Francis Marion National Forest encompasses over 258,000 acres of coastal plains, pine savannas, and cypress swamps near Cordesville, South Carolina. The forest experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Tent campsites near Cordesville provide primitive backcountry experiences with limited cell service, making them suitable for campers seeking disconnection from urban environments.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: The Swampfox Passage section of the Palmetto Trail offers extensive hiking opportunities through Francis Marion National Forest's diverse ecosystems. "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," notes one Francis Marion National Forest visitor.
Off-road exploration: The forest contains numerous unpaved roads and trails suitable for vehicle exploration. "My buddies and I 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. The next morning after we made breakfast we explored for hours, in our trucks and by foot," shares a camper.
Wildlife observation: The forest hosts diverse wildlife including various snake species, making cautious observation essential. "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," advises a regular visitor.
What campers like
Natural solitude: Many campers appreciate the forest's primitive camping areas that offer genuine seclusion. "We didn't stay on a set camp ground, with no cell service and no one bothering us we got to simply relax," reports one Francis Marion National Forest visitor, highlighting the privacy options available throughout the forest.
Overnight trail access: The forest's camping areas provide convenient bases for trail exploration. "It's 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," describes one regular visitor.
Historical sites: Nearby historical structures add cultural interest to camping trips. "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," suggests a camper who stayed at the Halfway Creek area.
What you should know
Water availability: Potable water sources are extremely limited or non-functional in many camping areas. "There used to be water available but that spicket is well past it 'sell-by-date'. The closest store is a 10-minute drive," warns a camper about Francis Marion National Forest. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies for their entire stay.
Insects and wildlife: The low country ecosystem hosts abundant insects, particularly during warm months. "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," advises one camper who visited the forest.
Waste management: Most primitive tent campsites near Cordesville lack waste disposal facilities. "Bring lots of water and bug spray and some trash bags to pack your trash/T.P. out!" recommends a visitor to Halfway Creek, emphasizing the importance of proper waste management.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: The forest provides natural learning experiences for children. "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. The children had a chance to go swimming and they love that they learned a lot of things about nature and did some life skills," shares a grandparent who camped with family.
Select camping areas carefully: Some camping areas may experience disruptive behavior from other visitors. "The people next to us were drunk and they had dogs. Well the people were drunk, they curse... it was impossible," reports one Francis Marion National Forest visitor, suggesting families should research specific camping areas before visiting.
Prepare for weather fluctuations: The forest area can experience sudden weather changes including heavy rainfall. "The first night there was a flash flood," notes one camper, indicating the importance of proper tent placement and rain gear for family camping trips.
Tips from RVers
Parking limitations: While designated camping areas offer parking, the forest's primitive nature limits large vehicle access. "You can park in a lot just outside the camping area—some people sleep in their cars there," explains one Francis Marion National Forest visitor describing Halfway Creek, which lacks standard RV amenities like hookups.
Choose sites based on vehicle type: Tent campers with larger vehicles should research specific access points. "My buddies and I drove our trucks off the normal road to find ultimate privacy. We stayed in our trucks that night," shares a visitor, indicating that truck camping is viable in some forest areas where standard RV camping might not be.
