Hello, Adventurers! Welcome to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If you love outdoor activities such as hiking, paddling, exploring nature and learning about wildlife, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the Coastal Expeditions blog we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts and nature programs. To our return readers, thank you for your support! We commend you for being committed to learning. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Speaking of educational resources, The Outdoor School consists of afterschool programs, weekly camps, school field trips and more! We offer hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, kayaking, and camping. Basically anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. If you are an educator interested in planning a fun trip for the students at your school, do not hesitate to reach out to us!

Our last article was for the birders out there! It’s wintertime in the Lowcountry and this offers a unique opportunity for sighting species which ordinally spend their breeding seasons farther north. In fact, ‘Winter Birding: Which Birds to Keep an Eye Out For’ was a continuation of our seasonal birding series, the first installment of which you can read here. If you’ve yet to see a green-winged teal duck or a harlequin duck, be sure to add these two to your checklist. They are adorable! We provided a few fun facts about several bird species, including the red-throated loon and the great horned owl, as well as an idea of where you’re most likely to spot these fellows this winter. Whether you’re a veteran birder or just starting your birding adventure, we hope you’ll use our seasonal birding series as a resource!

Today, we’re discussing a pretty popular blackwater tour through the historic Francis Marion National Forest. Just north of Charleston, the Francis Marion National Forest is an incredible 260,000 acres. It’s stunning biodiversity and sheer beauty make it one of South Carolina’s most treasured possessions. The Coastal Expeditions’ tour through Francis Marion National Forest—along the various blackwater rivers, led by our knowledgeable guides—unveils a veritable wonderland of natural phenomena. Teeming with wildlife, there are few destinations which offer the same degree of opportunity to witness animals in their element. Further still, every tour is different, as our guides play-by-ear to determine which path is best suited for the day. You might end up paddling along Quinby Creek, surrounded by the scent of wildflowers blowing off of the old rice fields. You might end up in the swamp, among the thick roots of cypress and tupelo trees, on the look-out for the elusive citrus-hued warbler. Or, you might end up in the Wambaw Wilderness Area, watching swallow-tailed kites dive for dragonflies. It’s entirely up to the day and you never know what you’re going to get. The majesty and mystique of Francis Marion National Forest is only bolstered by its storied history, which is why we’d like to take you on a short journey through time. We’ll discuss how the forest earned its name and national recognition, before delving into the flora and fauna you’re likely to find there. Finally, we’ll provide you with a little more information on how to prepare for your adventure! If you’re interested in learning more, read on!

The History of Francis Marion National Forest

The Francis Marion National Forest not only commemorates history, but also took part in significant historical events. Chiefly, the Revolutionary War. During the war, the decorated commander Francis Marion—dubbed the “Swamp Fox” by the British for his trickster ways—led his troops through the swamps of the forests. He knew the threat of alligators and snakes, as well as the difficulty of sludging through mud, would be enough to protect his men from advancing British troops. From these swamps, Marion’s men would spring forth and disrupt supply lines to the British army. Marion adapted this fighting technique from the Cherokee Indians. In fact, prehistoric Native Americans were the first to traverse these swamps and carve a life out of the wilderness. We know this because of a fossilized shell ring, dated at about 4,000 years old, found in the salt marshes of the forest.

This fantastic legacy preceded the forest long before it was recognized by Congress. Indeed, the forest proper wasn’t established until July 10th, 1936. The forest was named, along with the Sumter National Forest, by presidential proclamation. The human history of the forest stretches back over 12,000 years. Unfortunately, we are not privy to most of what has occurred within the bosom of those hallowed trees. We only know the forest has served many, both human and animal, very well over the course of its lifetime.

Flora & Fauna of Francis Marion National Forest

The entirety of the 258,864 acres of Francis Marion National Park is located in what’s called the subtropical coniferous forest. These types of forests don’t receive much rain, even though they are considered tropical habitats. Instead, they are known for their vast array of conifers. Conifers are cone-bearing seed plants. Examples of conifers found within Francis Marion National Park include: longleaf pines, loblolly pines, cypresses, and tupelos (also known as the bald cypress). Conifers are well-equipped to deal with wide swings in temperature, which are common in subtropical forests. The understory of this type of habitat is dominated by ferns and fungi, since the canopy blocks most light from reaching the forest floor. Most of the trees currently found in the Francis Marion National Forest are young. This is because when the Category 4 hurricane, Hugo, hit the coast in 1989, many of the old-growth trees were killed. The young trees were left in its wake and these make up the majority of what we see in the forest currently.

Over 1,600 species of plant have been found in Francis Marion National Forest. (This includes twelve species of carnivorous plants. Watch out!) You can find over thirty-two species of orchid in the forest, along with countless wildflowers. The swamp is home to the American alligator, most active during the summer months, and quite a variety of snakes.

It’s important to note many migratory birds and butterflies choose to overwinter in subtropical conifer forests. As previously mentioned, swallow-tailed kites call Francis Marion National Forest home. These kites have been placed on a watch list and the group at Francis Marion comprises one of the largest, northern-most concentrations of breeding swallow-tailed kites. Further, one of the largest breeding populations in the world of the red-cockaded woodpecker, a federally endangered species, resides at Francis Marion National Forest. Bald eagles habitually make their nests there, along with wood storks, while painted buntings use the forest to breed. The forest is host to a great number of bird species, both plentiful and endangered. For this reason, Francis Marion has been designated an Important Bird Area by both the National Audubon Society and the American Bird Conservancy.

About the Tour

Those who attend the Francis Marion National Forest tour with Coastal Expeditions can expect a day-trip packed with sights. There will be moments of excitement—when you spot a painted bunting drifting high overhead—and quiet contemplation—as you’re steadily rowing along the tannic waters of the creek. All gear (i.e. canoe/kayak, paddle) is provided, along with instruction and guidance. The tour lasts between five or six hours, including the preparation and creekside picnic. You’ll want to bring lunch, snacks, water, sunscreen, bug spray, and a jacket. Be sure to dress appropriately, with shoes which will not slip off and synthetic (fast-drying) clothing. The cost is $115 per adult and $95 per child. As we mentioned previously, each tour location is ultimately left up to the discretion of the guide, who will inform you of the details prior to your trip. For our private tours, you’re able to choose your destination, which includes the Wambaw Wilderness Area, Echaw Creek, and Quinby Creek.

You can check our available dates for the Francis Marion National Park Paddle tour here. Now that you’ve been informed of the rich history and even richer natural abundance of Francis Marion National Forest, we hope to see you out there, enjoying the splendor with us! Check out our other offerings on our website and find the adventure which suits your spirit best! Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!