FMNF Hell Hole Campout and Palmetto Trail Hike

Francis Marion National Forest – Hell Hole Swamp
Berkeley County, SC
May 22nd – 26th, 2025

Halfway Creek Trailhead – Palmetto Trail
Charleston County, SC
May 24th, 2025

Thursday – Monday
For the 13th year, SCAN will join the naturalist group Under a Low Country Moon (ULCM) for their annual interpretive weekend. ULCM has been gathering over Memorial Day weekend since 2001. The group focuses on snake, frog, and turtle spotting throughout the Francis Marion National Forest. Teams and individuals slowly travel the dirt roads in vehicles and on bicycles, watching for snakes and other critters. Stops are made at pitcher plant bogs, ponds, pine forests, and cypress swamps for on-foot exploration. The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down! Evening road cruises are often the highlight of the weekend. Back at camp, folks gather around the fire to tell tall tales and roast a few marshmallows.

For the folks who wish to camp, follow the directions to the grassy field that serves as home base just off Hwy 41 on Hell Hole Road. This is primitive camping, so plan to “pack it in, pack it out.” The first campers typically set up Thursday evening and the last tents are struck around mid-morning on Monday. For those who prefer hot showers on occasion, there are several hotels about 30 – 45 minutes away in Moncks Corner or Mount Pleasant.

Restrooms are available at the Circle K / BP in Jamestown, approximately 15 minutes away from camp.

Notes:

• Hell Hole Road is in decent shape, meaning road cruising is on the itinerary. However, a vehicle with high ground clearance or 4×4 is always recommended in the FMNF. Bicycles are a good alternative too.
• The mosquitoes will be out in full force. Stock up on Thermacells, bug spray, and long-sleeved shirts.
• The Subway located inside the Circle-K has not been open consistently in recent years. Have a plan B in mind if you usually get sandwiches from this shop.

Saturday: Halfway Creek Trailhead of the Palmetto Trail – 10:30 am start on 5/24/2025
SCAN’s “official” outing day is Saturday. This year, we’re exploring the Halfway Creek Trailhead of the Palmetto Trail, which runs parallel to Halfway Creek Road for 2.5 miles. We’ll meet in the parking lot for the Halfway Creek Trailhead at 10:30am. (33.055885, -79.695592)

For more information about the Swamp Fox Passage of the Palmetto Trail, visit:
http://sctrails.net/trails/trail/swamp-fox-passage

Saturday Potluck and Social at Hell Hole Campground: 5/24/2025 at ~4:30pm
After our regularly scheduled soodle along the Palmetto Trail on Saturday, we’ll be convening at the Hell Hole campground for a potluck dinner and revelry! So please bring a dish, serving ware, a chair, your smile, and some campfire stories. It’s BYOB, so don’t forget your cooler! There is no power on site, so make sure your dish can either be served cold, kept hot, or heated on a camp stove.

After the potluck, there will be night herping and road cruising. So, plan to stick around late if that’s your jam!

Directions to Hell Hole Campground:
Forest Road 158 / Hell Hole Road
GPS Coordinates: 33.1785, -79.7653

From the Interstate:

1. From 1-26E, take exit 194 towards Road 16 / Jedburg / Pinopolis
2. Turn LEFT on Jedburg Rd and go 5.1 miles.
3. Turn RIGHT on US-176E and go 0.4 miles.
4. Turn LEFT on Black Tom Road / State Road S-8-467 and go 5.7 miles.
5. Keep RIGHT to continue on State Road S-8-413 and go 0.2 miles.
6. Turn LEFT at the 2nd cross street onto US-17 Alt N / South Live Oak Drive and go 5.5 miles.
7. Use the left 2 lanes to turn slightly LEFT onto US-17 Alt N / US-52 W / N US Hwy 52 and go 1.9 miles.
8. Take a slight RIGHT onto US-17 Alt N and go 5.6 miles.
9. Turn RIGHT onto Bethera Road / State Road S-8-48.
10. After 0.2 miles, continue on Bethera Road and go 5.4 miles.
11. Turn RIGHT onto SC-41 S and go 2.5 miles.
12. Turn LEFT onto Hell Hole Road / Forest Road 158. (It sneaks up on you!)
13. Take the first RIGHT into the campground.

From Charleston, SC to Hell Hole Road, Huger, SC

1. Merge onto US-17 N / Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge / Septima Clark Pkwy via the ramp to Mt Pleasant
2. At the end of the bridge, stay LEFT to continue on US-17 N / N Hwy 17 and go 7.7 miles.
3. Use the left 2 lanes to turn LEFT onto SC-41 N and go 5.4 miles.
4. Continue onto Clements Ferry Road / State Road S-8-33 for 0.1 miles.
5. Turn right onto SC-41 N and go 17.7 miles.
6. Turn RIGHT onto Hell Hole Road / Forest Road 158. (It sneaks up on you!)
7. Take the first RIGHT into the campground.

Please note that Google Maps will take you to a different part of Hell Hole Road if you simply punch in “Hell Hole Road.” Make sure you’re navigating to the intersection of Hell Hole Road and Hwy 41. (Use the GPS coordinates.) Cell phone coverage is spotty, with lots of dead zones. Texts work better than phone calls most of the time.

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Directions to the Halfway Creek Trailhead of the Palmetto Trail:
Halfway Creek Trailhead, Halfway Creek Rd, Huger, SC
GPS Coordinates: 33.055885, -79.695592

From Hell Hole Campground (~20 minutes):

1. Turn LEFT on SC-41 toward Charleston and drive 5.9 miles.
2. Turn LEFT on Steed Creek Road and drive 7.4 miles.
3. Turn RIGHT onto Halfway Creek Rd and drive 0.5 miles.
4. Turn LEFT into the Trailhead parking lot.