9 Best Things To Do In Santee, South Carolina

Bhawna
Posted Dec 21, 2021
| 3 min read

Santee is located on the south shore of Lake Marion, the largest freshwater lake in the state of South Carolina. It has become a resort town of note located centrally north-south along the Atlantic Seaboard of South Carolina. If you’re planning a trip here soon, be sure to book one of the best cabins or other vacation rentals in Santee to make the most of your stay. April and October are the best months to plan a visit to the little paradise of Santee. The weather in April and October is moderate and the humidity is minimum. In April you will get the opportunity to traverse the blooming lush gardens.

1. Fisheagle Nature Adventures

Fisheagle Tours conduct 2 to 3 hour history and wildlife Eco-boat tours on Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, The Pinopolis Lock, The Tailrace Canal and the Cooper River. Their scenic trips are fully narrated by an experienced Naturalist and Biologist.

Fisheagle Nature Adventures

Address: 277 State Park Rd, Santee, SC 29142, USA

Website: Fisheagle Nature Adventures

2. Lake Marion Golf Course


Located in the heart of Santee lies one of the more rewarding golf experiences in the area. Lake Marion Golf Course is a perennial favorite with traveling golfers and features fantastic Miniverde greens that are in perfect shape all year long. At Lake Marion Golf Course, they also feature the area’s largest golf pro shop, a lighted driving range and golf instruction by PGA Golf Professionals.

Lake Marion Golf Course

Address: 9069 SC-6, Santee, SC 29142, USA

Website: Lake Marion Golf Course

3. Smith's Super Store

This is a fun place to visit with lots to see and a very interesting store to visit. There is the large exterior, making the store look much larger that it is inside. The store is packed with trinkets, souvenirs, and fireworks. There are a LOT of fireworks in this store.

Smith's Super Store

Address: 1911 Eastern Ave, Gallipolis, OH 45631, USA

4. Santee National Golf Club


Rolling hills and mossy oaks mix low country charm with highland terrain; Santee National Golf Club is rated 4 stars by Golf Digest’s Places to Play. You can enjoy the grand tradition of golf at Santee National Golf Club with beautiful surrounds.

Santee National Golf Club

Address: 8636 Old Number Six Hwy, Santee, SC 29142, USA

Website: Santee National Golf Club

5. Santee Cajun Guide Service


Santee Cajun Guide Service will provide memorable time fishing on the lake! They provide personalized coaches and service to make sure you are equipped with the right tools. Catch your first big fish with the assistance of Santee Cajun Guide Service. The Santee Cajun Guide Service is a retreat for those who love fishing in beautiful weather.

Santee Cajun Guide Service

Address: 123 Mall St, Santee, SC 29142, USA

Website: Santee Cajun Guide Service

6. Fisheagle Wildlife Tours


On these tours, narration includes cultural history of the Santee-Cooper Lakes, area folklore tales and natural history of the area’s wildlife flora and fauna. Each trip is very unique because nature has surprises in store. It is always a wonderful journey as you explore sunken, flooded forests, wildlife refuges and unique places only accessible by boat.

Fisheagle Wildlife Tours

Address: 277 State Park Rd, Santee, SC 29142, USA

Website: Fisheagle Wildlife Tours

7. Santee State Park Hiking

You can begin this biking or hiking trek at the trailhead on the right, just before the entrance to the camping area on State Park Road, or at the swimming area on Cleveland Road. This broad, mostly level, pine needle covered path passes through a mixed pine and hardwood forest draped with Spanish moss, but in several places, you will be able to glimpse the lake and its numerous cypress trees. You will see several paths that go into the woods toward the lake, but follow the blue blazes to stay on the main trail. On the inward part of the trail (away from the lake), you will bike/hike over stretches of boardwalk through a thick forest.

Santee State Park Hiking

Address: 251 State Park Rd, Santee, SC 29142, USA

Website: Santee State Park Hiking

8. Santee National Wildlife Refuge

The National Wildlife Refuge, within the US Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America’s fish, wildlife, and plants. Take a safari tour to explore the gift of bewitching Mother Nature. See the most exotic birds with bright blue, green, and red plumage, the breeding male Painted Bunting is one of North America’s most gaudily colorful songbirds. Raptors are plentiful. Alligators may be seen sunning on canal and pond edges. Largemouth bass begin to move into the shallows. Visitors can come to Santee National Wildlife Refuge year-round! The seasonal changes of the refuge allow for visitors to witness a large variety of migratory species as well as resident ones during the spring and summer.

Santee National Wildlife Refuge

Address: Summerton, SC 29148, USA

Website: Santee National Wildlife Refuge

9. Lake Marion

Lake Marion is the largest lake in South Carolina. It is known for its big fish and abundant wildlife. Public access is provided through several public boat ramps, Santee State Park, and the Santee National Wildlife Refuge. I-95 crosses this beautiful man-made lake near the town of Santee. Things to do near Lake Marion include the Walking Trail of Historic Homes and Gardens, Lone Star Bluegrass & Country Music Jamboree, Richburg Farms, Mountaineer Motel, Lakeside Market, Rocks Pond Campground & Marina, St. George Office/Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, Palmetto Shores RV Resort, Knight Inn, Defending Carolina - Civil War Battlefields Tour, and Bee City.

Lake Marion

Address: Lake Marion, SC, USA

Website: Lake Marion

The escape of Santee

The town of Santee, South Carolina will rejuvenate you and your soul. It will unite you with yourself and your senses. It is located right in the lap of Mother Nature and has a gift for every one of you to enjoy. If you spend your leisure time playing sports, there’s fishing and golf. If you cherish spending your hours in silence, take long walks along the banks of Lake Marion.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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