Overnight at Santee State Park, SC

On our return from Asheville, NC we overnighted at Santee SP on Lake Marion in Santee, SC.  We were lucky to get a site as the recent rains had closed one whole loop indefinitely.  Definitely a place to return to.  Very pretty.

It's a long road from the highway to the campground and sign in.  Then if you were in the loop that was closed down it's an equally long road.  Pretty drive, though.

The loop we stayed in is open compared to those we've stayed in previously, but the sites are somewhat defined and far enough apart and level sand.  Besides, the neighbors are friendly.

The loop is sand as are the sites.  The loop road leaves a lot to be desired, but the upside of that is no one speeds through the campground. The showers/restrooms are a little old, but regularly cleaned.

It was rather chilly the time we spent, both day and night.  Our neighbors on both sides were traveling as groups and spent a lot of time standing around the campfire.  Not a bad idea, really.  Was pleasantly cold.

This is the ranger station and museum.  Neat, interesting place with a video and artifacts about the area.

 

And, it was nice to have the museum as all the trails were closed due to the recent rains.  They were either flooded or had sinkholes on them.  Glad the weather was nice and there were hardtop roads to bike or hike, albeit not as interesting as a trail in the woods.

Discouraging sign.  On all trails. 8-(

The park has a lot of picnic area with a playground, tables, covered pavilions and restrooms.  Good day trip for locals.

 Another attraction is the marina with fishing pier and the campstore with lounge overlooking the pier and lake.

Lake Marion is huge.  It provides enough space for fishing and water sports without anyone getting in the way of others.  This photo was taken late in the afternoon.  It is calm right now, most of the day it was rough enough for whitecaps.  Not much activity on the water.

The boat ramp and entrance to the fishing pier.  There remains a lot of debris in the loading area from the recent week of severe storms in this area.

The lake earlier in the day.  Pretty rough. 

Another view.

The view looking toward the neatest cabins that they have here.  Right around the bend.

Inside the lounge overlooking the lake.  They have a small library, wi-fi, tv, games (non-electronic) and generally a nice relaxing atmosphere to read, converse, gaze at the lake, or have a snack from the camp store.  The lounge is a replica of the cabins with out the room separations and kitchen.

 There are several cabins available, but the most interesting are the six that are on stilts in the lake. They were all occupied so we didn't get to see inside.  But, the website shows them to be really nice.

The walkway leading to the cabins on the lake.  Or, you can get to them by boat.