Introduction
The best guide to hidden waterfalls
In the
uppermost
reaches of
northwestern
South Carolina,
the clear waters
Jocassee
of Lake Jocassee
splash against
the base of
the Blue Ridge
Escarpment, a
“Blue Wall”
of hills that
represents the
sharp transition
between
the Carolina
mountains
and piedmont.
Forested slopes
Fall colors at Jumping Off Rock
drop in elevation
by 2,500 vertical
feet in a matter of one to two miles. The land supports
streams with names such as Saluda, Eastatoee, Laurel Fork,
Toxaway, Horsepasture, Bearcamp, Thompson, Whitewater
and Devils Fork, which carved the rugged gorges, creating
scenic waterfalls and other natural beauties. These gorges,
their streams and the more than 75 inches of precipitation
that occur here each year make this area unique among
mountain settings in the eastern United States. It is a place
worthy of protection.
Gorges
Gated residential communities began appearing across
the landscape in the 1970s and 1980s and wild lands were
being rapidly consumed by development. While some
envisioned roads and rooftops for the Escarpment of
South Carolina, conservationists Dr. James A. Timmerman
Jr. and John E. Frampton of the South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources (SCDNR) had different ideas.
Timmerman and Frampton worked closely with business
interests and conservation groups in the Upstate to protect
the largest contiguous parcel of mountain property in
South Carolina. In the fall of 1998, nearly 35,000 acres of
land were purchased by the State of South Carolina for
future generations to enjoy, and the area was formally
named the “Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at
Jocassee Gorges.” The area had been known locally as the
“Horsepasture” and is often referred to now as “Jocassee
Gorges.” Jocassee Gorges, along with conservation lands
in North Carolina and Georgia, helped form almost 250
square miles of protected forestland associated with South
Carolina’s Blue Ridge Escarpment and its watersheds.
The name “Jocassee,” according to legend, means
“Place of the Lost One.” Evocative Native American names
echo throughout the Jocassee region, such as Oconee
and Eastatoee, both tribes that inhabited the area. The
Eastatoees were called the Green Birds and likely received
their name from the Carolina parakeet, the only parrot
native to eastern North America, a species that became
extinct in 1904. Eastatoee Valley was the last site where
scientists recorded a sighting of the species in South
Carolina.
In 1787, botanist Andre Michaux discovered a “small
plant with saw-toothed leaves” that today is recognized
as Oconee bell, a rare plant species that is a hallmark of
the Jocassee Gorges. The region was also the location
of many detailed botanical studies in the mid-1900s that
documented the biological diversity of the Jocassee Gorges.
During the previous century, much of the land was
owned or managed by commercial timber interests. The
Singer Sewing Machine Company once owned the land
and harvested wood to make cabinets for their sewing
machines. Duke Energy and Crescent Resources later
purchased the lands for energy production and forest
management purposes.
In recent years, the area has been the site of important
wildlife and fisheries restoration projects involving white-
tailed deer, peregrine falcons and brook trout, among
others. Today, Jocassee Gorges is managed to provide a
wide array of recreational opportunities as well as home
to some of the most interesting botanical communities in
the United States. Jocassee Gorges is not only the legacy
of Dr. Timmerman and his contemporaries, but an integral
Jocassee
component of heritage for the people of South Carolina.
Many partners, in addition to those already mentioned,
helped make the Jocassee Gorges acquisition possible.
Among those partnering with SCDNR were Duke Energy,
Richard King Mellon Foundation, The Conservation Fund,
North American Wetlands Conservation Council, S.C.
General Assembly, S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation
and Tourism, S.C. Forestry Commission, Clemson University,
S.C. Governor’s Office, South Carolina Congressional
Delegation, U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy,
National Wild Turkey Federation, Foothills Trail Conference,
Trout Unlimited, S.C. Wildlife Federation and many other
groups and private individuals.
Gorges
Special Points of Interest
Dozens of special places exist among the ridges and
hollows of Jocassee Gorges. Waterfalls, rare plants, historic
valleys, scenic vistas and sparkling streams are some of
the highlights of these special mountain lands. Some are
accessible by vehicle, while others require a hearty jaunt
into the backcountry. Good topographic maps with their
place names are essential to successful outings in Jocassee
Gorges.
Waterfalls and waterslides can be found on most
waterways in Jocassee Gorges due to the steep gradient
of the terrain. Twin Falls, a popular falls within Eastatoee
Valley, may be accessed with a short ride and subsequent
hike through lands of a private conservation foundation. The
more adventurous
falls seeker might opt
to taken the mile-long
hike to the top the
falls on Twin Falls Trail
from Cleo Chapman
Road.
Several waterfalls
are scattered along
the shore of Lake
Jocassee with some
dropping directly into
the lake. Dozens of
smaller waterfalls
can be found on the
tributaries of Laurel
Fork, Cane, Side-of-
Mountain, Eastatoee,
Twin Falls
Emory and Willis creeks.
is a good set of ears that will detect the cascading waters in
their quest for the ocean.
Laurel Fork Falls is perhaps the most popular waterfall
within Jocassee Gorges. It plummets about 100 feet
into Lake Jocassee and is accessible by hiking along the
Foothills Trail or by boat excursion on the lake. Laurel
Fork Creek, above the falls, offers one of the most pleasant
and interesting hikes on Jocassee Gorges. Some visitors
will note odd patterns of vegetation that designate old
homesites, where early settlers once lived in the valley.
Hidden walnut groves are clues of yesteryear and a way of
life that has practically vanished.
Jocassee Gorges’ forests were once heavily cut for
their prized timber, and now it seems that the same forest
has attempted to cover up the past. Rusty, twisted narrow-
gauge railroad rails used to haul timber may be found in
the hollows, buried under a heavy layer of leaves and other
organic materials. Cane Creek and Reedy Cove Creek both
harbor those leftovers from early life and timbering in the
Southern Appalachians.
Some families used corn, sugar and old-style distillation
processes to help fund the family budget. Remains of liquor
stills are a common find along clear tributaries of many
hollows. Occupants who preceded the early American
settlers are thought to have left some traces behind, and
the forests of Jocassee Gorges have been unable to hide
them all. Embedded within the sheer granite slops of Long
Ridge on Pinnacle Mountain are hundreds of oval-shaped
petroglyphs, or rock carvings, believed to have been created
by some earlier civilization.Yucca, or “Spanish bayonet,” is
a plant once used by Native Americans in their personal
hygiene, and it was transplanted from camp to camp. Small
patches of those plants reveal sites that might have once
been occupied by the Cherokee.
Botanical delights include Oconee bell, trillium, showy
orchis, wild azalea and trout lily. Carolina hemlocks are
present on Roundtop Mountain. The trees are treated
periodically by SCDNR against the plight of the hemlock
wooly adelgid that has devastated Eastern hemlock trees
throughout the region. The Roundtop Mountain Passage of
the Palmetto Trail is a relatively new trail to the Jocassee
Gorges.
Oconee bells may be found deep in remote ravines in
any of the drainages headed for the Savannah River. Several
Oconee bell colonies thrive alongside streams that pass
under the Dawkins Flat or Horsepasture roads in the heart
of Jocassee Gorges. Another population of Oconee bell is
alongside Cane Creek.
Oconee bells
Spring and fall seasons offer unparalleled views of
the Blue Ridge. Dogwoods, wild cherry, redbud, downy
serviceberry and wild blueberry display their flowery
brilliance in early spring. The drumming of ruffed grouse
rumble across the mountainsides to herald the coming
of spring. Oaks, yellow-poplar, red maple, sourwood and
hickory take their turn in creating an incredible show in the
fall. A range of brilliant, earthy colors can be seen from early
October until late November. When the trees have given up
their leaves to blanket the earth, new vistas suddenly appear
along the “hog-back” ridges that support many of the main
roads. The famous Blue Ridge Parkway can be spotted to
the north, and water bodies such as Lake Hartwell can be
seen to the far south on a clear day. The hills of the Georgia
mountains are discernible at certain points. Jumping-Off
Rock and several other lookout points along Horsepasture
Road reveal the immense perspective of the region.
Jumping-Off Rock has been the most popular
destination within Jocassee Gorges for decades. In February
2008, a pair of peregrine falcons (formerly threatened) was
found nesting near Jumping-Off Rock. For a bird of prey
that favors cliffs and water, it seemed the perfect place
and they successfully raised their young that year. SCDNR
constructed a new overlook at the site to protect the
raptors and improve safety conditions in the area. Jumping-
Off Rock offers one of the most picturesque sights in the
eastern United States and is worth every inch of the 10-
mile drive.
Topographic maps, emergency supplies and a little
backcountry skill are all helpful for those who seek the
treasures of Jocassee Gorges. Outdoors enthusiasts are
also encouraged to take flashlights, spare tires, a compass
or other navigational aids. Old logging roads afford the
adventurer literally hundreds of trails and routes to traverse
the countryside, and it is possible to get “turned around”…
as the locals say, maybe for just a few short minutes or
possibly for a long, chilly night. The immense forests can
offer quite a challenge to even the most experienced
adventurer, so it is wise to be prepared.
Educational Opportunities at
Jocassee Gorges
Nestled between the mountain and piedmont
physiographic regions of the Southern Appalachians, the
Jocassee Gorges has unique biological and historical
attributes that set the stage for special educational and
research opportunities. Institutes of higher education,
grade school teachers and others with simple inquiries of
the wonders of the natural world will all find something
of interest in Jocassee Gorges. Scientific research has
established a baseline of information about the diversity
of resources within Jocassee Gorges, and that information
guides management of the property.
Formal researchers may secure a research permit
for approved investigative studies to be coordinated and
conducted in the Jocassee Gorges. Interested researchers
may visit http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee/
research.htm to learn more about research in Jocassee
Gorges.
The diverse and unique natural areas and resources
on Jocassee Gorges provide an exceptional opportunity
for outdoor-classroom-style education. From kindergarten
to college, students can learn about the unusual geological
formations of the Jocassee Gorges, the unique plant and
animal communities that have resulted, and management
efforts to maintain and protect the resources of the area.
Opportunities for “hands-on” activities and field excursions
by land or boat are possible.
The SCDNR and conservation organizations conduct
educational excursions periodically, and state park
interpreters conduct a variety of nature-based programs
and walks highlight mountain resources and culture.
Hiking
Toxaway gneiss, oldest rock in South Carolina
Jocassee offers a wide array of hiking experiences.
Constructed trails include the Foothills, Palmetto, Eastatoee
Creek Heritage Preserve Spur and Twin Falls. Experiences
may be hand from an easy saunter to the state’s highest
point at 3,553 feet atop Sassafras Mountain to a heart-
pounding plummet into some of the steepest gorge terrain
in the Southeast. More primitive hiking is possible along
more than 100 miles of old logging roads that have been
repaired throughout Jocassee. An occasional Cherokee
Indian trail might be encountered in the backcountry.
Crossroads Mountain, one of the wildest places in South
Carolina, .offers some remote hiking opportunities and
is best accessed through North Carolina’s Gorges State
Park or by boat in the upper reaches of Lake Jocassee.
Opportunities for hiking on the wilder side may be had in
the Musterground area along the western shore of Lake
Jocassee. Emergency supplies and good maps are essential
to successful hiking experiences in the Jocassee Gorges.
The Foothills Trail is a 77-mile footpath extending
from Table Rock State Park at its eastern terminus to
Oconee State Park in the west. The Foothills Trail affords
an east-west crossing of Jocassee at the higher revelations.
Many sections are strenuous and will test the most
seasoned hiker. Other sections are more suited to family
outings to catch a glimpse of a hidden waterfall or display
of blooming trilliums. Mountain crests with scenic views,
shady gorges and coves with special botanical features are
all important features along the trail. The Foothills Trail
crosses or follows most of the major streams and rivers
of the Jocassee Gorges and adjacent conservation lands
including Eastatoee Creek, Laurel Fork Creek, Toxaway
River, Horsepasture River, Bearcamp Creek, Thompson
River, Whitewater River, East Fork Creek and Chattooga
River, among others.
Activities associated with the Foothills Trail are
coordinated by the Foothills Trail Conservancy. For
information about the trail, purchasing a guide book and
map or membership in the Conservancy, visit its website at
www.foothillstrail.org or visit the Foothills Trail Facebook
page.
The Palmetto Trail is the Mountains to the Sea Trail.
It now crosses from the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
in northern Greenville County over to Sassafras Mountain
in northern Pickens County, and then joins with the newer
5.1-mile Roundtop Passage, which offers a number of loop-
hike possibilities. It also connects with the Palmetto Trail’s
Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Passage, a 12.3-mile section with
access points at Table Rock State Park and US Highway 178
at Beasley Gap.
More information on the Roundtop Mountain Passage
is available at http://palmettoconservation.org/passage/
roundtop-mountain/. .More information on the Blue
Ridge Electric Co-op Passage may be viewed at http://
palmettoconservation.org/passage/blue-ridge-
electric-co-op-passage-jocassee-gorges/.
Hikers on the Foothills Trail
Both the Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail are foot-
traffic only in Jocassee Gorges.
The Twin Falls Trail is located just a half-mile off US
Highway 178 on Cleo Chapman Highway. The trail takes the
hiker to the top of Twin Falls, also known as Reedy Cove
Falls and Eastatoee Falls. The trail, moderate in difficulty, is
about 1 mile and requires about two hours for a leisurely
round-trip. The trail passes old logging railroad tracks from
days gone by. Remnants of the old tracks are buried in the
organic matter of the forest, and the occasional rail or spike
can be seen along the path. Just above Twin Falls, the old
narrow-gauge rail may be seen in a tangled mass, the result
of a flood that took place in the 1920s. A faint angler’s trail
may be followed upstream to some relaxing spots along
Reedy Cove Creek.
Fishing
Jocassee Gorges contains some of the highest quality
water in the state, and excellent trout fishing opportunities
exist. Since acquiring the property, SCDNR has worked
diligently to improve water quality, trout streams and the
species that depend on cold, clean waters. Backcountry
fishing opportunities are here for those who enjoy fishing
smaller streams or those who prefer reservoir fishing for
trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and sunfish, since
Lake Jocassee is centered within Jocassee Gorges.
Lake Jocassee is one of the most outstanding trophy
trout lakes in the nation. SCDNR biologists first began
managing Lake Jocassee as a trout fishery in 1972. Since that
time, a popular trout fishery has developed with quality size
rainbow and brown trout being routinely caught. The average
rainbow trout caught in Lake Jocassee weighs almost 3
pounds, with the average brown trout weighing 4-5 pounds.
State records for both species—17 pounds, 9.5 ounces for
brown trout, 11 pounds, 5 ounces for rainbow trout—were
caught from Jocassee. Lake Jocassee also provides good
fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and bream.
Popular trout streams include Eastatoee, Whitewater
and Thompson rivers and Side-of-Mountain, Reedy Cove,
Laurel Fork, Cane, Abner, Willis and Emory creeks. Native
“specks,” or brook trout, might be caught in the smaller
headwaters at higher elevations. The larger streams support
both stocked and wild rainbow and brow trout. In general,
the streams that can be easily accessed by vehicle support
stock trout during the spring and summer months. The
creeks that require long hikes and foot trail access typically
support wild, reproducing populations of trout.
The Eastatoee River can be easily accessed from
US Highway 178 near the state line, or from either Cleo
Chapman Road or Roy F. Jones Highway further down
in Eastatoee Valley. Hemlock Hollow Access Area on SC
Highway 11 offers a short hike to a beautiful section of
the lower Eastatoee. Other access areas on the Eastatoee
are Peach Orchard Branch and Dug Mountain on Roy F.
Jones Highway and Granny Gear on Granny Gear Road
across from the Vineyards Fire Department. For more
information on trout fishing in Jocassee Gorges, ask for a
copy of the free book “South Carolina Trout Fishing” at the
Clemson SCDNR office. The trout book is also available on
the SCDNR website at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/pdf/
TroutBook.pdf.
The rivers that feed Lake Jocassee are largely wild.
They originate in North Carolina and include the
Toxaway, Horsepasture, Thompson and Whitewater rivers.
Bearwallow Creek is also an important stream that provides
good fishing opportunities. The main rivers are most easily
accessed from Lake Jocassee, and anglers who fish in North
Carolina should secure the appropriate licenses.
Fly fishing along Little Eastatoee Creek
The Whitewater River may be best known as the
source of Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls, but this water
system’s energy causes many fast-flowing riffles, which
provide good habitat for wild rainbow and brown trout.
The segment of river above Lower Whitewater Falls offers
excellent wild trout fishing. The entire reach of Whitewater
River in South Carolina is protected within Jocassee Gorges
and is accessible to the public. Access is via SC Highway 130
to the Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station. The gate at Bad
Creek will open for entrance during daylight hours, and will
open for departure at any time. Once in the gate, follow
signs to the Whitewater River access parking area. There is
a 1/2-mile hike from the parking access to the stream. The
Foothills Trail parallels the entire length of the Whitewater
River on the east side and the Coon Branch Trail parallels
the river on the west side. Parking along the river on
Musterground Road is prohibited.
Management on Jocassee Gorges emphasizes
improvement of water quality. Old logging roads have been
re-graded, stabilized and repaired to reduce sedimentation,
erosion and stream impacts. Old roads have been opened
to allow fisheries biologists access to several streams to
conduct aquatic inventories and implement aggressive trout
management.
Hunting
Jocassee Gorges offers
one of South Carolina’s
best opportunities for
hunting game species
that inhabit mountainous
backcountry, especially
black bear. South
Carolina’s mountain
bear population has a
stronghold in this land of
vast forests and rugged
Bear Hunt
terrain. The carrying
capacity of the habitat for
white-tailed deer is relatively low; however, a number of
nice bucks have been harvested in the area. Other popular
game species include wild turkey, raccoon, squirrel and
woodcock. Successful hunts in Jocassee Gorges depend on
careful study of topographic maps, roads, trails and unique
landforms. Preparation for inclement weather is essential,
as rapid changes in weather are common in the mountains.
Heavy rains can be expected at most any time of the year.
Crisp, cold days are the norm at higher elevations during
winter.
Many adjacent lands that are owned by the S.C.
Forestry Commission, U.S. Forest Service or Duke
Energy are enrolled in the SCDNR Wildlife Management
Area (WMA) program are available for public hunting.
Traditionally, the area has been a favorite destination for
hunters who consider the rugged, picturesque terrain
an advantage rather than a hindrance. The actual taking
of game does not necessarily define success on Jocassee
Gorges. Hunters who venture off the beaten trails will find
hidden waterslides, trees marked and clawed by bears, quiet
coves and perhaps the remnants of logging railroads from
days gone by. Those things are the real treasures within
Jocassee Gorges.
Hunters should consult SCDNR’s “Rules & Regulations
publication for specific limits and seasons: http://www.dnr.
sc.gov/regs/pdf/hunting.pdf.
Bird-Watching
The Southern Appalachians provide unique
opportunities for bird watching. In 2006, Jocassee Gorges
received global recognition when it was designated as part
of an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society and
Bird Life International. Although South Carolina mountains
rarely exceed 3,000 feet, they harbor bird populations
unique to the state and add an important component to
regional biodiversity. This is especially true of the Blue
Ridge Escarpment, where the mountains abruptly greet the
foothills. Here, a
mixture of mountain
and lower-elevation
species can be found.
Hidden coves
and darkened stream
courses in the
area attract many
serious birders in
search of species
like the Louisiana
waterthrush or
Swainson’s warbler.
Horsepasture Road’s
large overlooks are
Bird watchers at Jocassee
perfect for birding,
and the old road transects a wide variety of habitats that
harbor different species.
Hiking along the Foothills Trail also provides easier
access to more remote coves and stream courses. Hikers
sometimes see great blue herons keeping solitary vigil over
clear, cool mountain streams, hunting for fish and frogs.
Higher, drier habitats and moister coves provide a
unique variety of habitats that harbor different species of
birds. During the breeding season, the persistent song of the
red-eyed vireo can be heard from ridgetop to deep cove.
As with most species in this forest, more will be heard than
seen. Species that may be seen or heard on the drier slopes
and ridges include ovenbird, summer tanagers, solitary
vireos, pine warblers, black and white warblers, worm-eating
warblers and Eastern towhees. In the numerous coves,
black-throated green warblers, scarlet tanagers, hooded
warblers, Northern parula warblers and American redstarts
are some of the more colorful members of the songbird
community that may be observed.
Clemson University has documented numerous
nests by Swainson’s warbler, especially in the Eastatoee
Creek Heritage Preserve and Side-of-Mountain Creek
areas. Ravens are one of the hallmark bird species of
the mountains. Although they are typically found more
frequently in the higher North Carolina mountains, it is not
unusual to see or hear them in the Jocassee Gorges. In
February 2008, the second known pair of nesting peregrine
falcons in the state was discovered in Jocassee Gorges near
the famed overlook, Jumping-Off Rock. Monitoring revealed
that the Jocassee Gorges peregrine falcons contributed
a pair of offspring to the Blue Ridge Escarpment. This
represented a landmark contribution to conservation in
South Carolina.
Common loons, large diving birds, overwinter on Lake
Jocassee and remain through April, when they have attained
their summer plumage. At this time they can be heard giving
their beautiful calls that are typically heard only in the lakes
and marshes of the northern United States and Canada.
Loon-watching has become a popular tourism activity
on Lake Jocassee during the winter, with boat excursions
specifically targeting these interesting birds.
Obviously, the bird-watching opportunities at Jocassee
Gorges are nearly endless. Who knows what remains to be
discovered in the coming years?
Wildlife
Jocassee Gorges is home to a number of wildlife species
that are not readily found in other parts of the state. Such
animals range from chipmunk and mink to black bear. Healthy
populations of more common animals such as raccoon and
white-tailed deer are also found here. Bobcats are one of
the largest predators in the area. They are seldom seen, but
their sign can be found scattered across the landscape, often
on old logging roads.
Bald eagles, both mature and immature, can be observed
over Lake Jocassee throughout the year, and a few years
ago a bald eagle nest was discovered up one of the river
arms of the lake. Peregrine falcons were identified for the
first time in decades and successfully nested starting in
2008. Ever since that discovery, peregrines have successfully
fledged young each year from a nest near Jumping-Off Rock.
Rugged grouse, another species unique to the mountains,
can be heard drumming on the hillsides in springtime. Wild
turkeys inhabit the forests of Jocassee Gorges, and the visitor
may chance to observe a group of these secretive birds
gliding overhead from one ridgetop to another—a unique and
thrilling sight. With dry ridges, wet hollows and a variety of
vegetative types, as well as elevations that range from about
1,000 feet to more than 3,500 feet above sea level, many
birds, mammals and reptiles find areas to live here.
The abundance and diversity of salamanders are unique
to the Jocassee Gorges and include numerous species of
“spring lizards” (the dusky salamanders) that live along stream
edges, to brightly colored species that inhabit the forest floor,
to uniquely adapted species, like the rare green salamander,
that live in the crevices of rock faces. The wood frog, more
commonly known in the Great North Woods, breeds in
Jocassee Gorges in winter during the first mild rain. Their
loud, nonmusical calls can be heard in
the winter woods.
Green salamander
Camping in and around
Jocassee Gorges
Camping opportunities on Jocassee Gorges are
numerous. They range from family-type destinations that
are accessible by vehicle to remote, leave-no-trace spots
that test the limits of physical exertion. Some campsites are
located on high mountain ridges, while others are situated
in valleys, closer to water.
Camping is permitted (first come, first served) at
designated campsites along the main roads in Jocassee
Gorges. Designated sites are noted on the Jocassee Gorges
map and on kiosks at each entrance. Many of these sites
are places that were traditionally used as hunt camps in
the past. When the main roads and gates are closed in
late winter and summer, primitive camping is permitted
anywhere on Jocassee; however, a written permit must
be obtained well in advance. Permits are not required for
primitive camping any time of year along the Foothills Trail
or Palmetto Trail or on limited areas of Eastatoee Creek
Heritage Preserve.
Camping is not permitted along the shore of Lake
Jocassee, except for the Double Springs Primitive
Campground operated by Devils Fork State Park. The
state parks surrounding Jocassee Gorges offer everything
from pull-in RV sites for the weekend camper to rugged
backcountry camping for the avid backpacker. Jones Gap,
Oconee, Table Rock, Keowee-Toxaway, Devils Fork and
Caesars Head state parks all offer camping at designated
sites. Some have attractive cabins for rent as well.
Many state park camping areas include individual water
and electrical hookups, picnic tables, comfort stations
with toilet facilities and hot showers (winterized comfort
stations are available in many parks) and dump stations
for RVs. For information about a specific park’s campsites
and reservations, call 1-866-345-7275 or visit the South
Carolina State Parks website at www.southcarolinaparks.
com.
Primitive camping opportunities are available all along
the 77-mile Foothills Trail, which intersects the interior
of the Jocassee Gorges. This trail and its spurs link
Oconee, Table Rock, Caesars Head and Jones Gap state
parks along with SCDNR-owned Laurel Fork Heritage
Preserve and Eastatoee Creek Heritage Preserve. Access
points are along SC 11, SC 107, US 178 and SC 130. For
more information about the Foothills Trail, contact the
Foothills Trail Conservancy by visiting its website at www.
foothillstrail.org.
Surrounding national forest lands also provide a
wide range of camping opportunities, from developed
campgrounds to primitive camping. To find out what’s
available, call the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the U.S.
Forest Service in Mountain Rest at (864) 638-9568.
Resource Management
Jocassee Gorges was protected because of its
incomparable size, position among other conservation
lands, its unique biology and because of the opportunities
it offered for recreation. SCDNR emphasizes the use
of techniques that result in minimal disturbances to the
soils, topography and building blocks of the landscape.
Basic access is provided through a diverse road network.
Management activities are designed to embrace the concept
of ecosystem restoration, where critical resources are
considered in all management decisions.
SCDNR keeps a detailed database on the distribution
of sensitive resources, especially rare flora and fauna, as well
as historical sites. A Geographical Information System (GIS)
is used to compile old and new records of special elements
as well as the soils and other resource variables on the
land. Managers consult this database during all land-planning
exercises and road-management activities.
Prescribed burning
Existing roads are maintained for different levels of
use. Main roads are used for season public access, while
secondary roads are stabilized and maintained to allow non-
motorized travel. Important ecotones, or the zone where
two habitats intersect, exist along the roadsides and provide
important habitat values for many species of wildlife. The
mountainous road system requires vigilant care, thus the
roads require significant dedication and management
attention.
Prescribed fire is one of the most useful tools to
promote ecosystem restoration. Managers carefully apply
fire on Jocassee Gorges to allow the woodlands to gradually
change and recover, in terms of plant species diversity,
distribution and composition. Most of the woodlands were
altered dramatically during the past century as the result
of unprofessional timber harvests. Fire was historically an
important factor in the natural landscape, and SCDNR uses
controlled fire to mimic the natural processes that once
occurred in order to help fire-dependent plant communities
exist once again. Fore has a very low adverse impact on
soils when used correctly.Vegetative changes will take place
slowly and gradually, and evidence of such management may
easily be seen along the central portions of Horsepasture
Road.
Management decisions favor resource conservation
over potential impacts from recreational activities. The
balance between recreation and conservation of sensitive
resources is a constant challenged on Jocassee Gorges,
and future generations will be grateful for the extra efforts
taken to maintain a fair equilibrium. Explore the area to
discover some of the changes that are taking place.
Botanical areas
Jocassee Gorges offers some of the best opportunities
to seek and discover interesting plants in the South
Carolina mountains. A number of hard-to-find floral species
are hidden within the Jocassee Gorges. Popular wildflower
excursions include trips into Peach Orchard Branch,
Wadakoe Mountain and Upper Cane Creek.
Peach Orchard Branch Angler Access Area is on Roy
F. Jones Highway, about 1 miles off SC Highway 11. Parking
is available here, but do not block the red gate. Hikes on
old logging roads follow interesting meanders along the
river bottoms as well as the high ridges. Showy orchis,
lady slippers and several species of trillium are common
in the area. Early hikes between February and April pay
special dividends to the natural seeking the ephemerals,
or flowering species that quickly appear and display their
showy flowers in the sunlight along the forest floor before
the hardwood trees don their leaves for the summer.
Wadakoe Mountain is one of the most botanically
diverse places in South Carolina. Wadakoe harbors a wide
variety of herbaceous and woody species that have been
documented by dedicated scientists only in recent decades.
The soils in the area lack the typical acidity associated with
much of the Southern Appalachians. Circumneutral soils
with pH in the 6.0 to 7.0 range allow the existence of plants
that are rarely found anywhere else in South Carolina.
Yellowwood trees are some of the treasures to be found
by those who travel the distance to access the area. Peach
Orchard Branch and the Howell Mountain Area off SC 11
both provide good access points for reaching the Wadakoe
Mountain area.
Another favorite place for wildflowers is upper Cane
Creek. The easiest way to reach upper Cane Creek is to
actually follow Mill Creek to its head in the mid-section
of the Eastatoee Valley. Take Mill Creek Road off Cleo
Jocassee
Chapman Road and park at the red gates at the end of the
road. Use the map to explore Cane Creek, where Oconee
bells are among the many unusual floral species that may be
found.
Access and Overlooks
Jocassee Gorges has about 35 miles of seasonally open
roads, along with three sections of road that are open
Gorges
year-round. Seasonally open roads are open from March
20 to May 10, and again from Sept. 15 through Jan. 15. The
10-mile section of Horsepasture Road from US Highway
178 to Jumping-Off Rock is open year-round, as is a 4.5-mile
section of Camp Adger Road from US Highway 178 to the
Franklin Gravely Monument and just beyond. The access to
Crossroads Mountain in South Carolina, which is through
Gorges State Park in North Carolina on Chestnut Mountain
Road, is open year-round. Horsepasture Road passes
through the heart of Jocassee Gorges in northern Pickens
County, and several overlooks were developed along the
New York ferns along Whitewater River
Driving the Jocassee Gorges
64 11
10
9
281
8 North Carolina
7 Jocassee Gorges
6
5
3 288
4 107
Lake Jocassee
130
2 11
1
1) Begin the driving tour at the Jocassee Gorges
Visitor Center at Keowee-Toxaway State Park,
at the intersection of SC 11 and SC 133.
2) From the Jocassee Gorges Visitor Center, turn
right on SC 11, and drive 3 miles to a sign for
Devils Fork State Park on the banks of Lake
Jocassee. Turn right here, and follow the signs
about 4 miles to the park.
3, 4) Back out on SC 11, at 6 miles from the Visitor
Center, turn right (north) on SC 130 toward
Whitewater Falls. After traveling 9 miles of SC
130, turn left on the Southern Highroads Trail,
a road that cuts across to SC 107.You’ll go
about 2 miles up this road to find on the left
an outstanding overlook of Lake Jocassee. To
reach the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery from
here, continue west a short distance to SC 107,
where you turn left and in 2.4 miles reach the
hatchery entrance.
Jocassee
5) Continue on SC 130 from the intersection
with Southern Highroads Trail for about a
mile until reaching Duke Energy’s Bad Creek
Hydroelectric Station on the right. Pull through
the gate, and after 2.5 miles on this road, turn
left into the Whitewater River/Foothills Trail
parking lot. Leave your car here and take a .5-
mile hike to the Whitewater River to join the
Foothills Trail or one of two spur trails: Coon
Branch Natural Area or Lower Whitewater Falls.
Drive down the Bad Creek Road for another
mile and a half to the Bad Creek Overlook, a
scenic vista of Lake Jocassee and surrounding
Gorges
mountains.
6) Travel back up Bad Creek Road to SC 130
through the gated entrance and turn right.Very
quickly you will cross into North Carolina,
where the road changes to NC 281, and soon
after that, look for the entrance to Whitewater
Falls on the right. With a drop of 411 feet,
Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of
the Rockies.
7) Back on NC 281, head north and in about a
mile cross the Whitewater River, the first of the
four major rivers that empty into Lake Jocassee
(the others being the Thompson, Horsepasture
and Toxaway rivers).
8, 9) In another 4 miles on NC 281, cross over the
Thompson River, the only major tributary of
the Jocassee Gorges without a bridge. The river
goes under the road through a culvert. About
1 mile beyond the Thompson River, cross the
Horsepasture River. In 1986, 4.2 miles of this
stunningly beautiful river, from NC 281 to Lake
Jocassee, were named a National Wild and
Scenic River.
route that runs the prominent ridges within the landscape.
Many of the views are breathtaking and worth the trip.
The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. is a
private, non-profit corporation which partners with the
Main roads are delineated on the map and code as South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for the
to use. They are maintained to permit basic access to most promotion of education,
parts of the vast property. Most of the roads are closed research, management and the
administration of game and
for public use in late winter to avoid detrimental impacts
fish laws, which will benefit
associated with winter weather, and they are also closed in
conservation of wildlife,
the summer to allow for wildlife use of the unique habitats
marine and other natural
along the roadsides.
resources in South Carolina.
Jumping-Off Rock, to which the Horsepasture Road
is now open year-round, is one of the most well-known
overlooks in the Upstate. Perhaps the most photographed
site on Jocassee Gorges, it provides the visitor with a
panoramic view of Lake Jocassee and surrounding wild lands
all the way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Peregrine falcons set
up housekeeping in the vicinity in 2008, which necessitated
some minor changes and the development of a new
overlook site. Nonetheless, it remains as the most striking
overlook on Jocassee Gorges.
While the fall season remains the most popular
time to appreciate the scenery in Jocassee Gorges, better
long-range views may be had in the late fall or winter, after
the leaves have fallen.
Peregrine falcon
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources prohibits
discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, national origin,
religion, disability or age. Direct inquiries to the Office of Human
Resources, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, S.C. 29202.
Total cost $4,774.00
Total copies 20,000
Cost per copy $0.23
Printed on recycled paper. 17-11458 8/17
Brook trout
Jocassee
esw
12
14
Jim Timmerman
13
Natural Resources
Area at
15
Jocassee
16
Gorges
178
17
18
0 0.5 1 2 3 4
Miles
10) Back on NC 281, in about 2 miles you will
reach the entrance to Gorges State Park on
the right. Be sure and visit the park’s unique
Visitor Center and gift shop. Gorges provides
access to waterfalls on the Horsepasture River,
including 125-foot Rainbow Falls. This is also
the access point for Crossroads Mountain, the
northernmost portion of Jocassee Gorges lands
in South Carolina.
11) From Gorges State Park entrance on NC 281,
Map and Driving Tour
www.dnr.sc.gov
it’s about another mile to the intersection
with US 64. Turn right (east) on US 64, toward
Brevard and Lake Toxaway. Cross a bridge
spanning the Toxaway River in about 3 miles.
12) Travel another 6 miles to the Eastern
Continental Divide at 2,964 feet in altitude, an
extensive stretch of high ground from where 15) Return to your car and head down the
the river systems of the continent flow in mountain, going back the same way you came,
opposite directions. A short ways down the and turn left on US 178. In about 2 miles, go
road, turn right onto Frozen Creek Road. through an area known as Beasley Gap, which is
Follow Frozen Creek Road for about 3 miles where the Palmetto Trail (the Mountains to the
to the Gorges State Park Frozen Creek Access Sea Trail) comes in on the left from Table Rock
Area on the right, a good access point for State Park.
numerous trails, including the Foothills Trail.
16) Back on US 178, go about another mile south to
From the Frozen Creek Access Area, continue Cleo Chapman Road, and turn right. Less than
south on Frozen Creek Road for about 2 miles a mile down Cleo Chapman Road, look for a
until reaching Old Toxaway Road (SR 1139). small gravel parking area and a red gate on the
Turn left and continue for another 4 miles until right side of the road. This is the trailhead for
this road intersects with US 178. Turn right here the Twin Falls Trail, a 1.1-mile trail along Reedy
(right goes to Pickens, left goes to Rosman, NC). Cove Creek that follows portions of the old
Appalachian Lumber Company railroad and
Follow US 178 for 3 miles and again cross the
Eastern Continental Divide. finishes at the top of Twin Falls.
13) Three miles after crossing into South Carolina 17) Back on US 178, it’s about 3 miles to the
on US 178, turn right onto a gravel road just intersection with SC 11. Turn right on SC 11,
before the narrow bridge that crosses Eastatoee go about 3 miles, and turn right on Roy F. Jones
Creek. Look for a brown sign with binoculars, Highway. In about a mile, Dug Mountain Angler
which marks the location of a Watchable Access Area, a great place to catch a trout, is on
Wildlife site. Bear right on the upper gravel the right.
road, Horsepasture Road, not the lower paved
18) Back on SC 11, travel about another mile
road. Drive about a quarter-mile to the Foothills
Trail parking area on the left. To reach Eastatoee
and turn left into Long Shoals Wayside Park,
a day-use area along Little Eastatoee Creek
Creek Heritage Preserve, walk past the steps established by the S.C. Forestry Commission.
ascending to the Foothills Trail and go a couple
From Long Shoals Wayside, it’s another 2.4
of hundred yards farther down the road to the
miles back along SC 11 to our starting point at
trailhead on the left, at a red gate.
the Jocassee Gorges Visitor Center at Keowee-
14) Back out on US 178, continue south for 1 mile
Toxaway Park.
into the small community of Rocky Bottom.
Turn left onto F.Van Clayton Highway, at the
sign for Sassafras Mountain, and follow this road
4.7 miles toward a parking lot at the base of
Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South
Carolina at 3,553 feet. A platform near the
parking lot offers views to the west and south,
and it’s a short walk to the top, where there
are panoramic views. This will be the site of an
observation tower that is to be constructed by
SCDNR.
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