Poe Creek State Forest
Poe Creek State Forest is a 2,508-acre tract in Oconee and Pickens counties near Lake Jocassee in the upstate of South Carolina. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Poe Creek affords spectacular views of the Piedmont, not to mention the abundant fishing and hunting opportunities. Straddling South Carolina’s scenic Highway 11, Poe Creek is also home to Long Shoals Wayside Park, a beautiful recreation area that spans a stretch of the Eastatoe Creek where locals and visitors alike congregate in warmer months for fishing, sunbathing and rock sliding in the cool mountain water.
History
PCSF is managed as two discontinuous tracts of land. The first 206 acres of the Piedmont Forestry Center was purchased in 1969 and an additional 494 acres were purchased in 1996. The Piedmont Forestry Center has a long history of service to the agency, serving in the past as a regional nursery until 1992 when it became an office, conference center and seed orchard.
The Poe Creek portion was also purchased from Crescent Resources, Inc. in October 2000.
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.
Poe Creek 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.
Recreation
Permits
Currently no recreational permit is required for hiking and bicycling.
Hunting and fishing require a WMA permit through SC Department of Natural Resources.
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.
Long Shoals Wayside Park
A popular 10-acre recreation area on Poe Creek State Forest called Long Shoals Wayside Park, originally managed by the SC Forestry Commission, occupies a stretch of the Little Eastatoe Creek along Scenic Highway 11 in northern Pickens County. The park, now managed by Pickens County, is a popular trout fishing site year-round (brook, brown and rainbow), but in summer months visitors enjoy sunbathing, swimming and sliding down the flat, gently sloping shoals into the (very) cold creek waters.
With the help of community volunteers led chiefly by upstate conservationists Dennis Chastain and Dr. George Smith, the Forestry Commission transformed this longtime party spot for locals into a must-see destination for travelers of all stripes back in the early 2000s.
Known as “Sliding Rock” to locals, Long Shoals Wayside Park is about halfway between the Piedmont Forestry Center and Keowee-Toxaway State Park on Highway 11; it has two parking lots, trails, picnic tables, a bike rack and a portable restroom. From the upper parking lot, follow the trail signs down to the shoals. Or park in the lower lot and take the fishing access trail to an area downstream of the falls.
Fishing
Trout fishing is available in Little Eastatoee Creek at Long Shoals Wayside Park and in the Cheohee River, which flows right by the rental cabin at the Piedmont Forestry Center . Visitors who rent either the conference facilities or either of the rental cabins at the Piedmont Forestry Center can fish for bass and bream on the property’s two-acre pond. A valid state freshwater fishing license is required to fish on Poe Creek State Forest. Fishing licenses can be purchased online through the SC Department of Natural Resources’ Online Customer Service Portal.
Fishing Rodeo at Piedmont Forestry Center
Every year in mid-May the Piedmont Forestry Center plays host to a youth fishing rodeo organized by the SC Department of Natural Resources. The free day of fun and fishing is for youth 12 and under; participants should pre-register online or by calling (803) 737-8483. Participants should also bring their own fishing equipment and bait. Adults are not allowed to fish at this event, only youth. Fishing takes place from roughly 9-11:30 a.m., and refreshments are typically available from 11:30 a.m. to noon.
For more information on the youth fishing rodeo at Piedmont Forestry Center, call SCDNR’s Clemson office at (864) 654-1671, extension 18.
Hunting
Poe Creek State Forest is 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. Opportunities for hunting deer, bears, squirrels, rabbits and turkeys abound. SCDNR sets and regulates the methods of harvest, bag limits and other requirements for hunting on WMA lands, including Poe Creek.
Hunting seasons and regulations for Poe Creek State Forest are published in the SCDNR Rules and Regulations brochures.
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 the Poe Creek State Forest WMA map
- View/download the Piedmont Forestry Center (at Poe Creek State Forest) WMA map
- View/download a complete list (and graphics) of all South Carolina WMAs.
Facilities
Also on Poe Creek State Forest is the Forestry Commission-owned and -operated Piedmont Forestry Center, the agency’s former Upstate nursery site, which offers a large conference facility as well as two cabins, each of which are available to rent by the public separately or in combination.
Cabin and Gate House Rentals
Located along the Cheohee trout stream flowing through the Piedmont Forestry Center property, this backcountry “cabin” is the perfect rustic getaway for couples, families and other mid-sized groups. It features a full kitchen and spacious living room with satellite TV. Within steps of the cabin door are a grill, fire pit, pole shed and a wooden deck overlooking the Cheohee stream, which is stocked with three species of trout. With four bedrooms and eight beds, the cabin sleeps nine people, but there’s so much more to do outside!
A smaller dwelling on the property, called the “gate house,” is also available for rent. Located closer to the pond at the Piedmont Forestry Center, the gate house sleeps five people. Rates for these lodgings vary for weekends and special dates (see rental rates and restrictions below).
- Mountain cabin rental: $150/night (max 9 people).
- Gate house rental: $150/night (max 6 people).
- No linens provided.
- A $100 deposit is required with any reservation, except by state/federal agencies or educational institutions. The deposit is fully refundable, pending no damage to the house or surrounding property and/or a minimum of one-week cancellation notice.
- During emergencies (fires or natural disasters), state and federal agencies take priority and may override any prior reservations. Refunds will be made if your reservation is cancelled for this reason.
- To book any of the Piedmont Center facilities or for more information, contact Poe Creek State Forest Director Chris McCorkle at at cmcorkle@scfc.gov or (864) 944-1104.
Rental cabin photo gallery
Conference Center Rental
The Center offers a picturesque location for your conference, business meeting or retreat, training or educational event. The Piedmont Forestry Center offers rental packages for its large and small conference rooms, kitchen and picnic shelter. The Center’s large conference room can seat up to 100 people. The small conference or breakout room has a capacity for about 25. Audio-visual equipment is available on request. A spacious kitchen and adjoining lobby/living room area are included in the rental of the large conference room.
Step outside the conference facility to a view of the mountains rising above 700 acres of forestland and meadows. Year round it is home to deer, flocks of turkey and migrating birds. There is a family-reunion-sized outdoor shelter with plenty of sturdy picnic tables, running water and electricity.
Conference center rates
Packages that include the large conference room also include use of the kitchen and the lobby area.
| Package A Includes large conference room, small conference room and break room with kitchen | $350 per day * |
| Package B Large and picnic shelter only | $250 per day * |
| Package C Small conference room and picnic shelter | $100 per day * |
*Deposit of $100 is required with any reservation, except by state/federal agencies, or educational institutions; and is refundable with no damage and a minimum of 1 week cancellation notice.
*During emergencies (fire or natural disaster) state and federal agencies take priority and may override any prior reservation. Refunds will be made if your reservation is cancelled for this reason.
Activities NOT allowed on Poe Creek State Forest
- Drugs or alcoholic beverages
- Camping
- Picking or cutting plants
- Fireworks
- Pets (unless on a leash)
- Littering
- Altering of trails
To view all laws and regulation pertaining to SCFC State Forest please see Section 8 of Forest Laws in South Carolina.
ATTENTION: Poe Creek 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
Poe Creek State Forest
151 Piedmont Nursery Road
Tamassee, SC 29686
Phone: (864) 944-1104
cmcorkle@scfc.gov