Recreation Management Plan

Approved by Interim President Robert H. Jones, March 2026

The Clemson University Forest Land Ethic is rooted first in the safety and integrity of the biotic and abiotic system of the Forest itself.

We recognize the Forest for its intrinsic value, incorporating that which we cannot see and understand, including values that may only be discoverable in the future.

From this core our ethic extends to the purpose of the restorative ethic in the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act and as an educational and research resource of the University.

We value the Forest as a source of aspiration; discovery through research, instruction and enterprise as well as a source of recreation and rejuvenation.

We recognize the importance of the Forest as an interface between the University with citizens, and as such our values of stewardship extend to the communities, watersheds, and landscapes in which the Forest is embedded.

The Forest is also a collection of stories, including but not limited to forest renewal and succession, the many human cultures that have inhabited and used these lands, and the ongoing story of a university dedicated to service.

We understand the Forest as a nexus of the community and region, and a catalyst for connectivity with many values of place in line with the Land Ethic of the Forest.

We support aspirational actions that enhance and amplify the values of place in line with the Land Ethic of the Forest.

Author: Dr. Elizabeth Baldwin, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management

Recreation has forever been part of the Clemson University Forest (CUF) story. While the Forest was established primarily for soil and water conservation, New Deal programs funded and built Lake Issaqueena, picnic shelters, roads, and bridges to help people enjoy the outdoors — a response to a national shift from rural, agricultural life toward industrial and urban lifestyles, and recognition that the Upstate lacked well-managed spaces for public access and enjoyment. Generations of students, faculty, and community members have since relied on the Forest for outdoor recreation, forging deep attachments and lasting memories. The goal of this Recreation Management Plan is to honor that century of experience, protect what makes the Forest special, and chart a path forward grounded in education, research, and responsible stewardship.

The CUF contains approximately 150 miles of trails and forest roads, 101 unique trails and segments, and 40 trailheads and parking areas. Visitors interact with water attractions including Lake Hartwell, Lake Issaqueena, Wildcat Falls, Six Mile Creek, Waldrop Stone Falls, and Todd's Creek Falls. A seasonally open road allows forest driving, and a primitive boat launch serves kayaks, canoes, and small craft. Significant historical and cultural features draw visitors throughout the year. Cell phone data suggests tens of thousands of visitors annually at trailheads and shorelines alone.
The Forest serves six primary recreation user organizations with whom staff regularly interact: the Greater Clemson Mountain Bikers Club, Greater Clemson Trail Users Coalition, SC Upstate Equine Council, Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Clemson University Extension, and SC Department of Natural Resources. In addition there are a number of student clubs with specific interests. These relationships are maintained through planned meetings, social media, and direct communication.

Recreation management at the CUF is guided by Clemson University's 2025 Strategic Plan for the Forest, which establishes the following mission and vision:

Mission: Clemson University Forest is irreplaceable, and its mission is to serve as an educational, environmental, and social asset in perpetuity.

Vision: The Forest will exemplify sustainable resource management, education, and innovation embodying the University's commitment to ecological stewardship and serving the public good through scientific land management.

Consistent with this mission, the CUF uses a zonal classification system — reflected in the Forest Management Plan — to minimize conflicts and maximize the productivity of recreational, educational, and forest management activities across the landscape. The Recreation Management Plan operates within and in support of that broader framework.

2.1 Rules of Use

Recreational use of the Clemson University Forest is a valued public benefit, offered in keeping with the Forest's primary mission of teaching, research, and public education. All visitors are expected to observe the following conditions of use:

• All activities shall be conducted in a manner that retains the quality of the natural resource.
• No fires, except in designated structures and as permitted by law. Extinguish all fires before leaving.
• Hiking, horseback riding, and biking on designated roads and trails only.
• No motorized vehicles except where designated. Speed limit for motorized vehicles is 15 mph. Only Class 1 e-bikes are permitted on trails.
• Watercraft on Lake Issaqueena shall not exceed 5 mph.
• No diving, swimming, or sliding from, on, or around Issaqueena Dam or other hazards.
• No camping unless under an authorized University program.
• Dogs must be under the demonstrable control of their owner at all times.
• No littering, dumping, or defacing of property.
• No destruction or removal of natural, cultural, or historical materials.
• No possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages.
• No power tools unless authorized for approved volunteer activities.
• Do not approach forestry or other operational equipment.
• Respect ongoing research, teaching, and educational activities.
• No trespassing in areas designated closed by signs, barricades, or posted notice.
• No trespassing at barns, feedlots, pastures, or cultivated fields.
• Hunting and fishing occur only within Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) as regulated by SC DNR.
• The Issaqueena Lake Road is closed between November 1 and March 15, or as otherwise posted.
• Users are responsible for the safety of their person and property.

2.2 Individual Safety and Law Enforcement

Individual Responsibilities

Visitors to the CUF are responsible for their own personal safety and the protection of personal property. Recreating in a forested environment is inherently risky. Visitors should ensure they have personally provided for their medical, dietary, wayfinding, and protective needs. Emergency services are not immediately accessible in all areas of the Forest. Cell service is limited in portions of the CUF and response times may be delayed. Visitors are strongly encouraged to inform others of their planned routes and timelines and to establish contingency plans before entering the Forest.

Law Enforcement and First Responder Jurisdictions

The CUF is under the jurisdiction of State, County, Municipal, and University law enforcement and emergency first responders. In an emergency, dial 911.

Evolving Policies

During this planning period, CU Forest staff and administrators will review current laws and policies regarding e-bikes, semi-motorized vehicles, and other emerging recreation technologies, and will revise Forest rules as needed. All safety-related policies will be reviewed on a regular basis and updated to reflect changes in use patterns, technology, and applicable laws.

The CUF attracts a diverse range of visitors, from local residents to out-of-town tourists. User groups include students and faculty from Clemson University, Southern Wesleyan University, Tri-County Technical College, Anderson University, and surrounding K-12 schools, as well as the broader public from the Upstate region, with visitors documented as far as Atlanta and western North Carolina. Activities span a wide range, including mountain biking, hiking, family outings, birdwatching, hunting, fishing, and boating.

The two most heavily used areas are the Issaqueena Lake area — particularly the trail network originating at the "U" parking area — and the Fants Grove area, especially the Seed Orchard and Butch Kennedy trailheads. Use is nonetheless widely distributed across the Forest, with vehicles regularly observed at remote trailheads throughout the property.

Understanding visitor diversity, use patterns, and spatial distribution is essential to effective recreation management — informing decisions about trail maintenance, signage, safety protocols, and amenity development, and enabling the Forest to accommodate both high- and low-impact activities while minimizing user conflicts and protecting sensitive ecological areas. The CU Forest is committed to developing more systematic visitor use data over the course of this planning period, including through cell phone mobility analysis, trail counters, and periodic user surveys conducted in partnership with the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management.

4.1 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Areas

Under annual agreement with SC DNR, approximately 70% (13,300 acres) of the CU Forest is leased to support public hunting. Hunting license fees fund the lease. Three WMAs intersect with the Forest: Fants Grove, Keowee, and Gravely. These areas are marked by yellow triangular SC DNR boundary signs.

The primary uses of the Forest — research, teaching, and education — take precedence at all times within WMA lands. All other recreational uses may continue within WMAs. Users are encouraged to educate themselves via the SC DNR WMA website on WMA areas, hunting seasons, and safety precautions. SC DNR regulations are subject to change annually; users and Forest staff should consult SC DNR websites directly for current maps, rules, and seasonal information for each Clemson WMA.

Permitted hunting activities on the CUF include archery and shotgun hunting, waterfowl impoundment, and managed dove and youth hunts, each within designated areas. SC DNR provides law enforcement presence during active seasons and collaborates with CU Forest staff on wildlife management.

It is important to note that while the WMA lease allows carry and use of firearms by licensed hunters on those leased areas, University Concealed Weapons policy covers firearms, open or concealed on all CU Forest areas outside of the WMAs.

https://clemsonpub.cfmnetwork.com/B.aspx?BookId=13003&PageId=465374 

The CU Forest is not responsible for providing WMA information to hunters, who should familiarize themselves with applicable WMA regulations directly through SC DNR. The CU Forest will provide general users with advance notice of upcoming seasons and hunting activities through social media, website postings, and links to SC DNR publications.

The CU Forest occupies an important intermediary role between hunting and non-hunting recreational user communities. Misconceptions among user groups are common and have been amplified by social media. Staff should make every effort to communicate accurately, and proactively across these groups to ensure safety and the long-term compatibility of uses.

4.2 Issaqueena Lake Road Vehicular Access

The Issaqueena Lake area and its associated historical structures, trails, and waterways comprise the most heavily visited portion of the Forest. The primary trailhead at the "U" parking area off Old Six Mile Road frequently reaches capacity, with overflow parking along the adjacent road.

Seasonal driving of the Issaqueena Lake Road is a popular activity providing vehicle access to destinations including the Wildcat Creek area. The majority of road users are respectful and cautious. However, a minority engage in off-road driving and "mudding" on road margins, causing erosion damage to adjacent ecosystems that is both ecologically harmful and costly to repair. Road management must account for the annual cycle of maintenance, particularly as it relates to protecting wetlands, streams, and bridges along the corridor.

The road is traditionally open from late March through early November and may be closed at any time for maintenance, resource protection, or safety at the discretion of the Executive Director. Of particular near-term concern is the condition of the historic Six Mile Bridge, which has sustained long-term structural damage requiring repair in the coming planning period.

Additional management concerns include misuse of the CCC shelters along the road corridor and nighttime access, which has been associated with criminal activity. Future policy will be informed by ongoing assessment of use levels, road and bridge conditions, and impacts to adjacent wetland and stream resources. Management options under consideration include periodic rather than continuous seasonal access, nighttime gate closure during an extended open season, camera monitoring, and increased recreation staff and law enforcement presence. Opening the East Dam Road for limited specified periods to improve access to that portion of the landscape is under consideration.

4.3 Special Use Permits

Special use permits are required for organized events, commercial activities, and other non-standard uses of the Forest. This process is described in detail in Section 7. Clemson University faculty do not require special use permits for classes or labs meeting in the Forest. SC DNR, SC Forestry Commission, and other agency personnel operating within their jurisdictional responsibilities are similarly exempt.

4.4 Cultural and Historic Areas

The Clemson University Forest represents layers of cultural and historical significance extending back thousands of years. The landscape encompasses Native American — primarily Cherokee — history, early European settlement, African American history, industrial and post-industrial land use, and the living memory of local farm families whose land was acquired under the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act in the mid-20th century.

The Forest was once at the heart of the Cherokee Nation. Documented knowledge of Cherokee history, sites, and place names within the Forest remains incomplete. A concerted effort to engage with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and to work with Clemson and State archaeologists to document and interpret this history accurately, is a priority of this planning period.

The Works Projects Administration era left a significant physical legacy in the Forest, including structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps that remain in active use today. Many local families farmed and lived on what is now Forest land before its acquisition by the Federal Government. The homesites, cemeteries, and community history embedded in the landscape deserve active protection and respectful interpretation — not merely as historical curiosities, but as evidence of lives genuinely lived here.

Current knowledge of cultural and historic site distribution is maintained on the CU Forest Data Hub. This record is acknowledged as incomplete. Before any management decisions affecting cultural or historic resources are made, the available record should be supplemented through consultation with the Clemson Office of Historic Properties and other campus and off-campus expertise.

Goals for this planning period are to: develop a robust interpretation plan in partnership with relevant campus expertise; maintain historic sites and structures in a manner appropriate to their significance; and expand the cultural and historic data record available on the Data Hub.

4.5 Piedmont Research and Education Center and College of Veterinary Medicine

The Reverter Clause lands of the CU Forest underlie most of the Piedmont Research and Education Center (REC) and the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). The Piedmont REC is a unit under the Experiment Station and encompasses the Garrison Arena, Musser Fruit Research Center, LaMaster Dairy, Organic Research Center, and associated facilities. The CU Forest does not underlie the Simpson Farm. While the REC offers public-facing programs and events, these fall outside the scope of CU Forest recreation management.

Forest visitors should avoid cultivated areas, livestock areas, agricultural buildings and equipment, and the CVM campus. Clear signage and trail design should reinforce the boundaries of these facilities.

Opportunities for enhanced partnership with the Piedmont REC and the CVM deserve active exploration, including development of a connecting trail from the CVM campus to the Forest trail network and potential trail connections to the broader campus system, as well as better coordination of recreation events in Fants Grove with the Piedmont REC.

5.1 Trailhead Parking Areas

Trailhead parking areas are the primary points of public access to the CUF trail system. Current efforts focus on evaluating and improving these areas to provide safe, orderly access for the greatest number of visitors. Where designated parking and traffic control improvements have been implemented, visitors are expected to observe all posted signage and park only in designated spaces.

Trailheads also serve as critical access points for forest management operations. Gates and roads may be needed at any time for fire management, timber harvest, or emergency response without advance notice. Vehicles blocking gates will be towed at the owner's expense.

Assessment Criteria for Trailhead Improvements

When evaluating trailhead improvements, the goal is to enhance safety, accessibility, and resource protection while accommodating visitor demand. Assessment considers capacity and circulation patterns, pedestrian safety, signage, visitor amenities such as kiosks and trash receptacles, maintenance requirements, and cost-effective phased implementation. Collaboration with faculty in Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management is central to successful projects.

Main Trailhead Parking Areas — Current Status

Parking Fees

The feasibility of instituting parking or access fees is under active consideration. The Harbison State Forest model — operated by the SC Forestry Commission, which charges an access fee at a gated entrance — should be carefully reviewed. It may be a relevant precedent for the Issaqueena Lake Road context. Legal review of liability implications will be completed before any fee program is implemented.

5.2 Trails

Trails are the primary interface between the public and the CUF, and trail stewardship is central to the recreation program. All CUF trails should be designed and maintained to support diverse recreational use while protecting environmental sustainability, minimizing erosion, and preserving water quality.

Maintenance Philosophy and Priorities

The current trail network requires significant maintenance attention — particularly addressing clogged water turnouts and incised trail conditions. Restoration of the existing network to a safe and sustainable state is the priority of this planning period, preceding any new trail development or expansion.

Maintenance responsibilities are organized by task type:

• Routine maintenance (benching, small tree removal, overgrowth clearing, leaf removal) requiring no structural change to the trail may be performed by organized user groups, coordinated in advance with CUF staff.
• Quarterly Trailwork Days are coordinated by CUF staff to address larger maintenance needs.
• Structural maintenance (work requiring machinery, bridge repair, or large tree removal) is the responsibility of CUF staff.

In accordance with the Forest Management Plan, trail infrastructure will be protected to the greatest extent possible during harvest and silviculture operations. Advance notice of closures or reroutes will be communicated through social media and on-site signage.

Modifying the Trail System

The primary focus of trail work is restoring the existing network. New trails or major reroutes will be pursued only when clearly warranted. All trail system modifications must be discussed with and approved by the CUF Manager, who may delegate the process to recreation staff.

Reasons for considering trail modifications include: environmental or ecological concerns; research site conflicts; forestry operations; trail user safety or navigation; trail sustainability; and cultural, historical, or hazardous site considerations.

Users and volunteers may submit recommendations to recreation staff, who will evaluate requests and escalate to the Manager as appropriate. No modifications will proceed until recreation staff have submitted a formal project request to the Manager and received approval. This may be an iterative process requiring multiple site visits before final approval is granted.

Minor Reroutes

Minor reroutes arising from localized issues — washouts, fallen trees, overuse, or habitat protection — are routine and do not require the full modification process. They require coordination and approval by recreation staff only. Major reroutes are treated as equivalent to new trails and follow the full approval process.

Trail Condition Reporting Process

• Recreation staff will conduct systematic trail condition surveys using the Field Maps application.
• Volunteers and users will continue uploading observations through the Trail Maintenance Survey.
• When staff receive a reported issue, they will resolve it directly or coordinate a volunteer response.
• A closed-loop reporting and resolution system will be developed within the Field Maps application during this planning period.

Trail Closures and Obliteration

Trails may be closed temporarily — for forestry operations or safety — or permanently where land use changes make continued use inappropriate or where reroutes render original alignments obsolete. Closures must be communicated clearly through signage, physical barriers, and digital communication channels.

Permanent closures should be followed by obliteration — restoring a former trail corridor to natural conditions. Obliteration involves: blocking access and posting closure signage; rehabilitating hydrology through drainage features; recontouring the trail bed and breaking up compacted soil; and evaluating whether active revegetation through seeding or native plant installation is needed.

General Design and Maintenance Standards

• Sensitive areas — avoid wetlands, rare species habitats, and culturally significant areas.
• Slope — maintain trail grades between 3–20% (except for short distances) to prevent erosion.
• Drainage — ensure proper drainage using contemporary trail design standards such as the Coweeta Dip; move trails from flat wet areas to sideslopes where possible.
• Forestry and research — assess impacts to ongoing, planned, or proposed forestry and research activities before siting or rerouting trails.
• Control points — use positive control points (waterfalls, vistas, compelling destinations) to create desirable routes; use negative control points (hazards, private property, sensitive areas) to define areas to avoid.
• User experience — design flowing trails for mountain bikers; maintain clear sight lines and adequate corridor height clearance for equestrians.
• Trail width — maintain standards appropriate to the designated user group for each trail segment.
• Closure signage — ensure permanently or temporarily closed sections are clearly marked and blocked. 

Strategic Opportunities for Expansion

The CUF trail network comprises approximately 87 miles of trails and 47 miles of forest roads. Maintenance and improvement of this existing system is the primary goal. However, as development pressure increases along Forest boundaries and recreational demand continues to grow, strategic expansion or modification of the trail system may be warranted. Such opportunities will be evaluated at the Executive Director and Forest Manager level within the context of the Forest's overall mission and resource constraints. 

5.3 Signs

Signage is essential to a safe, welcoming, and educational experience in the CUF. Signs serve four distinct functions: trail navigation; ownership and management communication; safety and risk information; and interpretation of natural and cultural resources.

The CUF's long management history has produced a diverse and inconsistent sign inventory. A central goal of this planning period is to develop a systematic, sustainable, and Clemson-branded signage program encompassing trailhead kiosks, intersection markers, inner-trail waypoints, and interpretive panels covering cultural history, ecology, and forest values.

Three principles govern the signage program. First, all trailhead and parking area signs must clearly communicate that recreating in the Forest involves inherent risk and must provide emergency contact information. Second, interpretive signs must be developed with appropriate on- and off-campus expertise to ensure accuracy and cultural sensitivity. Third, all signage must comply with Clemson University branding conventions through consultation with MARCOM.

Creative Inquiry research projects in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management have mapped and categorized existing Forest signs. Recreation staff will build on this work to develop a comprehensive signage plan for Manager review and budget approval. New entrance signs identifying Clemson University ownership and the Forest's current name will be designed by Campus Planning and installed by 2027. 

5.4 Community Gathering Areas

Picnic Areas and Shelters

The CUF's historic picnic facilities, many constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, are among its most valued community assets — historically significant, actively used, and maintained through a combination of staff and volunteer effort. Every effort should be made to keep these structures in safe and functional condition, using historically appropriate materials and designs wherever possible.

Designated picnic areas and shelters are available for public enjoyment, classes, and events on a first-come, first-served basis. Day use only. Users are responsible for leaving facilities clean, removing all trash, food waste, and personal items upon departure.

Restoration of historic structures is a central and ongoing goal. Projects should be conducted in partnership with the Clemson Office of Historic Properties and other restoration experts. Targeted Friends of the Forest campaigns represent a promising funding pathway for restoration and visitor experience improvements. A reservation system for shelters and picnic areas is under consideration, and monitoring through periodic patrolling or camera systems may be developed to manage peak use.

Docks and Boat Ramp

Docks and the boat ramp on Lake Issaqueena provide safe, orderly access for permitted watercraft. A 5 mph speed limit applies on the lake. These facilities are intended for launching, loading, and short-term access only. There is no lifeguard service; all water activities are undertaken at the user's own risk. The dam is posted as off-limits for swimming, diving, and sliding.

Camping

Camping is not permitted except under an authorized University program. Development of a campground or backcountry camping sites in partnership with an academic program in outdoor recreation — such as through FEC or PRTM — represents a longer-term opportunity worth exploring during this planning period.

5.5 Bridges

The CUF bridge inventory ranges from large-capacity vehicle bridges supporting forest management operations — most notably the Six Mile Bridge, addressed in Section 4.2 — to smaller trail bridges used by hikers, bikers, and equestrians. Large-capacity bridges are evaluated within the Forest Management Plan in the context of forest operations. Trail bridges are evaluated through the trail assessment process described in Section 5.2. Users and volunteers may report bridge conditions through the same Trail Maintenance Survey used for trail issues. 

5.6 Trash Receptacles

Visitors share responsibility for maintaining a clean and safe environment. The CUF encourages a Pack In, Pack Out philosophy: all trash, leftover food, and personal items should be removed by visitors upon departure. Trash receptacles in designated areas are provided for small, incidental waste only.

Receptacles will be serviced weekly during peak use periods. A longer-term evaluation of the costs and benefits of receptacle removal — and identification of optimal permanent locations — will be conducted during this planning period.

How Recreation at the CUF is Supported

Recreation management at the CUF is financially supported by Clemson University, with a portion of the Forest's budget derived from timber sales, ecosystem services, and other forest revenue streams. The Wildlife Management Area leases with SC DNR also contribute to recreation funding. Friends of the Forest, a donor-supported program coordinated through the Clemson University Foundation, raises funds for specific recreation projects and improvements.

Volunteers are the foundation of much of the maintenance and improvement work in the Forest. Volunteer contributors represent the Forest's primary user communities and donate not only their time but materials and equipment. Staff work with volunteer leaders to prioritize, plan, and execute projects. The CUF also receives significant professional advice and support from faculty in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management; Forestry and Environmental Conservation; Campus Recreation; Cooperative Extension; and Emergency Services, as well as from neighboring municipality, county, and state agency professionals.

6.1 Student Experience Opportunities

Students engage with the CUF in both formal and informal ways. Formal engagement includes paid internships, Creative Inquiry and other research projects, and courses and lab sections held in the Forest. Informal engagement includes individual and group recreation across the trail network, lake, and historical areas.

The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management is the most consistently engaged academic partner in Forest recreation, with students gaining extensive hands-on exposure to recreation resource management through coursework and research. Recreation staff are available to consult with faculty across departments to identify how Forest management needs can be incorporated into research, class, and lab contexts, and to support the execution of those projects.

A priority for this planning period is deepening the connection between the Forest and Campus Recreation. The Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center and the CORE program provide excellent student outdoor resources, but currently under-utilize the Forest — in part due to unclear trailhead connections and transportation logistics. The Forest is a genuinely accessible outdoor adventure resource for Clemson students, and developing a stronger working relationship with Campus Recreation is a concrete and achievable near-term goal.

Additional student-focused opportunities include development of backcountry camping experiences in the more remote Level 1 zones of the Forest, and expanded promotion of the mountain biking and hiking network to the student population. CUF staff will expand map and trail information published on the website and Data Hub, and promote student access through social media, orientation events, and news releases. Connection of the CUF trail system to campus via regional trails such as the Green Crescent will be explored as a longer-term connectivity goal.

6.2 Community Engagement and Volunteer Programs

Through nearly a century of interaction with local people, the CU Forest has become a significant cultural resource for surrounding communities — providing accessible, free outdoor recreation and serving as a gathering place across generations. Community contact points include hunting on the WMAs, mountain biking and hiking, fishing, organized events, and ongoing communication through social media and news releases.

Many of these activities have given rise to organized community groups focused on advocacy, resource protection, trail building, and events. These groups are among the Forest's most valuable assets. Volunteering in the Forest is itself a form of recreation — and the Forest's approach to volunteer engagement reflects that. People donate their time and improve our shared resource. The obligation in return is to treat volunteers with respect, organize their effort purposefully, resource them adequately, and ensure their experience is both productive and enjoyable.

Clemson University Extension plays a significant role in outreach and education, especially through organizing Forest Fest. Extension involvement should be expanded, as interactions with the public through recreation provide an excellent opportunity for public outreach and education regarding natural resource management.

The following framework governs volunteer program design and management:

1. Program Design and Goals: Managing volunteer involvement — including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and educational outreach — will be aligned with ecological priorities and management needs. Goals include at least two major volunteer workdays annually, regular smaller-scale scheduled workdays such as the "Tuesday Trailgroup," and coordination led by the Forest Manager and Recreation Specialist.
2. Recruitment and Outreach: A volunteer recruitment form is maintained on the CUF website. Recruitment targets faculty-integrated volunteer experiences, student organizations, and diverse community participants including families, seniors, and skilled professionals.
3. Registration and Screening: A simple sign-up system collects basic contact information and availability. For activities involving physical risk or specialized equipment, skill level and physical capability are assessed in advance.
4. Training and Orientation: All volunteers receive on-site orientation covering Forest rules, safety protocols, and environmental stewardship principles. Task-specific training is provided as needed, including invasive species removal techniques, trail maintenance methods, and wildlife monitoring procedures.
5. Task Assignment and Scheduling: Volunteers are matched to projects based on skills, interests, and physical ability. Activities are scheduled seasonally to align with ecological needs — planting in spring, trail clearing in fall.
6. Supervision and Support: Experienced staff or lead volunteers guide each group. Necessary tools, safety gear, and clear task instructions are provided.
7. Recognition and Engagement: Volunteer contributions are acknowledged through events, certificates, social media recognition, and annual reports. Long-term participation is encouraged through ongoing communication and involvement in special projects.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation: Volunteer hours, project outcomes, and participant feedback are tracked. Data are used to improve future programs, adjust tasks, and ensure both volunteer satisfaction and ecological benefit.
9. Safety and Risk Management: First aid kits are maintained on-site and all volunteers are briefed on emergency procedures. Risks of outdoor activities are assessed in advance, with guidelines provided for weather, wildlife, and terrain. A certification system for power tool use — particularly chainsaws — is maintained. CUF staff will maintain current first aid training, with Wilderness First Aid as the minimum standard and Wilderness First Responder as the preferred qualification.

Events held in the Clemson University Forest must follow established standards and procedures to protect the resource, ensure visitor safety, and maintain compatibility with the Forest's primary mission of research, teaching, and public education.

7.1 Special Use Permits

Any organized event with 50 or more participants requires prior approval from the CU Forest, with a minimum of four months advance notice to Forest staff. Approval will be evaluated based on: compatibility with the Forest mission and Land Ethic; potential impact on the resource and other users; safety planning and liability coverage; cleanup and restoration commitments; and associated costs. Depending on the nature and scale of the event, the Forest may require a fee, volunteer service, or in-kind contribution.

Uses listed as incompatible will likely not be approved. Clemson University faculty do not require Special Use Permits for classes or lab sections meeting in the Forest. SC DNR, SC Forestry Commission, and other partner government agencies do not require permits for authorized training or management exercises. When in doubt, consult the Forest Manager to determine whether a permit is required.

7.2 Forest Fest

Forest Fest is an annual one-day event held in the Issaqueena Lake area each spring, typically attracting approximately 600 visitors. The event showcases the Forest's research, education, and recreation programs, bringing together nature enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, conservationists, and families for a day of community-oriented activities. Forest Fest is organized by Clemson Extension with support and participation from PRTM faculty and students. The Forest Manager oversees planning and execution

7.3 Other Planned Events

Numerous organizations and individuals hold events in the Forest each year. These include student-organized events such as the annual trail race organized by the Clemson University Forest Trail Runners, as well as outside-group requests for organized races, family gatherings, and community celebrations. All such events are discussed in advance with the Forest Manager, who will direct the appropriate review and response. All events are evaluated for compatibility with the Forest Mission and Land Ethic.

A strategic goal of the CU Forest is to serve as a genuinely accessible natural resource for the campus community and surrounding municipalities — connected physically, programmatically, and culturally to the places and people it serves.

8.1 Campus Connectivity

Two specific campus connectivity opportunities are priorities for this planning period. The Snow Center offers a platform for organized programming that brings students into the Forest, and a more formal partnership to develop and promote Forest-based student experiences should be pursued. The College of Veterinary Medicine campus, adjacent to Forest lands, presents an opportunity for a connecting trail linking the CVM to the broader Forest and regional trail network, providing students and faculty with active transportation options to and from campus.

8.2 Community Connectivity

The Green Crescent Trails project aspires to connect the Clemson-Central-Pendleton area through a network of trails and public alternative transportation options linking the places residents live, work, learn, and play. A strategic goal for the CU Forest is to integrate its trail system with the Green Crescent, extending the reach of both networks and enhancing the Forest's role as a community recreation resource. The CVM-campus trail connection described above represents one near-term opportunity within this broader vision.

The CU Forest is positioned to serve as a cornerstone of a sustainable recreational and ecological future for the Clemson region — connecting campus to community, people to nature, and present stewardship to long-term resilience.

9.1 Sanitary Facilities

It has long been noted by faculty, students, and members of the public that sanitary facilities at trailheads need to be seriously considered. Meaningful expansion of recreation in the CU Forest cannot be achieved without installation of sanitary facilities at major trailheads. Current trailheads collectively host tens of thousands of visitors annually. The absence of bathroom facilities affects visitor experience, limits the duration and nature of visits, and raises legitimate public health concerns at high-use sites.

Bathroom installation is a significant capital investment. Planning, design, and construction costs can reach seven figures, and recurring maintenance costs must also be budgeted. Given the scale of public recreational use the Forest provides — free of charge, to residents across a multi-county region — a request for State support for one-time construction costs, with a longer-term plan for recurring maintenance, is appropriate and is being pursued through the annual University budget process.

9.2 Camping

A structured camping experience integrated with the University mission through student service learning and experiential education, as well as curricular integration, should be considered. Holly Springs has been discussed as a possible developed campsite. This idea was connected with a potential “ranger training” certificate or minor, and the idea of a “Clemson Conservation Corps”. Backcountry sites and a permit system for their use in the Level 1 Ecological Areas could be integrated with campus outdoor recreation programs.

The CU Forest Strategic Plan establishes the Forest as a University-level asset reporting to a Vice President, and prioritizes improving student and community engagement and experience. Any large-scale recreation initiative — including major new trail systems, significant infrastructure investments, new recreational use categories, or partnerships involving external organizations — will be subject to a formal review process at the Executive Director and Forest Manager level.

That process includes the following steps:

1. Proposal initiation: A written proposal is submitted to the Recreation Specialist or Forest Manager by a staff member, faculty partner, user group, or community organization. The proposal should describe the initiative, its purpose, anticipated impacts, resource requirements, and any relevant precedents.
2. Staff review: The Forest Manager and Recreation Specialist review the proposal for compatibility with the Forest Mission, Land Ethic, Strategic Plan, and existing management priorities. Relevant campus and off-campus expertise — including from the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management and SC State Parks and Recreation — is solicited as appropriate.
3. Executive Director review: Proposals passing staff review are discussed with the Executive Director, who evaluates them in the context of University priorities, budget, and any required approvals from the Dean, Provost, or Board of Trustees. Many proposals are resolved through this conversation, either moving forward informally or being shaped into a more formal request as warranted.
4. Decision and communication: The Executive Director issues a decision with rationale. Approved proposals proceed to implementation planning. Declined proposals receive written explanation. Proponents may revise and resubmit.

All large initiative decisions will be documented and retained in the Forest management record.

Clear, consistent, and multi-channel communication with visitors, stakeholders, volunteers, and the surrounding community is essential to effective recreation management. Information distributed through digital platforms should complement and reinforce that provided through on-site signage, trailhead kiosks, and printed materials. The CUF website is the primary authoritative source of information and should be the first point of inquiry for all users.

Online and Digital Tools

• CUF Website — comprehensive information hub; maintained by MARCOM.
• CUF Data Hub — hosts trails data, biodiversity records, and other Forest information; maintained by Institutional Effectiveness.
• Survey123 Trail Maintenance Survey — a mobile application through which community members and volunteers can report and categorize trail hazards such as downed trees and damaged bridges. CU Forest staff maintain the survey; data feeds the interactive trails map on the Data Hub and website.
• CUF Blog — owned by MARCOM, maintained by CU Forest staff; used for educational content and program updates.
• CUF Facebook Page — owned by MARCOM, maintained by CU Forest staff; primary social media channel for recreation updates shared to user group pages.
• CUF Annual Report — organized by MARCOM with information supplied by CU Forest staff; released each fiscal year on the website.
• Friends of the Forest — the Clemson University Foundation provides monthly donor lists; CU Forest staff send personalized acknowledgment letters and donor gifts to each contributor.

Signage

The CUF signage program is described in detail in Section 5.3. In summary, the program encompasses three categories: informational signs conveying management and ownership information; interpretive signs explaining natural and cultural resources with input from appropriate academic expertise; and directional signs providing navigation throughout the trail network. A comprehensive, Clemson-branded signage plan is under development and will be implemented during this planning period, with new Forest entrance signs installed by 2027.

This plan builds on a strong foundation of prior work. Previous CU Forest recreation planning documents reviewed include Powell et al. 2006; the Natural Resources Inventory by Cox, Sill et al. 2008; trail planning documents by Dr. Gene Wood; and graduate research including theses by Taylor Parker, Adam Beeco, Lydia Hiesel, and recreation-focused Creative Inquiries led by Drs. Betty Baldwin, Dan Harding, David White, Rockie English, and others.