Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
Dispersed camping is generally allowed
On national forest and grassland, camping outside developed campgrounds is generally permitted unless an area is posted closed or a local order says otherwise. Stay on existing surfaces, camp away from water and trailheads, and check the forest's current orders before you go — fire restrictions change through the season.
Rules change with fire season and local order. Checked 2026-08-05. Confirm on the managing office’s official page
- Area
- 2,158 sq mi
- Managed by
- Forest Service
- Campgrounds
- 17
- Longest rig
- 60 ft
Where the land is, and what fits
The official Forest Service boundary with every campground we hold inside it. Tell it how long your rig is and the map keeps only what takes it — public land rarely matches the shape people picture, and neither does what you can actually get into.
Official unit boundary · USDA Forest Service · 17 campgrounds shown
- Brick House CampgroundAll year · Reservations accepted
- Buck Hall Recreation Areato 40 ft · 20 sites · ElectricAll year · Reservations accepted
- Burrells FordSeason not published
- Cassidy Bridge Hunt CampAll year · Reservations accepted
- Cherry Hill Recreation Areato 60 ft · 29 sitesApril 1 – October 31 · Reservations accepted
- Collins Creek Seasonal CampCollins Creek Seasonal Campground is not reservable as a group site for dates outside of the established hunting seasons
- Elmwood Recreation AreaAll year
- GrapevineSeason not published
- Honey Hill Recreation AreaAll year
- Lick Fork Lake Recreation AreaAll year
- Long Bottom FordSeason not published
- Morrow Bridge and Midway Seasonal CampsSept. 13 through Jan. 4
- Poulous Loop Group CampReservations accepted
- Rocky Branch Seasonal CampgroundSeason not published
- Sedalia CampgroundAll year · Reservations accepted
- Whetstone Horse Camp18 sites · Pull-throughYear round · Reservations accepted
- Woods Ferry Recreation AreaYear round · Reservations accepted
No vehicles past these lines
Designated wilderness is closed to every wheeled vehicle, including bicycles. You can walk in and camp; you cannot drive or park a rig inside one.
- Little Wambaw Swamp Wilderness4,949 acres
- Wambaw Swamp Wilderness4,755 acres
- Hell Hole Bay Wilderness2,122 acres
- Wambaw Creek Wilderness1,832 acres
Byways through this country
Places worth pulling over
Drive to Francis Marion and Sumter the long way
Byway plans the road in, not just the destination — real places along the way, weighted to what you like, with nothing invented.