STATE FOREST RECREATION

The South Carolina Forestry Commission currently manages the state's 5 state forests: Sand Hills, Manchester, Harbison, Poe Creek, and Wee Tee. These forests provide a wide variety of benefits for everyone.

You will need a permit for trail activity on the State Forests for Horseback Riding, ATV’s*, Motorcycles, and Bicycles. Permits are not required for hikers using the trails on Manchester or Sand Hills State Forests.No permits are required for recreation activities on Wee Tee or Poe Creek State Forest at this time.

Parking passes are required at Harbison State Forest in Columbia. These passes can be obtained at fee boxes located in each parking area on the Forest, no additional permits are required for Harbison.

Sand Hills, Manchester, Wee Tee, and Poe Creek are also under WMA lease agreement and all pertinent hunting and fishing regulations pertain must be observed.

Permits

Permits and parking passes can be obtained from each State Forest’s Headquarters, online (or at fee boxes in parking areas on Harbison). The cost for individual permits are : Daily - $5.00 Annual - $25.00
Parking Passes (Harbison only): Daily - $5.00 Annual - $25.00.
Permits are valid ONLY on the State Forest where purchased.

All hunting and fishing is regulated under the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Area Program. Regulations, bag limits, and seasons are available by contacting the SC Department of Natural Resources (opens in a new window) at 803-734-3886.

All persons must wear orange on WMAs
A law passed in May 2015 requires deer hunters to wear international orange on all South Carolina wildlife management areas (WMAs). Specifically, the act requires "All nonexempt persons must wear a hat, coat, or vest of solid international orange while on Wildlife Management Area lands during deer hunting season.”
WMA regulations exempt persons hunting for dove, turkey, ducks, geese, and other migratory birds including crow from the requirement of wearing international orange. All other persons on a WMA during deer season
must wear international orange."
A list and graphic of all South Carolina WMAs can be found at: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/wma/

For information on all state-wide trail activities visit the SC State Trails Program .(opens in a new window)

Canoe/kayak landings on State Forests

Forest Directors

* Chandler's Law, effective July 1, 2011, includes new requirements and restrictions regarding ATV use. For details on this legistlation, go to www.ChandlersATVlaw.com.

SAND HILLS

Sand Hills State Forest, a 46,838 acre tract in Chesterfield and Darlington Counties near Patrick.
Recreation available: Deer Hunting, Quail Hunting, Dove Hunting, Squirrel and Rabbit Hunting, Turkey Hunting, Pond Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding Trails, Individual Camping, Picnicking.

MANCHESTER

Manchester State Forest , a 28,675 acre tract in Sumter County near Wedgefield.
Recreation available: Deer Hunting, Quail Hunting, Dove Hunting, Squirrel and Rabbit Hunting, Turkey Hunting, Pond Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding Trails, Bicycle Trails, Motorcycling, Picnicking, Rifle and Pistol Range.

State Forest Sustainable Commitment Statement (pdf)

STATE FORESTS Long Range Plan

 

Forestry Commission State Forests Achieve Internationally Recognized Certification

HARBISON

Harbison Environmental Education Forest, a 2,137 acre tract in Richland County inside the Columbia city limits. No hunting or fishing is allowed on this Forest.
Recreation available: Hiking, Bicycle Trails, Scout Camping, Picnicking, Interpretive Nature Study. Canoe access to Broad River is available by permit.

WEE TEE

Wee Tee State Forest contains 12,403 acres and more than 12 miles of frontage on the Santee River. Included in the property is a 200-acre lake and numerous ponds and oxbows. These bottomlands and aquatic systems provide excellent fish and wildlife habitat.


Recreation available: Hunting, Fishing, Canoeing/Kayaking. Biking restricted to existing roads.

WTSF Canoe Landing (pdf)

POE CREEK

Poe Creek State Forest is a 2,498 acre tract in Oconee and Pickens Counties near Lake Jocassee in the upstate of South Carolina.
Recreation available: Deer Hunting, Bear Hunting, Dove Hunting, Squirrel and Rabbit Hunting, Turkey Hunting, Trout Fishing, and Hiking are available. Cabin and conference facility rentals are also available.

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