Francis Marion National Forest dominates the camping landscape near Huger, South Carolina, with 258,000 acres of diverse coastal ecosystems. The forest experiences significant temperature shifts between seasons, with summer highs frequently reaching 90°F and winter nights sometimes dropping below freezing. Camping areas range from established sites with boat access to primitive locations where visitors must be completely self-sufficient.
What to do
Kayaking on the Intracoastal Waterway: Buck Hall Recreation Area offers direct access to paddling opportunities. "We had a blast kayaking around and had some awesome dolphin encounters," shares one camper who enjoyed wildlife viewing from the water.
Hiking the Palmetto Trail: Multiple trailheads connect to this cross-state path that runs through Francis Marion National Forest. One visitor at Halfway Creek - Dispersed Camping noted, "Hiking trails are nice and groomed. Very peaceful and everyone stays to themselves."
Rock climbing and outdoor activities: Families can enjoy constructed climbing walls and challenge courses at larger campgrounds. "Situated just north of where your RV is anchored is the Outdoor Zone featuring a 50 foot climbing wall, obstacle challenge course, 1K sq ft bouldering wall and slackline," reports a visitor describing the extensive recreation options.
Fishing in Lake Moultrie: Military families can access shoreline fishing spots. "Short-stay is a beautiful camp right on Lake Moultrie a short distance from Charleston, SC. Great for fishing, swimming, camping, RV, and much more," explains a regular visitor.
What campers like
Historic sites and local connections: The forest contains significant Revolutionary War history. At Honey Hill Recreation Area, a camper shared this encounter: "An old Vietnam vet named Jim stopped by to give us some sweet potatoes and fill us in on the local history. He said that it was around this site that General Francis Marion gathered his forces to fight the British in a decisive revolutionary war battle."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The coastal location provides chances to observe diverse species. A camper at Buck Hall noted, "It has a fantastic dog park and several miles of paved walking/biking paths. We had awesome dolphin encounters."
Night sounds and natural atmosphere: The forest provides a soundtrack for overnight stays. A visitor at Honey Hill Recreation Area commented, "It was nice hearing the bull frogs in the overnight as well as the owls. Ensure you have some type of insect repellent as the mosquito population is not lacking."
Proximity to area attractions: Many campers use forest camping spots near Huger as a base for regional exploration. "We spent three nights here as a base for our trips into Charleston. With our America the beautiful senior pass. I think it was only like $50 for three nights," noted a Buck Hall camper.
What you should know
Seasonal insect activity: Mosquitoes are consistently mentioned by visitors. "Calm campground, with good ramp for boating and a pier for fishing. Don't forget your bug-spray, mosquitos are aggressive here," warns one James Island County Park camper.
Facility maintenance varies: Condition of bathrooms and amenities fluctuates by location and season. A visitor to Buck Hall noted, "The only reason I am not giving this campground 5 stars is that the bathrooms were pretty gross. They were working on them while we were there so maybe there is a brighter future for these run down bath houses."
Limited connectivity: Cell coverage is spotty throughout the forest. One camper reported, "Our hotspots worked great here too!" showing this isn't always the norm in the area.
Campground security concerns: Some dispersed areas have less oversight. At Honey Hill Recreation Area, a visitor was told, "Elmwood is a better choice if we ever make it back this way. He said that since this campground is not serviced by the Rangers, there have been cases where people have had items stolen when their site was unattended."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Mount Pleasant-Charleston KOA provides numerous water-based options. "We stayed here for a week in the summer and loved it. The park offered fishing, kayak/canoe/paddle boat and paddle board rentals. They also had a free wagon ride to a nearby plantation a couple of times a week," reports a family who enjoyed the amenities.
Wildlife education opportunities: The forest region offers learning experiences for children. "The nearby Sewee Visitor Center has red wolves and is free to visit. They also have RV parking! We enjoyed this, but if you have kids I think it would be a must do! You can call ahead and find out when they will be feeding the wolves," suggests a visitor.
Camp-based recreation: Some sites offer extensive on-site activities. "Wonderful park with plenty of amenities! We stayed here in October when the water park/pool was closed, but there was still plenty to do with bike rentals and the outdoor adventure area," notes a visitor to James Island County Park.
Safety considerations: Parents should research specific campground layouts. "Since it's free, you can expect to see some interesting neighbors coming in and out. But with the ranger station down the street, the rangers do patrol this daily," explains a frequent visitor to Honey Hill Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Francis Marion National Forest offers various RV-suitable sites with different advantages. "IMHO the best slots in this RV exclusive campground are those on the perimeter with the best sites being the ones without anything behind them, specifically on the NW periphery with sites #46 - 55," advises one experienced RVer about site selection.
Weather preparedness: The coastal location experiences rapid weather changes. "We spent April 17-19 here. Beautiful spot on the intercostal waterway. Well maintained and lots of room between campsites," notes a Buck Hall visitor who enjoyed fair weather during their springtime stay.
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds have more level sites than others. One visitor observed, "Nice RV Site if you are visiting Charleston, South Carolina. The site is very hot due to no trees. Currently the restrooms and showers are down, so you need to have a self contained unit."
Hookup limitations: Access to full utilities varies widely between campgrounds. "Stayed for three nights before heading to OBX. A very limited camping area. Good if your only interest is camping, fishing and hiking. Nothing else to do. Little disappointed with level of maintenance especially with bathhouse," comments a Buck Hall visitor who found the amenities lacking for their needs.
