Unlike many virtually untouched areas in the western United States, Ellicott Rock, and many other southeastern Wildernesses, has been heavily impacted by humans in the not too distant past. But the logging operations of yesteryear have been over long enough for impressive second-growth to cover Ellicott Rock Wilderness, and you'll find white pine and hemlock growing dense in lower coves and along streams, upland hardwoods on slopes and scrub oaks and pitch pines on dry ridges. This forest typifies the Appalachian greenbelt and lies just south of the highest rainfall area in the eastern United States. You may expect some wet weather. In South Carolina the area rises from the river to a high point on Fork Mountain at 3,294 feet.
Several trails give access to the South Carolina portion.
From Sloan Bridge Picnic Area, 6.3 miles of the Ellicott Rock Trail will take you down to Ellicott Rock itself. At the river this trail joins the Chattooga River Trail which follows the South Carolina side of the river for 4.4 miles to Burrell's Ford Campgroud. Ellicott Rock stands relatively near millions of Americans and use of this area is high, but along the river you'll probably find less humans. Extreme western South Carolina. Maps showing the hiking trails are available free from the district ranger.