Hiking Trail

East Fork
(Oconee County)

Description: Starting at the Walhalla Fish Hatchery, the lightly traveled, East Fork Trail is an easy 2.5-mile hike along the north bank of the scenic, fast moving, East Fork of the Chattooga River. You will pass through the lush, East Fork Gorge into the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area that provides a backdrop for all but the start and finish of this trail. At a junction with the Chattooga Trail you can backtrack or hike to Ellicott Rock, which is 1.9 miles north on the Chattooga Trail. You can access the East Fork from the Chattooga Trail, or start from the east trailhead at the Walhalla Fish Hatchery, where restrooms and drinking water are available. If you choose to start from the west trailhead, you will need to hike 2.1 miles on the Chattooga Trail from Burrells Ford. No facilities are available at Burrells Ford.

Length: 2.5 miles one-way.

Fees: None.

Directions: Walhalla Fish Hatchery: From Walhalla, drive nortwest on SC 28 for 7.5 miles and bear right onto SC 107. Drive 12 miles and turn left onto Fish Hatchery Road (Oconee County S-37-325). The east trailhead is at a bridge just past the Fish Hatchery and picnic area.

Burrells Ford: From Walhalla, drive west on SC 28 for 7.5 miles and bear right onto SC 107. Drive approximately 10 miles and turn left onto Burrells Ford Road (Forest Service Road 708). Continue on Burrells Ford Road to a sign that indicates the way to Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area on the Chattooga Trail. Hike 2.1 miles on the Chattooga Trail to the west trailhead of the East Fork Trail.

Hours: Dawn to dusk.

Camping: Campsites with facilities are available at Cherry Hill Recreation Area and Oconee State Park. Oconee State Park includes 19 cabins (sleep four to eight, $55-$70 per cabin, per night), 140 campsites ($15.40 per site, per night) and 10 tent sites ($7.70 per site per night). Call 864-638-5353. Primitive campsites are available at Burrells Ford Campground and camping is allowed along the trail.

Information: Sumter National Forest, Andrew Pickens Ranger District, 112 Andrew Pickens Circle, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, Telephone: 864-638-9568.