History

Acquired in January 2004, the original 12,395 acres of Wee Tee State Forest are located in Williamsburg and Georgetown counties. The addition of 6,105 acres to the southeastern boundary of this state forest in 2023 and 880 acres in 2025 increased the Forestry Commission’s riverfront property by six miles, creating even more bountiful fishing and hunting opportunities for the public in this sportsmans’ paradise.

This latest expansions would not have been possible without our conservation partners’ work on the beautiful Santee River; the collaboration of The Nature Conservancy, Open Space Institute and the SC Conservation Bank in securing this new acreage.

Wee Tee’s bottomlands and aquatic systems furnish excellent fish and wildlife habitat and provide the citizens of South Carolina numerous recreational opportunities. Though subject to periodic flooding, it is considered one of the most significant tracts of land in the Santee River floodplain. There is also a large freshwater spring located on the property near the upper end of Wee Tee Lake.

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.

Wee Tee State Forest encompasses over 12,400 acres of productive forest land. Most of the land base is dominated by 92% of bottomland hardwoods, pine/pine-hardwood comprising 6% of the forest and non-forested areas making up the remaining 2%. WTSF’s dominant pine type is loblolly pine comprising nearly 700 acres. Swamp bottomland hardwood is the dominant hardwood type, with 11,300 productive acres located exclusively in the Santee River floodplain.

Soil type consist of 92% Complex, 7% loam, and 1% sand. Wee Tee is  managed to be a healthy, productive, forested ecosystem, while improving the quality of life of South Carolina through the environmental, educational, economic, and recreational benefits of active forest management.

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.

Boating / Fishing

The property contains several oxbow lakes which are open for public boating and fishing. A valid state freshwater fishing license is required to fish on Wee Tee State Forest. Fishing licenses can be purchased online through the SC Department of Natural Resources’ Online Customer Service Portal.

Wee Tee WMA map (with canoe/kayak landings)

Hunting

Wee Tee 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 Wee Tee. Please visit the SC Department of Natural Resources’ website for information regarding hunting rules and regulations on Wee Tee State Forest.

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.

Access Points

1. Dirt road off Santee Road (County road 45) across from Sutton’ s Methodist Church. This road provides access to Wee Tee Lake. This road will be blocked at bridge across Wee Tee Lake due to hazardous bridges and unimproved roads.
2. Dirt road off US 17A/SC 41 on the North side of the Santee River. This road provides access to Ferry Lake.
3. Dirt road past Lambertown Park off 17A and County Road 388.

Activities NOT allowed on Wee Tee 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: Wee Tee 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

Wee Tee State Forest
3196 Santee Road
Andrews, SC 29510
jbryan@scfc.gov