History

Part of a unique ecosystem in South Carolina, Sand Hills State Forest is located in Chesterfield, Kershaw and Darlington counties, stretching from the eastern Piedmont to the inner coastal plain. The region is characterized by generally arid conditions with deep infertile sands deposited by a prehistoric sea. From 1935-1939 the federal government purchased tracts of land from local landowners as a relief measure under the Resettlement Administration. These landowners were resettled on more fertile land elsewhere. The land was managed as a state forest by the SC Forestry Commission under an agreement with the US Department of Interior from 1939 until 1991 when title was transferred to the state.

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.

Since its acquisition, Sand Hills has been used as a demonstration area for forest management. During the early years, the objective was to restore the land, to allow it to heal from erosion and misuse, and to protect it from the wildfires that burned annually.
Because wildfires, improper logging and poor farming practices had almost eliminated timber production, an intensive reforestation project was initiated in the 1990s, with particular emphasis on re-establishing native longleaf pine. In conjunction with the reforestation effort, a wildlife management program was started to improve habitat. An active prescribed burning program reduces fuel accumulation, perpetuates the longleaf pines, and stimulates the production of seed bearing plants for wildlife food. As a result of such efforts, the once-barren sand hills now support a large inventory of timber and a variety of game and non-game species.

Recreation

Permits

You will need a permit for any activity other than hiking at Sand Hills State Forest; this includes riding horses, bicycles or motorcycles (motorcycles can only be ridden on forest roads).

• 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.
• Recreational permits can be purchased online through sc.gov or at the Sand Hills State Forest office during regular business hours.

Reservations are required to use the picnic shelters and can be made by calling the forest office directly during business hours.

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.

Sugarloaf Mountain / day-use facilities

Sugarloaf Mountain is worth the trip to Sand Hills State Forest itself, with its expansive views of the Pee Dee’s forests stretching for many miles. Hiking the earthen steps to the top of the monadnock is a favorite pastime for visitors and natives alike, and a large day-use area with picnic shelters is available to reserve by calling the forest office directly.

Horseback riding

Sand Hills boasts more than 30 miles of horse trails for equestrian enthusiasts as well as a large area for horse trailer parking near Mountain Pond that contains several corrals. Overnight camping for horse groups is available at eight equine sites throughout the horse trailer parking area. Negative Coggins test results are required to ride on Sand Hills State Forest. Call the Sand Hills office to make equine camping reservations: (843) 498-6478.

Camping

Sand Hills State Forest offers 20 primitive campsites available for reservations, eight of these campsites are for equine use. Five of these sites, located off of Gas Line Road, have corrals.

The Sugarloaf Mountain Recreation Area has eight campsites located along Mountain Road. Six of these sites have accompanying shelters.

Four additional campsites are available, one with an accompanying shelter at Campbell’s Lake and three other single campsites without shelters at Hunter Pond, Lee Pond and Sexton Pond.

Most campsites have a picnic table, fire ring or fireplace and trash can. There are three restroom facilities: one near Mountain Pond, one at Sugarloaf Mountain and one at the equine camping area.
Call the Sand Hills office during office hours to make camping reservations: (843) 498-6478.
The Sand Hills State Forest Campsite Information page gives detailed information and photos of each campsite on the forest.

Boating / fishing

Thirteen ponds, stocked with bass, bream and catfish, are open for fishing year-round. A valid state freshwater fishing license is required to fish on Sand Hills State Forest. Fishing licenses can be purchased online through the SC Department of Natural Resources’ Online Customer Service Portal.

Only electric motors are allowed on the ponds, except for Sexton Pond, which allows up to 10-mph gas motors.

Hunting

Sand Hills 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. SCDNR sets and regulates the methods of harvest, bag limits and other requirements for hunting on WMA lands, including Sand Hills.

Hunting seasons and regulations for Sand Hills 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 a complete list (and graphics) of all South Carolina WMAs.
View/download the Sand Hills State Forest WMA map.

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.
• Caution shall be taken at all road crossings along the trails.

Sand Hills State Forest map

View/download the official Sand Hills State Forest map.

Activities NOT allowed on Sand Hills State Forest

• Altering of trails
• Swimming in ponds or creeks
• Drugs or alcoholic beverages
• Picking or cutting plants
• Firearms (while riding or hiking)
• Fireworks
• Pets (unless on a leash)
• Littering

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

ATTENTION: Sand Hills 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

Sand Hills State Forest
16218 Highway 1
Patrick, SC 29584
Phone: (843) 498-6478
SHSF@scfc.gov
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. / 12:30-4 p.m.