The Sumter National Forest consists of 370,442 acres (1,499.13 km2) which are divided into 3 distinct sections in western and central South Carolina.

The Enoree Ranger District is the largest, comprising roughly 170,000 acres in Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry, and Union counties.

Next is the Long Cane Ranger District, comprising about 120,000 acres in Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, and Saluda counties.

Once the lands became part of the Sumter, the process of controlling soil erosion, regulating the flow of streams and the production of timber began.

Local place names and streams attest the Cherokee Indian heritage of the area, including the Chattooga, Chauga, Cheohee, Tugaloo, Toxaway, Keowee, Oconee, Tamassee, and Jocassee rivers or creeks.

The Ranger District is named for Andrew Pickens, commander of South Carolina rebel militia during the American Revolution.

[4] The Long Cane Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest is located in west central South Carolina, along the Georgia border.