National Recreation Trails

Named for Francis Marion, a famous Revolutionary War general who was known as the Swamp Fox for harassing the more powerful British troops and disappearing into the swamp like a fox, this hiking and mountain biking trail ambles along old railroad logging trams for much of its length. It traverses a wide array of habitat types, from mature longleaf pine stands to bottomland hardwood drains and thick evergreen shrub bogs. This trail offers great scenery to visitors. Hikers and mountain bikers may encounter carnivorous pitcher plants meadow-beauty flowers and orange milkwort. Travelers may also spot white-tailed deer, red-cockaded woodpeckers and wild turkeys along its course. This trail was constructed in 1968 by area Boy Scouts. Many local troops still help the Forest Service maintain this trail.

Length: 27 miles
Travel time: 14 hours, walking; 7 hours, biking
Difficulty level: Easy
Surface type: Unsurfaced; grassy, old railroad logging trams
Camping: Halfway Creek Campground, off Halfway Creek Road (SC Route 98-S). The camp has hand pump potable water.

Restrictions: Hikers and mountain bikers only
Recommended seasons: Year long
Safety: During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects and high temperatures. Be advised of big-game hunting seasons. Avoid using the trail during excessively wet periods.

The Swamp Fox Trail is now part of the cross-state Palmetto Trail. When completed the Palmetto Trail will stretch through the Lowcountry near McClellanville to Oconee State Park in the Upcountry. To learn more contact the Francis Marion National Forest.

Directions

There are two trailheads!

Eastern trailhead: from Charleston, take US Highway 17 north to Steed Creek Road (SC Route 133-S) in Awendaw. Just beyond Steed Creek Road, the trailhead will be on the left on US Highway 17.

Western trailhead: (Located at the Witherbee Ranger District Office.) From Charleston, take US Highway 17 north to SC 41; turn left. At Huger bear left on SC 402. Travel three miles to Copperhead Road. Turn right and travel two miles to Witherbee Road. Turn right and travel half-a-mile to District Office and parking on the right. Or from Moncks Comer, take US Highway 52 north to SC 402. Turn right and travel three miles to Witherbee Road. Turn left and travel seven miles to the District Office and parking on the right.

Halfway Creek Campground: From Charleston, take US Highway 17 north to Steed Creek Road (SC Route 133-S). Turn left and drive five miles to Halfway Creek Road (SC Route 98-S). Turn left and go half a mile to the campground on the left.