Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests

Passes & Permits

Pass Information

Once obtained, Interagency Annual, Senior, and Access Passes allow the public to enter some fee areas without additional charge. This is convenient when traveling to several areas that charge an entrance fee. These passports may be obtained at any of the offices of the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests. Please call first to make sure someone is available to sell you the pass.

Permit Information

Permits are required for

	Selling any merchandise.
	Posting or distributing any handbill, circular, paper, or notice.
	Conducting or participating in a public meeting assembly or special event.

Groups of more than 75 people require a special-use permit to camp in either a campground or undesignated area. Groups of any size camping in undesignated areas will need a visitor pass/permit. Contact the local District Office.

Within the Chattooga River corridor, groups with more than 24 participants and/or commercial activities are prohibited without a Special Use Permit issued by the Forest Service.

Firewood and Miscellaneous Forest Products

Firewood permits are available at all district offices for personal use. The minimum cost is $20 and only dead and down wood may be taken.

Permits are available at all district offices for miscellaneous forest products. The minimum cost for a permit is $20.

Recreational Passes and Permits

Permits are required for the following activities on the Francis Marion and Sumter NF's:

	Day Use Parking
	Camping
	Motorized Trails
	Chattooga River Boating

Day Use Parking
Self-service parking permits are required at a few select parking areas across the forests. They include day use parking at Buck Hall Recreation Area, Parsons Mountain Lake Recreation Area, Lick Fork Lake Recreation Area, Fell Camp Trail head, and Buncombe Trail head. Yearlong passes are available for $25 per vehicle (contact district office for these), or a daily self-service fee of $3 per vehicle except at Buck Hall where the fee is $5 per vehicle.

Camping
Camping at established campgrounds and campsites across the forests will generally require a nightly self-service camping fee per family/group. There are some exceptions on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District and the Francis Marion National Forest where some campsites are free and can be obtained on a first come, first served basis. Seasonal camps on the Enoree and Long Cane Districts can also be reserved and on a monthly or seasonal basis. Contact the district office for more information.

Motorized Trails
There are four motorized trails on the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests: Wambaw Cycle Trail on the coast, and Enoree OHV, Parsons Mountain, and Cedar Springs OHV Trails in the mid-state. Each of these trails require a $5 self-service fee per motorized trail vehicle per day or a $50 annual pass per motorized trail vehicle. Contact one of the districts if you are interested in the annual pass.

Chattooga River Boating
A free self-service permit is required for each boating group on the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River. These are obtained at self-service stands located at the river access points.

USDA Forest Service - Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
Last Modified: Tuesday, 13 March 2007 at 10:39:19 EDT March 13, 2007