Issaqueena Trail System

Clemson University Experimental Forest

OVERVIEW
Issaqueena is part of the Clemson University Experimental Forest (CUEF). This beautiful 17,640 acre forest offers numerous hiking, biking horse trails plus features picnic areas, there is no camping in the forest. This area is extremely popular with hikers, runners, bikers and horseback riders with 50+ miles of Multi-Use Trails of interconnecting loops of singletrack, doubletrack and gravel roads.

Multi-Use trails: ALL Riders Yield to Hikers, Trail Runners & Horse Riders - Downhill traffic Yields to Uphill traffic at ALL TIMES! Share the Trail! There are many trails here that can make up either shorter or longer rides. It really is hard to get too lost here, so don't be afraid to take a new trail. But best if you print a copy of our map.

• SC Trails Website

Open to Bikes: every day of the week

Downhill / Dual Slalom / Freeride Area(s) contain Advanced and/or Potentially Dangerous Trails - Ride at Your Own Risk. (Off-Limits for Horses) Tons of jumps, tons of berms, and a wall ride. If you are unsure of your riding skills, please stay out. These trails are built and maintained by Clemson Freeride with permission of the Forest Director.

Prior to riding here know the following:

• Terrain may contain man-made and natural features
• Terrain changes constantly due to weather and usage
• Inspect terrain/structures before using
• Always ride in control & within your abilities

CONTACT INFORMATION

Department of Forestry and Natural Resources
261 Lehotsky Hall Clemson, SC 29634-0317
(864) 656-3302

CAMPING

Camping is prohibited in the Clemson Experimental Forest. Click here to find convenient camp sites along Lake Hartwell.

HUNTING SEASON - More Information HERE

• Clemson University Properties Hunting Area Map - PDF
• SC Rules & Regulations for Hunting - PDF
• Hunting areas are not off-limits to bikers, but if you ride please be respectful of hunters. Note: you are taking a risk.
  • Note that everything south of the Dam Rd. (Anthill, Waterfall,Doyle Bottom Areas) is archery only. If you do choose to ride we suggest midday, say 10AM to 4PM, and wear blaze orange vest. Most hunters don't mind bikes because they keep the deer moving instead of bedded down.
• Hunting Season for Issaqueena is Oct 1 to Jan 1.
• Hunting Season for Fants Grove is Sept 15 to Jan 1
  
  • Fants is gun hunting, but to a limited number of hunters by draw. As I recall in some past years it has been limited to a few dates (usually Fri-Sat) within the season. These are usually posted at Seed Orchard Parking and Garrison Arena. Don't know if that is the case this year
• Hunting is prohibited on Sundays so it is safe to Ride

LOCATION

Driving Directions: MAP & DIRECTIONS

• Issaqueena Lake - Main Parking Lot (Dam Road) From the junction of US 123 and SC 133 in Clemson, drive north on SC 133 for 3.4 miles and turn Left at the traffic light. Pass Maw's Grocery on left, turn Left onto Old Six Mile Highway. Pass Issaqueena Lake Road (Forest entrance) on right, and continue about a quarter mile to parking area on Right, at junction with Issaqueena Dam Road.The parking area has a small lot for cars and a larger semi-circular area for horse trailers. you may need to park off the road.
• Doyle Bottom / Waterfall Area From the junction of US 123 and SC 133 in Clemson, drive north on SC 133 for 2+ miles and turn Pass Bridge and turn Left onto Old Six Mile Highway, second Left is the gate for Doyle Bottom Rd. Do Not Block the gate - you may need to park off the road.
• Downhill Area ::Directions from I-85::: Clemson Freeride website Directions
  1. Take exit 19B off of I-85 and head towards Clemson. (RIGHT from Greenville or LEFT from Georgia)
  2. Follow this road until its end at a red light and take a LEFT Hwy 123(there will be an Ace Hardware across the road)
  3. After crossing over the lake you take a RIGHT at the second red light on Old Seneca/Clemson Hwy.
  4. Take a RIGHT onto Lawrence Bridge Road. (it will be across from a concrete company)
  5. After you cross over the lake again the main gate to the forest will be about 1/4 mile on the right. (Gate Closed during Winter Months)

MILES FROM:

• Charleston, SC: 245
• Columbia, SC: 136
• Florence, SC: 212
• Greenville , SC: 34
• Spartanburg, SC: 73.4
• Charlotte, NC: 139
• Raleigh, NC: 300
• Atlanta, GA: 129
• Augusta, GA: 115
• Asheville, NC: 91

Lake Location: Yes

Miles to Nearest Hospital: 14.2
Miles to Nearest Town: 4.5
Miles to Nearest Bike Shop: 5.8

PARK PARTNERS

• Friends of the Clemson Experimental Forest (CEF)
• Greater Clemson Mt. Bike Club (GCMBC)
• Cyberspinners
• Clemson Freeride
• The Clemson Cycling Club
• Upstate Sorba Trail work
  • (coming soon)

LOCAL BIKE SHOPS

• Clemson Cyclery - 906 Tiger Blvd., #6 Clemson, SC 29631
  Phone: (864) 654-2429
• The Great Escape - Anderson Shop
  2714 North Main Street - Anderson, SC 29621
• Ellis Bicycle Shop Inc Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
  615 East River Street, Anderson,SC 29624

EVENTS (coming soon)

• Fall/Winter Months Night Rides (6:oo PM)
• Tiger Rag 2008, April 20th
• SERC Series 2008 Race #6:
• Clemson Freeride DH Race: - March 8th 2008
• Clemson Triathlon 2008
  Event #4 of the South Carolina Triathlon Series

TRAILS

• additional Issaqueena Area maps on the GCMB.com website

GPS INFORMATION

SUGGESTED ROUTES

• EASY/MODERATE
  • (Coming soon)
• INTERMEDIATE
  • (Coming soon)
• ADVANCED/DIFFICULT
  • (Coming soon)
• EPIC RIDES
  
  • (Coming soon)
• DOWNHILL/DUAL SLALOM/FREERIDE "Ride at Your Own Risk"
  
  • (Coming soon)
• 2007 Tiger Rag Course Map

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

One very Important thing to remember about Issaqueena there very few trail signs, and is very easy to get turned around. Be mindful of Hunting locations & schedule.

Very few trails are marked in any way, a map is almost essential.

Share the Trail, Be safe, always wear a helmet!
Have a good ride!


PHOTOS

(Coming Soon)