Francis Marion National Forest comprises 250,000 acres of swamps, vast oaks, pines, and little lakes though to have been formed by meteors.

After the Civil War, the land was bought up by lumber companies, who established logging camps and laid down railroads for transporting timber to Charleston and other cities. The lumber companies in turn sold the land to the government. The forest encompasses numerous campsites as well as a few small towns.

Huger Recreation Area is open for day use only and is a good place for picnicking. It has a boat launch on the nearby creek and is one of the most popular spots in the forest.