It’s a sunny Thursday morning, and I’m standing on the Old 301 Bridge-turned-path in Santee, South Carolina — the muddy plains of Lake Marion below me, a pale blue sky filled with gossamer clouds above. I can see Ballard Sandbar, a strip of shore dotted with driftwood and knobby Cypress knees, to my left. By summer, it’ll be lined with pontoon boats as kids in floaties and chocolate labs bobbing for tennis balls splash in the shallows.
But Santee Cooper Country stretches far beyond the sandbar, much farther than I can see, even from my vantage point atop the bridge. Centered around the state’s two largest lakes, Marion and Moultrie, it encompasses five counties: Orangeburg, where Santee is situated, Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, and Sumter. Having grown up one town over, I’ve always seen the area as more than a map dot — a space between Charleston and Columbia that travelers may breeze past on I-95 without realizing how much the region has to offer.
It’s a place where Revolutionary War history meets modern-day trailheads, hometown diners dish out both fried delights and elevated Southern plates, and you can find self-service kayak kiosks, centuries-old burial mounds, and yes, even a Starbucks. Here’s how to explore the layers of history and hospitality in this under-the-radar stretch of South Carolina.
Things to do in Santee Cooper Country
Soak up nature at Santee State Park.
Photos: Julie Sprankles
I like to think of Santee State Park as a sort of choose-your-own-adventure destination. I began one morning by heading out on the forested hiking trails (there are 10+ miles); the next, I rented a kayak from Whenever Watersports’ self-service rental racks. It was a little too choppy that day to paddle the 20 minutes over to Poplar Creek Lakefront Grill, but locals swear the burgers are worth the upper-body workout it takes to get there. Nestled on 2,500 acres in the heart of Santee Cooper Country, Santee State Park is also a popular spot for fishing, gatherings (there are picnic shelters and playgrounds), and more.
Santee State Park: 251 State Park Rd, Santee, SC 29412
Retrace Revolutionary War footsteps.
Photo: Julie Sprankles
Located just across the bridge in Summerton, Fort Watson and the Bluff Unit of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge allow you to walk through Santee Cooper Country’s Revolutionary War past. Here, British forces once seized a sacred Santee Indian burial mound, using it as a fortified stronghold. Today, the site is thoughtfully preserved, including access to an augmented reality app that helps you learn more about the site’s history. The surrounding Santee Wildlife Refuge spans over 13,000 acres of trails and wetlands, making it ideal for low-impact hiking, birding, and wildlife-watching. When I was a child, we used to poke around the water’s edge to find artifacts like arrowheads — locals say if you’re lucky, you can still find some today.
Fort Watson: 1142 Fort Watson Rd, Summerton, SC 29148
Walk the Old 301 Bridge.
Photo: Julie Sprankles
The Old 301 Bridge in Santee, also known as the Santee Walking Bridge, has been closed to vehicular traffic for decades now, and in 2023 was repurposed as a place for visitors to stroll, cycle, and fish. This two-mile walk is peaceful, panoramic, and especially scenic around dawn or dusk. The bridge marks the start of the Lake Marion Passage of the Palmetto Trail, which is one of only 16 state-spanning trails in the US.
Old 301 Bridge: Bass Dr, Santee, SC 29142
Step back in time in Elloree.
Photo: Julie Sprankles
Thanks to a major downtown revitalization that took place in 1999, Elloree looks picture-perfect — the down-home version of a Hallmark town right there in Orangeburg County. It may be small, but it’s big on heritage. In fact, every local I met as I explored the quaint little main street was happy to share a bit of Elloree’s history. The Elloree Heritage Museum & Cultural Center was a highlight, starting with a thoughtfully curated gift shop filled with crafts and books by local artisans. For just $6 per adult, you can take a self-guided tour that lets you stroll through Elloree as it appeared in the early 1900s and see remnants of the town’s cotton-era agricultural roots, including a gin and press.
Elloree Heritage Museum: 2714 Cleveland St, Elloree, SC 29047
Find the Swamp Fox in Manning.
Photo: Julie Sprankles
Although Manning is slightly larger than Santee, it still retains plenty of small-town charm with walkable downtown streets, boutiques, and lots of cute eateries and shops. If you love a vintage aesthetic, be sure to pop by Brunson’s Pharmacy, one of the oldest pharmacies in South Carolina. History buffs, in particular, will enjoy the Swamp Fox Murals Trail, which brings General Francis Marion’s legacy to life across 18 murals scattered throughout the area. A digital map makes it easy to explore at your own pace and find all the murals, including the local favorite, “Reflections on Mill Street,” and my personal favorite, “Swamp Fox at Ox Swamp.”
Swamp Fox Murals Trail Society: 19 N Brooks St, Manning, SC 29102
Paddle like Noah and Allie from The Notebook.
Photo: Julie Sprankles
The cypress swamp here famously served as the backdrop for the iconic rowboat scene in The Notebook, and fans still flock here for that very reason. So, if you want to ensure you get to take one of the boats out into the swamp, put your name on the list early; the wait was two hours when we visited. Scenes from The Patriot were also filmed here, which makes sense as the main character’s backstory draws inspiration from General Francis Marion. A butterfly house, “swamparium” (aka a swamp-themed aquarium), animal exhibits, and splash pad round out the reasons this is a must-visit when you’re in the area.
Cypress Gardens: 3030 Cypress Gardens Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Where to eat in Santee Cooper Country
Clark’s Inn & Restaurant
Clark’s is as cozy as it is refined, with lots of warm lighting, elegant woodwork, brass accents, and heritage-inspired art —very Ralph Lauren lodge meets Charleston drawing room. The menu leans classic Southern, with comfort food staples cooked to perfection. We gorged on the specials of the night (a burger with candied bacon and jalapenos and a fish dish with truffle aioli) but still managed to save room for dessert: the dreamy Butter Pecan Turtle — butter pecan ice cream atop a slice of pecan pie.
Clark’s Inn & Restaurant: 114 Bradford Blvd, Santee, SC 29142
Craig’s Deli & Cafe
It’s easy to see why this laid-back little establishment is a local haunt: It’s unpretentious, affordable, and serves up classic deli staples, from Cubans to Reubens to the tried-and-true BLT. I opted for an egg salad sandwich, and it definitely hit the spot, but I have it on good authority that the chicken salad croissant is the stuff deli lunch dreams are made of.
Craig’s Deli & Cafe: 9083 Old Number Six Hwy, Santee, SC 29142
The Orchard Cafe
Tucked into downtown Manning, The Orchard Cafe is comfy, casual, and equally appropriate for a quick bite or if you want to linger a bit. The menu is packed with fresh, feel-good options. I grabbed The Lake House — a tropical smoothie made with strawberry, pineapple, coconut, and white chocolate — to sip while I strolled.
The Orchard Cafe: 5 S Mill St, Manning, SC 29102
Where to stay in Santee Cooper Country
Santee State Park
Photo: Julie Sprankles
Santee State Park provides the perfect environment to recharge your proverbial batteries. I stayed in one of the park’s round cabins perched right along the water’s edge (the park also has cabins on a pier over the water) and was ready to move in permanently after two days of watching Great Blue Herons wade just outside my window and being lulled to sleep by crickets and tree frogs. The park also offers traditional cabins, RV sites, and campgrounds, all with access to trails, kayak rentals, playgrounds, and the lake. It’s the ideal base camp if nature is your top priority.
Santee State Park: 251 State Park Rd, Santee, SC 29142
Clark’s Inn & Restaurant
Photo: Julie Sprankles
The same place where you can score some of the best food in Santee also happens to be a centrally located hotel. At this historic inn, Southern comfort meets modern amenities, with thoughtful touches that make you feel more like an actual guest than someone just passing through. Don’t forget to stop into Whimsey, the on-premises gift shop, where you’ll find everything from jewelry and home decor to original artwork from local artists.
Clark’s Inn & Restaurant: 114 Bradford Blvd, Santee, SC 29142
Palmetto Shores RV Resort
If you’re looking for the kind of place with potential to become an annual tradition, head just across the bridge to Palmetto Shores RV Resort in Summerton. Ideal for families, it offers sites for campers and RVers, as well as several log cabins right along the lake, within walking distance to the highly popular waterfront Lake House restaurant. Pro tip: You can’t beat the sunset views from the front porch of the cabins.
Palmetto Shores RV Resort: 5215 Dingle Pond Rd, Summerton, SC 29148
Getting to and around Santee Cooper Country
Photo: Julie Sprankles
Santee Cooper Country is conveniently located along I-95, approximately midway between the tourist mecca of Charleston and the capital city of Columbia, and is roughly 1.5 hours from each. If you’re flying in, the nearest major airports are Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) and Charleston International Airport (CHS). The best way to explore the sprawling region is by car, which makes it much easier to hit all of the trailheads, lakes, and historic sites.
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