State Lands

History

This property, acquired by the Resettlement Administration, was operated by the federal government as Poinsett Project during 1935-39.  The SC Forestry Commission assumed operation in 1939, changing the name to Poinsett State Forest.  The name was finally established as Manchester State Forest in 1949.
Manchester State Forest was operated under a 50-year lease from the federal government.  During the early years, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration were active partners in developing the property.  Manchester’s mission, as expressed in the lease agreement, was to develop a demonstration conservation area, utilizing the principles of multiple-use management.
Early on, Manchester posed a significant challenge to managers. Much of the property was infertile, cut-over, and subject to destructive wildfires; about 75% of the land was considered too poor to produce any kind of crop except trees.  Reforestation was a primary concern, but early records show that game management and recreation have been prominent parts of Manchester’s management since 1939.
The state forest property includes “Bellfield”, the home of South Carolina’s World War I governor, Richard I. Manning.
The Forestry Commission obtained title to the property in 1955. 

Operations

All the state forests managed by the South Carolina Forestry Commission receive no state appropriations from the General Assembly and is 100% self-sustaining. Operating funds for the forest, as well as salaries, are generated from the sale of timber products, land leases, Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permits and recreational use permits.
Additionally, every State Forest pays 25% of its gross income to the local school districts in the counties in which the forest is located.

Forest Management

The state forests are certified to the forest management standards of Sustainable Forestry Initiative™ and American Tree Farm System (ATFM). We are committed to promoting and achieving the Principles of Sustainable Forest Management including: practicing sustainable forestry, employing responsible practices, regenerating the forest and maintaining productive capacity, protecting and maintaining long-term forest and soil productivity, evaluating climate smart and fire resilience awareness, protecting water resources, protecting special sites and biological diversity, complying with legal requirements, and continually improving forest practices.

Manchester State Forest practices principles of high quality multiple-use and sustained-yield forest management. Multiple-use management includes enhancing timber production, fish and wildlife habitat, air and water quality, soil conservation, scenic beauty, scientific research and recreational opportunities.
Sustained yield means assuring that the renewable resources of the forest will always be available without impairing the productivity of the land. Manchester State Forest is managed to yield a variety of forest products, from pulpwood and sawtimber to poles and pine straw.
The predominant soil type is light sand, interspersed with swamps and bays. Stands of non-native slash pine, planted in the 1960s, are being gradually harvested and replaced with longleaf pine. In 1989 the forest was severely damaged by Hurricane Hugo. Sixty-five percent of the timber base was destroyed. Since then hundreds of acres have been salvaged and replanted.

Recreation

Permits

You will need a permit for any activity other than hiking at Manchester State Forest; this includes riding horses, ATVs, motorcycles and bicycles. Hunting requires a WMA permit through SC Department of Natural Resources.

All other recreational permits can be purchased online through sc.gov or at the Manchester State Forest office during regular business hours.

• Daily permits are valid for the date of purchase only.
• Individuals 16 years of age and older are required to have a permit in their possession.
• Individuals 15 years of age and younger must be supervised by an adult 21 or older with a permit.

Trail etiquette

• Use caution when overtaking another, and make your presence known in advance.
• Obey all trail markings and crossings.
• Obey gate closures and signs.
• Ride to the right and single file.
• Pack out what you pack in.

Horseback riding

Manchester is host to three different sections of the Palmetto Trail, which runs through the middle of the forest. Parts of the Palmetto Trail can be ridden by horse, as can other trails throughout the forest. Separate trails have been designated for horses and motorcycles/ATVs. View/download Manchester State Forest’s all-trails map, which includes the horse trails.

Trail use dates and hours

• Trails and roads designated as Equine Trails on this trail guide are open from sunrise to sunset on Sunday only during deer hunting season from September 15 through January 1.
• All trails are open daily from January 2 through September 14.
• Riders should take safety precautions when riding from January 2 through April 30 (small game and turkey seasons).
• Negative Coggins test results required.
• Night riding on the trails is allowed from January 2 through September 14 provided the following safety guidelines are followed.
• The horse and rider combination must wear a minimum of four highly reflective items with a least two of them visible from all sides of the horse.
• Acceptable equipment includes the following reflective items: horse ankle wraps, tail wraps, bridle covers, brow bands, stirrup dangles, personal vests, helmet covers, arm bands, and ankle bands.
• A crossing guard will be at all points where the horse trail crosses a road and shall wear a minimum of four highly reflective items.
• The crossing guard shall be positioned in a highly visible location until all horses have passed and use a suitable flashlight with sufficient brilliance to aid vehicular traffic in seeing horses crossing the road.
• The Poinsett Blue Trail is open from sunrise to sunset daily for an additional fee.
• A section of the Palmetto Trail is open to equine use daily.
• Riders should take safety precautions when riding the Palmetto Trail during all hunting seasons.

Off-highway-vehicle (OHV) riding

Manchester State Forest offers a large area with three different trails for OHV riding, which is open to motorcycles and all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs). View/download Manchester State Forest’s all-trails map, which includes the OHV trails.

• Open daily from sunrise to sunset January 2 -September 14, and only open on Sundays from September 15 – January 1.
• All OHV trails are marked with directional arrows.
• OHV riders must wear a helmet, and bikes must be equipped with a spark arrester.
• Safety helmets and eye protection meeting standard FMVSS #218 are required.
• All ATVs must have an age restriction warning label and be operated in accordance.
• All ATVs must have effective muffler system, approved spark arrester and a brake system in good operating condition.
• It is unlawful to operate an all-terrain vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance or in a reckless manner.
• Visitors to the forest are responsible for abiding by guidelines set for in Chandler’s Law, which establishes crucial safety requirements and regulations for children who operate all-terrain vehicles, better known as ATVs or 4-wheelers.
• Riding motorcycles or ATVs on roads is unlawful.
• Motorcycles:  Individuals 16 and older are required to have a permit in their possession. Individuals 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older with a permit.
• No one 5 or younger is allowed to operate or ride on an ATV.
• Individuals 6 to 15 must possess a safety certificate indicating successful completion of “hands-on” all-terrain vehicle safety course approved by the All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Institute.
• Individual 16 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a permit.

Bicycling

Bicycles, including Class 1 e-bikes permitted on designated trails and roads open to the public. Please refer to the full list of specifications for Class 1 e-bikes as defined by SC statute: https://bit.ly/EBikeSCStatute.

• Helmets are required when riding.
• Use caution when overtaking another, and make your presence known in advance.
• The trails are open from sunrise to sunset on Sunday only during deer hunting season from September 15 through January 1.
• The trails are open daily from January 2 through September 14. Riders should take safety precautions when riding from January 2 through April 30 (small game and turkey seasons).
• Night riding on the trails is allowed from January 2 through September 14.
• Every bicycle, when in use after sunset, shall be equipped with a visible light from the front and a reflector visible from the rear.
• Caution shall be taken at all road crossings along the trails.
• Sections of the Palmetto Trail are open to bicycles daily as outlined on the Palmetto Trail Map. Riders should take safety precautions when riding during all hunting seasons.
• Parking for trail use is allowed only at the designated staging area as indicated on the trail map. View/download Manchester State Forest’s all-trails map, which includes the bike trails.

Hunting

Manchester State Forest, along with a non-contiguous tract called Oak Lea, are included in the SC Department of Natural Resources’ (SCDNR) Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program as part of a cooperative agreement between SCDNR and the SC Forestry Commission. SCDNR sets and regulates the methods of harvest, bag limits and other requirements for hunting on WMA lands, including Manchester and Oak Lea.

Hunting seasons and regulations for Manchester State Forest are published in the SCDNR Rules and Regulations Brochures. Maps of the hunting areas on Manchester are available at the forest headquarters.
All persons must wear international orange on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). A law passed in May 2015 requires deer hunters to wear international orange on all South Carolina WMAs. Specifically, the act requires that “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.

• View/download a complete list (and graphics) of all South Carolina WMAs.
• View/download the Manchester State Forest WMA map.
• View/download the Oak Lea WMA map.

Public lottery hunts
Manchester State Forest also hosts public lottery dog hunts every year, each in a different compartment of the forest.

2026 Public Lottery Dog Drive Application

Boating / Fishing

There are four ponds and several creeks available to the public for year-round fishing. Only electric motors are allowed on the ponds. A valid state freshwater fishing license is required to fish on Manchester State Forest. Fishing licenses can be purchased online through the SC Department of Natural Resources’ Online Customer Service Portal.

Activities NOT allowed on Manchester State Forest

• Pets (unless on a leash)
• Altering of trails
• Drugs or alcoholic beverages
• Picking or cutting plants
• Camping
• Fireworks
• Littering

To view all laws and regulation pertaining to SCFC State Forest please see Section 8 of Forest Laws in South Carolina.

ATTENTION: Manchester State Forest is a natural, wildland environment and largely undeveloped; as such, it comes with inherent risks. You may encounter hazardous terrain (steep slopes, uneven ground, slippery surfaces), potentially dangerous plants (poison ivy, thorny brush) and/or potentially dangerous animals (dogs, snakes, insects, etc.)
Use at your own risk. Your safety is your responsibility.
Stay Alert — Be Prepared — Respect Nature

Manchester State Forest
6740 Headquarters Road
Wedgefield, SC 29168
Phone: (803) 494-8196
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. / 1-4 p.m.