Sandhills State Forest
Robin Carter
Directions
To reach the Sugarloaf Recreation Area in Sandhills State Forest from the intersection of US 1 and SC 145 north of McBee go northeast on US 1 for 8 miles. Here turn left (north) onto Road 29, Hartsville-Ruby Road. Follow Road 29 north for 3 miles, and then bear right onto Scotch Road. After 0.4 miles on Scotch Road turn right onto Bottom Road, which leads to the recreation area in about a mile.
Birds to look for
Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser (w), Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, American Kestrel, Eastern Screech-Owl, Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Common Nighthawk (s), Chuck-will's-widow (s), Whip-poor-will (s), Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Loggerhead Shrike, Red-breasted Nuthatch (w), Brown-headed Nuthatch, Swainson's Warbler (s), Summer Tanager (s), Bachman's Sparrow (s), Henslow's Sparrow (w)
Description
Sandhills State Forest is adjacent to, and very similar to, Carolina Sandhills NWR. The state forest has more pine plantations and less old-growth longleaf pine, but still has plenty of habitat for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Bachman's Sparrows. The state forest has a good campground at Sugarloaf Recreation Area. Sugarloaf Mountain (513 feet) is one of the highest points in the South Carolina sandhills. There is a short trail to an observation point at the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, with spectacular views of the forest.
Along the road from US 1 to Sugarloaf Recreation Area you will pass a powerline right-of-way with an active American Kestrel nest box, so it is possible to find this species year round here.
There is a disjunct tract of Sandhills State Forest just north of the village of Cassatt, in Kershaw County. From the intersection of US 1 and Providence Road (Road 59) in Cassatt go north on Road 59 for a bit more than 2 miles. You will pass Cassatt Tower Road on your right (east). Keep going a short distance until you reach Cassatt Tower Road (a loop road) for the second time. Turn in here and park by a logging road into the state forest. Look for white diamond-shaped state forest boundary signs. The Cassatt Tract of Sandhills State Forest has about 500 acres of pine plantation in various stages of growth. This area often has large numbers of wintering sparrows. Henslow's Sparrow has been found in this general area more than once.