Palmetto Trail: Swamp Fox Passage

Francis Marion National Forest, between Awendaw (US 17) and US 52 near Moncks Corner

The Swamp Fox Passage is the Palmetto Trail’s longest section, about 47 miles through the Francis Marion National Forest north of Charleston. The Palmetto Trail says it crosses swamps, longleaf pine forest, savannas and cypress pools, and is named for Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, who used these swamps as hideouts.

It’s flat, but it isn’t easy to supply. The trail has one water source, and several campsites and trailhead services have been closed or removed.

The hike

Palmetto Conservation lists three trailheads: Steed Creek at the eastern end, off US 17 near Awendaw; the Witherbee Ranger Station in the middle; and US Highway 52 at the western end near Moncks Corner. It calls the passage easy as day trips and moderate as a through-hike. The Palmetto Trail says boardwalks and footbridges cross the wet areas, which can flood after rain, and that mosquitoes are common.

From the east, the trail passes through longleaf pine forest that Palmetto Conservation says is home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, and grassy savannas near Dog Swamp and Turkey Creek. The only water on the passage is at a ranger station off Steed Creek Road, about 1.2 miles west of the trail crossing between miles 13 and 14. From mile 19 to mile 26, the trail shares the Jericho Horse Trail.

Halfway Creek is now a trailhead only, not a camping area, and its water source has been removed. Farther west, the Cane Gully campsite is closed. SCTrails.net describes the temporary reroute from mile marker 38: go left (west) on Forest Service Road 133 for about 1.4 miles, right on Cane Gully Road for about 0.8 mile, then left back onto the trail where it crosses the road.

Near the western end, the trail crosses a cypress pool footbridge with views of Wadboo Swamp, which SCTrails says should be avoided after rain. The US 52 trailhead has no restrooms or water.

Backpacker’s 2013 overnight on the passage describes a “soupy marsh” footbridge, two gravel forest-road crossings, and the Harleston Dam campsite, a “flat, primitive site for two tents (no water).” It recommends mosquito repellent.

The Palmetto Trail’s next passage west, the Lake Moultrie Passage, continues along the lake’s dikes. For a mountain section of the same statewide trail, see the Mountain Bridge Wilderness loop.

Tips

Carry all your water, or cache it. There’s one source on 47 miles.
Wear blaze orange in hunting season. The Palmetto Trail asks for it.
Don’t cut live trees. It’s prohibited for firewood.
Avoid Wadboo Swamp after rain. SCTrails warns it floods.
Bring repellent. The Palmetto Trail and Backpacker both mention mosquitoes.

Camping

Camping is limited to designated areas, with a three-night maximum stay, according to Palmetto Conservation. The Palmetto Trail lists primitive camping between mile markers 9 and 10, near 18, 25 and 30, and at the terminus on Lake Moultrie. Halfway Creek isn’t a designated camping area, and Cane Gully is closed. A forest-wide Forest Service order (through April 2027) limits camping to 14 days in any 30. Motor vehicles aren’t allowed on the trail, and horses are allowed only where designated.

Inside Intel: The National Forest Foundation’s list of Francis Marion campsites says that if you’re backpacking the Awendaw and Swamp Fox passages, “be sure to plan a night” at the Nicolas Creek site, which is primitive, with no water or facilities. Confirm it’s still in use before counting on it.

Trail facts

Distance: About 47 miles (sources give 47 to 47.6)
Route type: Point to point
Difficulty: Easy as day trips; moderate as a through-hike
Campsites: Primitive sites near mile markers 9-10, 18, 25 and 30; Cane Gully closed; no camping at Halfway Creek
Water: One source, at the ranger station off Steed Creek Road (between miles 13 and 14)
Permits: None found for the designated sites
Stay limit: 3 nights (Palmetto Conservation)
Dogs: Conflicting; confirm with the Palmetto Trail
Trailheads: Steed Creek (US 17, Awendaw); Witherbee Ranger Station; US 52 near Moncks Corner
Last verified: October 12, 2026

The Lowdown

Making every liter count:

The Swamp Fox Passage has one water source in about 47 miles, so an efficient stove matters. See which backpacking stoves testers rate.

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Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.