Kayaking the Intracoastal Waterway, dropping crab traps off the fishing pier, and watching dolphins feed in the marsh grass are among the reasons campers return to Buck Hall Recreation Area. Set within Francis Marion National Forest about 40 minutes northeast of Charleston, this US Forest Service campground sits directly along the Intracoastal Waterway, where live oaks and palmetto trees shade the tent sites while most RV sites occupy more open, grassy ground closer to the water.
The campground runs small, around 20 sites total, with the majority wired for electric hookups and accommodating rigs up to 40 feet. Waterfront spots fill fast. As Eric K. notes, "views of the Intracoastal waterway are nice, watching the variety of boats pass by." A boat ramp and fishing and crabbing pier are on-site, and the ramp is deep enough for trailered boats heading out toward Bulls Bay. One practical note worth knowing: trailering a boat typically requires booking an RV site rather than a tent site.
Reservations are strongly advisable, particularly during shrimp baiting season, which runs approximately 60 days starting the Friday nearest September 15 and tends to book the campground solid. Fall, spring, and winter are generally cited as the most comfortable seasons. Cell coverage is limited, with Verizon users reporting one to two bars, enough for basic use, though Starlink has worked well at several sites. The bathhouse condition draws mixed feedback across reviews, ranging from clean and functional to showing wear, so expectations should be set accordingly. Nearest supplies are roughly 8 miles out, with a grocery store about 30 miles away.
The Palmetto Trail's coastal terminus is accessible directly from the campground, giving hikers and mountain bikers access to a maritime forest canopy that provides shade on warmer days. Halfway Creek Dispersed Camping and Forrest Murrell Road Dispersed offer more rustic alternatives in the surrounding forest for those who want fewer amenities and more solitude. The Sewee Visitor Center, which houses red wolves and is free to visit, sits nearby, as does the Center for Birds of Prey just across the highway.
Campers who come prepared with supplies, a reservation, and a kayak will get the most from Buck Hall.
Description
Overview
Buck Hall Recreation Area offers a premier location to enjoy the outdoors. It is situated along the Intracoastal Waterway and provides great access to Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, 65,000 acres of marsh, tidal creeks and beaches; and Bulls Bay, the coast's best shrimp baiting area.
Recreation
The area is primarily used for shrimp baiting and fishing. Anglers can expect a huge variety of fish, including bass, flounder, sea trout, snapper, mackerel, swordfish, crab, shrimp, clams, oysters and more. The campground provides access to boating and ocean sailing. Fishing boats and often very large pleasure boats can be seen as they travel the popular Intracoastal Waterway. A long portion of the Palmetto Trail, which leads from the marshes of the ocean to the mountains of South Carolina, is accessible from the recreation area. Most of the trail is unpaved and can be used for hiking, biking or horseback riding, although a few sections are restricted to foot traffic only.
Facilities
The recreation area boasts a large picnic area and multiple campsites for tent and RV camping. Electricity and water hookups are available. Each site is equipped with a table, lantern post and campfire ring with grill.Accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided. The picnic area is equipped with tables, grills, an accessible walkway and fish cleaning stations. A lighted parking area and boat ramp are on-site.
Natural Features
The popular campground sits at sea level, alongside the Intracoastal Waterway. It is part of the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina. The campground itself is grassy and open, with very few trees and limited shade.
Nearby Attractions
Charleston, South Carolina is about 30 miles southwest of the campground.
Charges & Cancellations
Reservation Fees In addition to camping fees a non-refundable reservation fee of $8.00 for telephone bookings and $6.00 for website bookings applies. Cancellation Fees Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee in addition to the non-refundable reservation fee. Late Cancellations A cancellation the day before or on the day of arrival incurs a $10.00 cancellation fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation will apply. Non-refundable reservation fees still apply.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Buck Hall Recreation Area will soon be undergoing a major renovation. During construction, which is anticipated to start in Summer of 2026 and last approximately 18 months, the entire recreation area will be closed for public and contractor safety. The campground will close starting 07/15/2026. The renovation may affect the following amenities: campground, dump station, day use area, boat ramp and floating docks, roadways, infrastructure systems (electrical, water and wastewater), and the seawall. More information on the timeline for construction will be posted when available. If you have questions or would like additional information you can send an email to: SM.FS.fmrd@usda.gov.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBuck Hall Recreation Area is located in South Carolina near McClellanville
Directions
From Charleston, South Carolina, take U.S. Highway 17 north ( 32.0 mi.) to Buck Hall Landing Road (Forest Road 242 /1099). Turn right into the recreation area. From Georgetown, South Carolina, take U.S. Highway 17 South/South Fraser Street (29.0 mi.) to Buck Hall Landing Road (Forest Road 242 /1099). Turn left into the recreation area.
Address
Francis Marion National Forest<br>2967 Steed Creek Road
Huger, SC 29450
Coordinates
33.0375 N
79.5627778 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/3/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/3/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/27/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 8/3/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 8/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/27/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 33 min from Charleston, SC
- 1 hr 8 min from Myrtle Beach, SC
- 1 hr 47 min from Sumter, SC
- 1 hr 50 min from Florence, SC
