the Visitor Control Center at Gate 2, as long as you arrive during the hours that Gate 1 is open.

*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. 

The website for the online application is: https://pass.aie.army.mil/

If you have issues, please contact the Visitor Control Center:

Phone: (803) 751-5483

Email: usarmy.jackson.id-t2.mbx.fj-access-online-preregistration@army.mil

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

Directions

Trail Head

Columbia

Trail Head GPS Coordinates

Below are the GPS coordinates for the trail heads. You can also click on the trail head markers in the map below.

Get directions to this trail head
Latitude: 34.00735672688464
Longitude: -80.72647647564756

Get directions to this trail head
Latitude: 34.00712448786339
Longitude: -80.72665248076140

Parking GPS Coordinates

Below are the GPS coordinates for the parking locations. You can also click on the parking markers in the map below.

Get directions to this parking location
Latitude: 33.99683040555495
Longitude: -80.90122166474579

Get directions to this parking location
Latitude: 33.98652250675699
Longitude: -80.88947189266773

Get directions to this parking location
Latitude: 34.00743881751393
Longitude: -80.72647850661589

Get directions to this parking location
Latitude: 34.00717104364913
Longitude: -80.72649233478123

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