Francis Marion National Forest

Travel | Francis Marion National Forest

While making my way from Charleston to Columbia (South Carolina), I took a bit of a detour through Francis Marion National Forest. The swamps and marshes were the biggest attraction, demanding frequent use of bug spray.

Top Five Hikes + Places to Explore

• Awendaw Passage - this seven mile trail stretches the cross-state Palmetto Trail to the Intracoastal Waterway.

• Little Wambaw Swamp Wilderness - with no formal hiking trails, this wilderness is perfect for exploring with fresh eyes. Wild orchids also grow here.

• Sewee Shell Ring Interpretive Trail - a one mile self-guided interpretive trail offers close views of areas transformed by Hurricane Hugo.

• South Tibwin Hiking Trail - a diverse, beautiful hike through hardwood bottomlands, pine uplands, tidal marsh, freshwater ponds and wetlands.

• Swamp Fox Passage Trail - this 47.2 mile hike is the longest section of the cross-state Palmetto Trail.