Hell Hole Bay Wilderness
Swamps and wetlands–that's what you'll find on all four Wildernesses in the Francis Marion National Forest. From June through August (the wettest season) much of the ground is usually submerged in 2 to 18 inches of standing water. On September 21, 1989, Hurricane Hugo swept through with winds in excess of 135 miles per hour, devastating decades-old second-growth forest. Virtually every tree that reached nine inches in diameter fell to earth, and trails and old roads were washed away. Wildlife suffered greatly, especially the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. On the four Wilderness areas, nature has begun to rebuild without human interference.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service |
| State | South Carolina |
| Size | 2,122 acres |
| Designated | 1980, by Congress |
| Center point | 33.22° N, 79.69° W |
| Night sky | About as dark as the ground gets (Black Marble reading 10) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 1 federal campground within ten miles sits inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedC-163 Fm Rx
7 mi from the center point · 222 acres
- WildfireHewitt Lane Fire
22 mi from the center point · 109 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 12.3 miSt. James Episcopal Church, Santee ↗National Historic Landmark
- 14.4 miBiggin Church Ruins ↗Moncks Corner, SC
- 14.7 miTaveau Church ↗Cordesville, SC
- 14.8 miOld Georgetown Road ↗McClellanville, SC
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for South Carolina
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Hell Hole Bay Wilderness?
2,122 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Hell Hole Bay Wilderness?
The U.S. Forest Service.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Hell Hole Bay Wilderness in?
South Carolina.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Hell Hole Bay Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 1980.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Hell Hole Bay Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Hell Hole Bay Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 33.217° N, 79.692° W. Charles Pinckney National Historic Site is 26 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Hell Hole Bay Wilderness right now?
2 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest C-163 Fm Rx at 7 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Which national parks are near Hell Hole Bay Wilderness?
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site (26 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Hell Hole Bay Wilderness?
The National Register has 4 listings within 15 miles, including St. James Episcopal Church, Santee and Biggin Church Ruins.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.