Hike through Santee State Park

From Columbia SC, take I-26 South towards Orangeburg. Stay on this road for 31.5 miles and then take exit 136 to merge onto SC-6 E towards St. Matthews. Continue 28.3 miles along this road until you enter the small town of Elloree. Here you will turn left onto E Cleveland Street/ State Rd S-38-105. This road will dead end into the park; turn left at the final fork for the visitor's center and lake access, stay right for the campground (follow directions on signs). 

Once inside check in at the visitor's center for more information about recreational activities, indigenous wildlife, and the historical significance of the park. 

There are four hiking options to choose from, given your fitness/interest level. The Oak Pinolly trail is a short (3/4 mile) look which follows a pine forest into a small cypress wetland (yellow blazes). Don't think this short hike isn't packed full of nature; we observed a family of three Red Foxes playing and foraging. Another option is the Limestone Nature trail (1 mile loop). This trail follows a pine/oak forest along a sandy path to a secluded cove away from the main stem of the lake. Another option for a short hike is the Sinkhole Loop (3/4 mile). This trail displays a large sinkhole which drained one of the ponds on the property in the 1990's. Lastly, for the more adventurous type, there is a 7.5 mile hike/bike loop which takes you through a large portion of the park. This trail traverses pine/oak forests, and upland wetlands, and is a beautiful representation of the flora. 

Park Map