Please note: FMRD Recreation Sites closing Sept 11, 4:30PM due to Hurricane Due to Hurricane Florence, all recreation sites on the Francis Marion Ranger District, including the office, will be closed by 4:30 on Tuesday, September 11. Our sites will reopen after post-storm assessments are made. If you need immediate assistance, please call 843-336-2200. The Francis Marion, located in the coastal plain of South Carolina, is bounded to the north by Santee River and to the east by the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. The forest is situated between two major metropolitan areas: Myrtle Beach (30 miles to the north) and historic Charleston (40 miles to the south). This part of coastal South Carolina is a popular tourist destination, well-known for its freshwater and saltwater recreational opportunities, golf and tennis, beautiful coastal scenery and historical landmarks dating from prehistoric times through the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. The forest offers a wide variety of recreation opportunities ranging from hiking, biking, motorcycle and canoe trails to rifle ranges and a boat launch on the intracoastal waterway.