Stamp #14: Santee State Park

Stamp #14: Santee State Park

Our camping adventures begin at Santee State Park! We bought a new-to-us camper and we plan to camp at as many of our remaining state parks left to visit in our quest to become "Ultimate Outsiders!"

Our first trip with the camper!

We booked campsite #90 which turned out to be a beautiful campsite right on the lake. We had a clear path that led to the rocky shores of the lake. We had a corner space with no neighbors on either side. We had neighbors across the road, but luckily we saw by their awning flag that they are Gamecock fans, so we knew they were good people!

It was our first time taking out our camper, so we purposely chose a place not to far from home. Santee is just two hours from our house. All things went well with our first tow and set up. I found out quickly later that night that the air conditioner cools well, but the beds don't sleep well. I had added a 1.5 inch foam pad to the thin mattress, but that will definitely not do for a good night's rest! The next morning I posted a query to the RV Newbies group I joined on Facebook. Members responded quickly with several suggestions from those who suffered the same misery that I suffered. I'll be purchasing a 6-inch memory foam mattress before our next camp out! On night #2, I slept on the camper couch which converts into a single bed. It was better than the slide out bed, but not perfect!

I used the camper toilet and shower which was tiny, but usable. The rest of the family used the park bath houses. They said the bath houses were clean.

Wildlife on Lake Marion

Alligators in the lake!

For most of the next day, we explored the park. The park is spread out, so it is necessary to drive around. Our campsite was in Lake Shore Campground which is several miles from the main area of the park. We drove over and I got "stamped" at the visitor's center. Then we walked over to the camp store and pier. I found a brochure for a pontoon boa  tour on Lake Marion. I booked us all a tour. The tour was informative about the dam and flooding of the river and surrounding area (which I found to be a sad story) and about the wildlife habitat on the lake. We saw one alligator which was enough to convince me to not swim in the lake today.

Fishing cabins on the pier

After the pontoon boat ride, we made our way back to the campsite. We wanted to check out the fishing cabins on the pier, but they were closed for remodeling. Also, the pier was blocked off for construction. As we passed the land cabins, lots of deer were foraging in the woods nearby. Also, we ran over a rattlesnake in the road on our way back to camp and that was enough to persuade me not to check out the wooded trail in the park. We grilled burgers and roasted marshmallows by the fire for dessert. It was a peaceful and relaxing evening.

Wildlife on Lake Marion

While we were in the Santee area, we checked out Alligator Alley, part of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge. We drove the rural, 7-mile loop, but we didn't see even one alligator. We ran over another rattlesnake though. I was so glad we didn't hike the nature trail!

Wildlife in the park

Santee State Park is a beautiful state park. It's a great place for fishing, camping, and water activities.
Rating: *****
Entrance fee: $2
Restrooms: clean
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: available
Trails: lakeside trail, nature trails, 

Amenities: 158 campsites in 2 campgrounds, primitive camping area, picnic shelters, gift shop, 10 pier cabins, 20 land cabins, fishing pier, boat ramps, playground, visitor center 
Park Stamp: in box to the left of visitor center door

Stamp # 13: Oconee State Park

On our way home from a weekend mountain waterfall hiking trip in NC, we passed by Oconee State Park. Of course, I had to check it out! Since we were visiting on a Sunday afternoon, we missed the 70-year-old Friday night tradition: Square dancing at the barn!

Oconee was bustling with visitors on this beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon. Most were swimming in the lake or jumping off the diving board at the dock. First, I got "stamped" just outside the camp store,  then we walked around the lake to check thing out. Oconee has many motor-less fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks available for rent so that campers and day users can enjoy the lake. After checking out the lake and picnic areas, we took a self-guided driving tour of the cabin and camping area. The lakeside cabins are nice, secluded, and cozy. We'd definitely like to come back and rent a cabin by the lake on a cool fall afternoon.

 The park consists of 1,165 acres, 19 cabins, group lodging barracks, 140 campsites with water and electric, 15 tent sites with water, primitive camping area, 4 picnic shelters, laundry, camp store, fishing pier, swimming area, playground, and more.

Rating: *****
Entrance fee: $5 each
Restrooms: clean, small stalls at camp store
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: available
Trails: Western trail head for the Foothills Trail

Park Stamp: box outside camp store

Stamp #12: Barnwell State Park

Barnwell State Park is about a 3-hour drive from my house and is located near the small town of Blackville, SC. This park can be found in one of the most rural areas of South Carolina. If you go, be sure to pack lunch and a cooler of drinks. There are very little options in this area.

Barnwell State Park is one of the smaller SC state parks with 307 acres. There are 5 cabins, 17 campsites with water and electric, 1 primitive group campsite, 4 picnic shelters, 3 small lakes, a fishing pier, a playground, and a hiking trail.




When we visited on a Sunday in the middle of July, the park was nearly deserted. The lake was full of algae. The boats and kayaks sitting near the lake also contained algae and seemed neglected. We walked a short trail to a fishing pond and passed by the cabins. Only a few of the cabins were occupied.

If you're looking for a rural place to fish, this is the state park for you. The park contains three small lakes that host a large population of crappie, bream, bass, and catfish. Otherwise, because of it's rural location, it's probably a state park the locals enjoy.

Nearby, outside the park, is God's Acre Healing Springs. This is a neat attraction that was full of visitors. Apparently, the land owner deeded the property to God for use by the people. The natural spring water has a reputation of having healing properties. Many people were visiting the spring to fill up numerous water containers. We chatted with a few locals while filling our water bottles, then headed home.

Rating: **
Entrance fee: none
Restrooms: clean, dated
Parking: plentiful
Rangers: available
Trails: nature trail around lake

Amenities: nature trail, camping, primitive camping area, picnic shelters, cabins, lake fishing pier 
Park Stamp: found at office window in box to left