Honey Hill Recreation Area

Lots of birdsong. Mostly peaceful and quiet. An old Vietnam vet named Jim stopped by to give us some sweet potatoes and fill us in on the local history. He also told us that 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. Jim told us that it was around this site that General Francis Marion gathered his forces to fight the British in a decisive revolutionary war battle. He said they mainly subsisted on the sweet potatoes grown here. He told us that it was only about 5 miles southeast of here that the church burning recreated in the movie The Patriot took place. Old Washington road I think he said and you can still visit it. Jim is not the only friendly local ambassador we met. When I was struggling with a big log I wanted for firewood, a man on property to the west saw how hard it was for me to split a big log and brought a couple of nights worth of cut wood over in his very old jeep. My biggest disappointment here was the pit toilet. It seems they could do better with that or maybe just stock some cleaning supplies there.

This primitive camping facility is located between McClellanville and Honey Hill. A short camp loop swings through an upland pine/oak forest and encircles a fire lookout tower. The fire lookout tower is no longer in use.

This semi-primitive campground is about 30 minutes north of Charleston, SC, 8 miles west of Highway 17 in the heart of the Francis Marion National Forest.

The number one thing I love about this site: It's free. It's easy to get to. It's camping!

There are 12 fairly large sites spaced well apart so you avoid that parking lot feel. LOTS of trees. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.

The entire campground is well maintained by the National Forest Service, and the ranger. I say it's semi-primitive because there is a vault toilet which is old, yet clean. 

In the center, there is an old abandoned fire tower that is fenced off from people going up it.

I've been here several times and overall, it's fairly quiet. However, there was one Friday night where a bunch of 20 something's came in, climbed up the fire-tower and partied making for a not so quiet experience.

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 (I've never seen them in here at night). It's first come first serve, so weekends are usually packed. You better get here early.

I give it 4-stars because it's clean with generous spaces and we've always had a great time. Plus, the spots have so many trees, it makes hammock camping a breeze. All sites are perfect for car / truck camping. Just pull up and unload.

Nearby are several of the major trails that run through this National Forest, including the popular Swamp Fox. The site also is right next to one of the dirt forest roads, that takes you in even deeper.

10 minutes away, at the Highway 17 intersection are gas stations & mini markets, so if you need some basic supplies, things are right down the road.

Directions: From Charleston, take US Highway 17 north to McClellanville. At the intersection of SC Highway 45 (the yellow caution light) turn left, and drive eight miles to the camp.