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Established Camping

Francis Marion National Forest

6 Reviews

Francis Marion National Forest, near Charleston, South Carolina, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. This campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, making it suitable for various camping styles.

The area is known for its great hiking trails, with some spots allowing you to drive right up to your campsite. Visitors have enjoyed the well-maintained paths and the chance to explore the beautiful low-country landscape. One camper mentioned, “It’s right on the trail, allowing you to park your car, set up camp, and then head out for a hike.”

While the campground is rustic, it has some essential features like picnic tables and fire rings for those cozy campfire evenings. Just remember to bring your own water and bug spray, as some reviewers noted the presence of mosquitoes. The natural surroundings are abundant with flora and fauna, making it a great place for wildlife enthusiasts and those looking to unwind.

If you’re up for a little adventure, the nearby Halfway Creek Church and various hiking trails offer a chance to explore the local history and scenery. Whether you’re camping with family or friends, Francis Marion National Forest provides a laid-back atmosphere perfect for reconnecting with nature.

Description

US Forest Service

Francis Marion National Forest

All sites are open with the exception of the following: Buck Hall Campground - closed while work is still underway on the water system. Reservations have been canceled through Feb. 7 in anticipation to re-open Wambaw Cycle Trail - closed until the trail can be assessed for hazards. Anticipate opening later this week. Boggy Head Rifle Range - closed. The site was used and abused heavily during the shutdown. Users ignored the site inappropriately and left trash. It is closed until the site can be thoroughly cleaned. Note: Please mark your calendar for Sat., Feb. 2 for the annual Francis Marion National Forest annual cleanup. If you would like to volunteer meet at the Huger Recreation Area at 9 a.m.

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Location

Francis Marion National Forest is located in South Carolina

Coordinates

33.14481005 N
79.69517097 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Available
Verizon
Available
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Picnic Table
Reservable
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

53 min from Charleston
1 hr 33 min from Myrtle Beach
1 hr 50 min from Sumter
1 hr 57 min from Florence

brenda L.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2021

Walking

My grandchildren and I went for traveling time there the first night there was a flash flood so the second day when we got there the people next to us were drunk and they had dogs. Well the people were drunk, they curseI have an also have just lost a love one trying to have peace of mind there was impossible you can hear the dogs howling from the shower stalls it was the first time ever going there and I will not go back to that location again it’s very disappointing the beach was phenomenal the ice cream store that they have there was great.

Sitewalking around

Month of VisitAugust

brenda L.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2021

Put on the wild side of nature.

I have my grandchildren for the end of summer before they started back to school and we went on camping for a little over a week it was great the children had a chance to go swimming and they love that the they learned a lot of things about nature and did some life skills people were very friendly and in all of the areas of congaree national park. we went to Congaree national Park , and the people are extremely nice and helpful. very family friendly.

Sitecongaree

Month of VisitJuly

Caleb J.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 7, 2021

Great spot for an overnight or for a weekend

I love this spot. Its right on the trail, it also allows for you to drive right up to the campground and park your car, set up camp and then head out for a hike. It has some spots closer to the parking area and others back away from it by a couple hundred feet. There used to be water available but that spicket is well past it "sell-by-date". The closest store is a 10-minute drive. Hiking is great. There are some areas where after rain it becomes "pools" of water making staying dry a bit difficult. The trail is being added to. At some point in the future, you can start at the ocean and walk across the state to the border of North Carolina and Georgia. The low country side is going to be flat walking with some minor up and over terrain. Hills don't show up until you get more west. Snakes are probably the worst thing you'll come across, however most want to get away from people unless they feel a need to defend. So, keep your eyes open, I've stumbled across a couple laying on the trail just trying to get sun and warm up. Once my presence was recognized they get away as fast as possible. Stay safe and keep your eyes and ears open.

SiteHalfway creek primitive trail camp

Month of VisitMay

Caleb

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2020

A great low-country experience

Fantastic hiking, well maintained (during normal services), and the primitive campsites are the best "get-away" opportunity.

Nature is abundant, both flaura and fauna. So bug spray is recommended to the unfortunate of us that are preyed upon by mosquitoes and the like. Also my dogs love it and it's a great energy burner for them.

Courtney B.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2020

Cheap, primitive, rustic!

We camped at Halfway Creek in the Francis Marion National Forest for the eclipse. It's a free campground, but there are no water and no toilets. You can park in a lot just outside the camping area--some people sleep in their cars there. This site does not take reservations, so it's first come-first served.

The actual camping area is wide open and grassy, but if you prefer more privacy, you can hike in a bit and pick a spot. We stayed in the open area because we were a big group and wanted the best view of the eclipse!

Something fun to do is to visit (gotta drive there) the Halfway Creek Church, constructed in 1941. You can also do a hike on one of the trails here.

Bring lots of water and bug spray and some trash bags to pack your trash/T.P. out!

[Off Halfway Creek Road (SC Route 98-S), located along Swampfox Passage/Palmetto Trail]

Month of VisitAugust

Matt W.

Scout

Reviewed May. 25, 2019

Good Times

My buddies and drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. We didn’t stay on a set camp ground, with no cell service and no one bothering us we got to simply relax. We stayed in our trucks that night. The next morning after we made breakfast we explored for hours, in our trucks and by foot. It was absolutely amazing, I can’t wait to go again... hopefully sooner than later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed at Francis Marion National Forest?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Francis Marion National Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Francis Marion National Forest have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Francis Marion National Forest does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Francis Marion National Forest?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.

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