Santee State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Situated midway between Columbia and Charleston, South Carolina, Santee State Park covers 2,500 acres that run west to east on the southern shore of 110,000-acre Lake Marion. The park goes through Santee, SC, a small community located about 2 miles south of the park’s entrance. Santee State Park was created after the construction of Lake Marion for power production. The resulting flooding of the region made an environment perfect for the development of a recreational area. The water-logged forests take on a character of their own, and several varieties of fish find an excellent habitat among the roots and under the overhanging limbs that provide shade on hot days. The area is a natural wonderland visited by tens of thousands each year.
Spring 44-83 F
Summer 68-91 F
Fall 44-85 F
Winter 36-61 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Santee State Park
Using a motor home is the perfect choice when visiting Santee State Park. Not only does the motorhome provide a great home base for exploring the region surrounding the park, but it is also a vehicle capable of towing a car behind. Towing an extra vehicle allows you to leave your motorhome at the park while seeing the sights. These vehicles come in several sizes and are sure to meet any requirements you may have. To see motorhomes available to rent in the area, visit RVshare.
Santee State Park Campgrounds
There are two campgrounds that in Santee State Park that sit about 3 miles apart but that are still within the borders of the park. The Cypress View Campground offers 50 sites at the west end of the park. Lakeshore Campground provides 108 RV campsites on the east end. Between the two campgrounds, 48 sites offer 50-amp service with water while the remainder provide 30-amp service with water. Each campground offers a boat ramp for easy access onto Lake Marion. The park service supports a café and a snack bar. Children enjoy an immense playground, and the trails are easy enough for the entire family to enjoy.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amps
Sewer Hookup: No, but a dump station is on the site
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers
Fee: $21 to $44 per night
Lake Marion Resort and Marina
Lake Marion Resort and Marina sits about 10 miles east of Santee State Park on the shores of Lake Marion. It is a privately owned and operated resort that offers 52 RV campsites with an incredible number of amenities. Along with a marina, the resort offers a 450-foot fishing pier. Three championship golf courses sit nearby. A volleyball court and a basketball court overlook the lake. A large swimming pool is available for those who wish to take a quick dip. Boating, kayaking, and canoeing are other activities enjoyed by resort guests. A large playground is available for children, and a camp store provides all the essentials that campers need.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amps
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Warm showers, restrooms with flush toilets, laundry
Fee: $21 to $40 per night
Palmetto Shores RV Resort
Palmetto Shores RV Resort offers 114 RV campsites on the north shore of Lake Marion opposite from Santee State Park. Nearly all the campsites are pull-through. The resort is a gated community with extra security personnel to guarantee a safe and comfortable stay. Most travelers visit this resort to fish Lake Marion. A boat ramp allows easy access to the lake. For those wishing to stay on land, a fishing pond is available, which lets parents teach their children the art of angling. The resort provides two swimming pools, a “lazy river” facility, and a water park. A lakeshore beach is a great place to sit and to soak up some rays. Other activities include a mini-golf course and a large children’s playground. For those tired of sunbathing, a game room with pool tables, arcades, and board games is provided by the resort.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50 amps
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other Amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, laundry
Fee: $60 to $70 per night
What to Do at
Santee State Park
Inside Santee State Park
Santee State Park draws many visitors from large urban areas like Columbia and Charleston, SC. These visitors come to enjoy the natural feel that Lake Marion provides. Most come prepared to fish for various species like striped bass, trout, bream, crappie, white bass, white perch, channel catfish, and shellcrackers. For those who choose to stay on land, there are over 10 miles of hiking trails. A pontoon boat takes guests on tours of the flooded woodland with experts explaining the environment that the damming of the river provides for fish and wildlife.
Outside Santee State Park
Every community outside the confines of Santee State Park offers irresistible attractions for visitors to enjoy. The restaurants in the region provide an excellent choice of cuisines. Whether you are looking for fine dining, a hamburger, barbeque, or Asian cuisine, you find it here. Outlet malls and stores that offer multiple types of products are available within a short driving distance. Entertainment and hands-on educational opportunities abound in the area, such as racetracks that provide excitement and museums that tell the area's tale.
Restaurants
Clark’s Inn and Restaurant
Stop by Clark’s Inn and Restaurant for lunch or dinner. Much of the menu is unique to the restaurant, like the honey salmon or the shrimp and grits dinners.
Type: Southern
Location: 114 Bradford Boulevard, Santee, SC 29142
Lonestar BBQ and Mercantile
If you are looking for an old-fashioned family buffet, visit the Lonestar BBQ and Mercantile. Along the food line, you find a delicious mixture of Texas barbeque and Southern cooking. The caramel red velvet cake makes for a delectable dessert.
Type: Barbecue, Southern
Location: 2212 State Park Road, Santee, SC 29142
The Thai House II Restaurant
At The Thai House II Restaurant, you find a variety of Thai flavors. The teriyaki shrimp and the red curry chicken are just two examples of this restaurant's dynamic offerings.
Type: Thai
Location: 9052 Old Number 6 Highway, Santee, SC 29142
Shopping
Bradford Village Shopping Center
The largest shopping center in Santee, SC, is the Bradford Village Shopping Center. The center holds six shops, including a Food Lion, a boutique, a party shop, and a Dollar Store.
Location: 701 Bass Drive, Santee, SC 29142
Walmart Supercenter
The nearest Walmart Supercenter to Santee State Park is in Manning, SC. When you find yourself with a list of items to purchase, the 24-mile trip is worth it to find everything from medications to apparel to groceries.
Location: 2010 Paxville Highway, Manning, SC 29102
Sightseeing
Sumter Speedway
For those interested in taking in a speed race on a dirt track, go to the Sumter Speedway. The site hosts several different classes of dirt races and other motorized events such as demolition derbies.
Location: 3150 Wedgefield Road, Sumter, SC 29154
Sumter County Museum
Visit the Sumter County Museum, and find the history of the Deep South as seen at a community level. The museum is dedicated to the preservation of the style of living that once existed in South Carolina. Here, you find the documents that registered the sale of humans, production rates, births and deaths of enslaved people, and the tools used to harvest crops, make a home, and raise children.
Location: 122 North Washington Street, Sumter, SC 29154
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
The Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site gives visitors an insight into the lives of early colonists as they struggled to form a community along the Ashley River inland from Charleston. The town was abandoned during the Revolutionary War, leaving a handful of structures, making the site an interesting archeological study.
Location: 300 State Park Road, Summerville, SC 29485
How to Get to
Santee State Park
The only approach to Santee State Park is through Santee, SC. To get to the park from Santee city center, take Bass Drive eastward for 0.7 miles; then, turn left and go for 0.5 miles. Turn left again onto South Carolina Highway 6 West (SC-6 W) and drive for another 0.7 miles. Turn right onto State Park Road. The park entrance is 0.5 miles ahead.
Entering Santee State Park
Santee State Park is a day-use area that is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. each day
Santee State Park Entry fee (adults) : $3.0
Santee State Park Entry fee (South Carolina Seniors) : $2.0
Santee State Park Entry fee (children ages 6-15) : $1.0
Children under the age of 6 get in free.
You’ll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Santee State Park. If you don’t have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Santee State Park
Plan your RV camping adventure in the spring or fall when the weather is temperate. You'll have a wonderful time hiking and exploring the 2,500 acres of land when the leaves are changing into their crisp autumn colors.
While you're visiting Santee State Park, watch for waterfowl, osprey and bald eagles. You may also see wild turkey, white-tailed deer, raccoons and even alligators in the murky waters of Lake Marion.
There are two campgrounds in Santee State Park that offer a total of 158 RV or tent campsites. 48 of these campsites have 50 amp electrical service. Both campgrounds have modern restroom facilities and access to a dump station.
While reservations aren't mandatory, they will ensure you get the campsite you want. Reserving a spot can cost between $25 to $40 depending on the season and day of the week. A minimum two-night stay is mandatory with every reservation.
Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas at Santee State Park as long as they're kept on a leash. Many of the luxurious cabins allow pets. Pet owners may be asked to remove noisy or dangerous animal companions.