Francis Marion-Sumter National Forest

Recreation on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests is as varied as the South Carolina landscape from the mountains to the coast.


Park Photo

Photo credit: USDA Forest Service

Officially designated in 1936, the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests encompass more than 629,000 acres throughout South Carolina. These lands are managed by the USDA Forest Service for multiple uses including watershed protection and improvement, timber and wood production, habitat for wildlife and fish species (including threatened and endangered ones), wilderness area management and recreation. The forests provide the American people with a diverse set of outdoor opportunities on four ranger districts in South Carolina (the Andrew Pickens, the Enoree, the Long Cane and the Francis Marion). Whether you enjoy hiking or riding trails, paddling, fishing, hunting, camping, birding or simply relaxing at one of our picnic areas, the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests have something special waiting for you!

https://www.fs.usda.gov/scnfs

Wilderness Areas/Wild & Scenic Rivers

Ellicott Rock Wilderness - This Wilderness provides visitors with bountiful opportunities to experience solitude and see an impressive array of plan and animal communities while hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, or kayaking.

Hell Hole Bay Wilderness - Hellhole Bay Wilderness may take its name from a large forest opening possibly formed by early wildfire behavior in the area.

Little Wambaw Swamp Wilderness - The remains of raised railroad tram lines cross the area and may provide slightly higher ground for camping, but wading in the sloughs and bottomland hardwood forest is a necessity to explore the wilderness.

Wambaw Creek Wilderness - Wambaw Creek is a peaceful, wilderness blackwater creek flowing through majestic cypess-tupelo stands.

Wambaw Swamp Wilderness - Wambaw Swamp Wilderness is thick with wild orchids, pickerel weed, sedges, lizard’s tail and ferns and is challenging to explore.

Invasive Species

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