Jim Timmerman Natural
Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges
Contact Information
Mark W. Hall, Wildlife Biologist206 Laurel Valley Road
Sunset, SC 29685
864-878-9071
email:markhall@inova.net
Hours of Operation
The Oconee County portion is open:
October 1 - January 1
April 1 - April 30
The Pickens County portion is open:
September 15 - January 1
March 20 - May 10
The old Horsepasture Road is open about 4 miles into the property year-round if entered from Highway 178.
Important Information for Visitors
Description
The Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges (Jocassee) is South Carolina’s premier mountain property. It is located in northern Pickens County and eastern Oconee County and surrounds Lake Jocassee. The property is heavily wooded with hardwood forests and white pine woodlands, and contains many streams bordered by large yellow poplar and eastern hemlock. Jocassee is home to many rare and unusual plants and animals. It was purchased by the SCDNR in 1998 because of the unique biology present, the special recreational opportunities it provides, and the simple fact that it is a large, rugged and remote property.
Bird watching, hiking, fishing and hunting are traditional uses on Jocassee. Birds range from uncommon Swainson’s warblers in the dense hemlock/rhododendron thickets to the broad-winged hawks that patrol the open woodlands.
Hikers enjoy the wildflower displays that can be seen along the Foothills and Palmetto Trails. Cold, free-flowing headwater streams support wild trout populations. Hunting for black bear, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, squirrel and raccoon has been popular in Jocassee for many decades. Jocassee is especially popular in the spring when wildflowers are blooming and again in the fall when colors are often spectacular. The area has over 200 miles of old logging roads for wandering and exploring.
See the DNR Jocassee Gorges web site for more information.