Shooting Tree Ridge: Jocassee Gorges Backroads & History

Beyond Lake Jocassee’s familiar shoreline, gravel roads crisscross the forested ridges of northern Pickens County. Shooting Tree Ridge is one of the quieter gateways into this landscape—and its name, conservation history, and carefully managed public access reveal much about the Jocassee Gorges.

At a glance: Shooting Tree Ridge is a 571-acre protected tract within the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges. The entrance is off Cleo Chapman Highway in the Eastatoee Valley. Roads may close seasonally or without advance notice; confirm access with SCDNR before traveling.

A gravel-road entrance to a much larger wilderness

The Shooting Tree Ridge entrance lies on the Eastatoee Valley side of Jocassee Gorges. In a 2022 road-closure announcement, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources specifically identified the site entrance on Cleo Chapman Highway. From there, forest roads lead into an extensive system built and maintained for recreation, land management, and emergency access. SCDNR’s announcement helps establish the location, but it should not be read as a current road-status notice.

The road in the accompanying photograph is broad and graveled, curving through hardwoods and pines. That appearance does not promise the condition of the entire route. The broader Jocassee system includes steep, rough roads, seasonal gates, and sections where an ordinary passenger car may not be practical.

How 571 acres were protected

Shooting Tree Ridge was acquired in 2001 from Crescent Resources, then associated with Duke Energy, as an addition to the Jocassee Gorges conservation landscape. SCDNR’s contemporary newsletters identify the federal Forest Legacy Program and the National Wild Turkey Federation as financial supporters of the acquisition. The tract occupies the south-central portion of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area and contains 571 acres.

In August 2002, the South Carolina Natural Resources Board approved a forest management plan for the tract. Much of the property was then covered by relatively young loblolly and white pine plantations. The plan proposed thinning some stands to reduce risks from pine beetles and fire and encourage more varied habitat, while limiting disturbance in hardwood stands and streamside areas. These were documented management objectives, not a promise that every planned treatment would occur exactly as described.

A later Jocassee Journal report described thinning across roughly 175 acres of planted loblolly pine. SCDNR explained that the work was intended to improve habitat and forest health, and that the revenue would be reinvested in access and conservation. The story reminds us that protected forest does not always mean forest left entirely unmanaged.

Where did the name Shooting Tree Ridge come from?

The name carries an especially memorable piece of Eastatoee Valley oral history. In a March 2025 Greenville Journal column, Pickens County naturalist and writer Dennis Chastain recounted a story the late Buck Hinkle, a longtime valley resident, told him. According to Hinkle’s family account, nineteenth-century bootleggers captured a federal revenue officer, tied him to a tree, and drew straws to decide who would shoot him. The man selected reportedly could not go through with it, and the group ultimately released the officer after drinking together.

This striking explanation for the place name is best understood as a recorded local tradition—not an independently verified nineteenth-century incident. The account does not by itself establish the identities involved, a precise date, or a contemporary newspaper record. Even with those limits, it preserves a valuable example of how mountain place names can carry stories across generations.

Why the gates and road rules matter

The original Jocassee Gorges resource management plan documented approximately 138 miles of dirt roads: about 70 miles of seasonally gated roads and 68 miles of permanently gated forest access roads. This is a historical planning inventory, not a newly measured current mileage. Seasonal access reflects a compromise between recreation and protecting steep slopes, waterways, wildlife habitat, and road surfaces.

SCDNR’s public-lands regulations restrict motorized travel to authorized roads and parking areas. Gates and posted notices take precedence over an old map or a previous visitor’s report. A road that was open on an earlier trip may be closed for maintenance, weather, or resource protection. The posted speed limit at the photographed information kiosk is 15 mph, but drivers must follow the limits and restrictions that apply on their actual route.

Before you drive: Check SCDNR public-lands regulations and current SCDNR road notices. Never pass a locked gate or drive off a designated road. Download a map for offline use, carry water and emergency supplies, and do not count on reliable cell service.

ATVs, motorcycles, and seasonal access

A photographed sign at Shooting Tree Ridge lists ATV windows of March 20–May 10 and September 15–January 15, with additional weekday and Saturday restrictions and no Sunday use. That sign is a useful record of what was posted when the photograph was taken, but rules and road schedules can change. SCDNR’s published regulations distinguish permitted ATV travel from prohibited off-road riding, and certain types of vehicles, including three-wheel ATVs and off-road dirt bikes, are prohibited. Check the current regulations and the specific entrance signs before bringing any ATV or motorcycle.

Do not assume that permission for licensed highway vehicles on one road extends to all forest roads. Similarly, a public road opening does not automatically authorize every recreational vehicle. If the regulations or posted instructions are unclear, ask SCDNR rather than relying on an older photograph.

Wildlife, forests, and responsible exploring

Jocassee Gorges supports black bears, wild turkeys, deer, songbirds, and a remarkable variety of plant communities. Shooting Tree Ridge’s management documents specifically connect forest thinning and habitat diversity with long-term wildlife conservation. Wildlife viewing is possible, but encounters are unpredictable, and hunting is also an established activity in parts of the area.

Visitors should stay on authorized routes, leave plants and wildlife undisturbed, and carry out everything they bring in. During hunting seasons, brightly colored clothing is a sensible precaution for anyone walking or biking on forest roads. Readers planning a longer outing can explore our guide to 25 Pickens County hikes for other destinations in the region.

Camping and fire restrictions

The photographed kiosk says camping is allowed only in designated campsites, while a separate notice warns of high fire danger and prohibits fires until conditions improve. Such temporary notices should never be treated as a statement of today’s fire status. SCDNR has specific rules for backcountry camping permits, trail camping, campsite locations, and fires. Check the current requirements before an overnight visit; a campsite or old fire ring does not mean a fire is allowed.

Planning a visit from the Pumpkintown area

Shooting Tree Ridge is a worthwhile addition to a day exploring the less-traveled side of Pickens County. Rather than promising a particular overlook or waterfall, plan the trip around the forest setting itself: the winding roads, ridge country, and conservation history that connects the Eastatoee Valley to the larger Jocassee landscape.

For a broader trip, see our Pumpkintown and Table Rock trip planner. Before you leave, confirm your chosen entrance, road status, and vehicle suitability with SCDNR. The best visit leaves both the road and the forest in good shape for the next traveler.