Nature & Science
When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.
-John Muir
Because the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests comprise lands from the coast to the mountains, a visitor has only to open their eyes to witness the wide variety of plants and wildlife thriving in the forests. We invite you to explore some of the diverse creatures, plants and flowers found within coastal South Carolina's Francis Marion National Forest, using the gallery links below.
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Herpetofauna of Francis Marion National Forest

Gators, Snakes, Frogs and Lizards on the Francis Marion National Forest
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Birds of Francis Marion National Forest

Songbirds, birds of prey, waterfowl, gulls, shorebirds, and other birds call the Francis Marion National Forest home
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Flora of Francis Marion National Forest

Wildflowers, trees, and other plants unique to the Francis Marion National Forest
Features
Carolina Gopher Frog Conservation
From the pond to the hatchery tanks and back to the pond. In simple terms, this describes the Carolina Gopher Frog head-start program on the Francis Marion National Forest. But there is far more to it than that.
Reptile and amphibian diversity on the Francis Marion National Forest
We hope you will enjoy this PowerPoint presentation of pictures of reptiles as presented by Wildlife Biologist Jestin Clark. He spoke about several 2,600 reptiles living in over six ecosystems on the Francis Marion National Forest. The presentation was to a group of Francis Marion & Sumter National Forests (FMS), Forest Service Savannah River, and Region 8 employees at an optional, weekly “Lunch & Learn” program in October.
Alerts & Warnings
- Woods Ferry Recreation Area temporarily closed
- Sumter Nat'l Forest opens several more areas today (10/31)
- Closures on Francis Marion Nat'l Forest (Litchfield/Lottie bridges
- Candy Branch Rifle closed until further notice
- Emergency Bridge Closure off Forest Service Rd. 251H
- Long Cane district office reopening in new location
- Check the Call Before You Haul hotline before riding our OHV trails
- Seasonal rec area closures for Enoree OHV Trail, Collins Creek, & Rocky Branch
- FSR 376 Asias Branch Road closed on Enoree Ranger District
- FSR 374 (Hunting Fork Rd) closed
- America the Beautiful passes unavailable at Supervisor's & Long Cane offices
- Damaged bridges along the Enoree Passage of Palmetto Trail; exercise caution
- Please be aware of open well hazards on Sumter National Forest
- Enoree Ranger District Rifle Range Cleaning Schedule