Santee State Park

Camping Information: The 50-site Cypress View Campground sits on the west side of the park. The Lakeshore Campground, with 108 sites, is located on the east side of the park. Each site is packed sand and has individual water and electrical hookups and a picnic table. Both campgrounds are convenient to restroom facilities with hot showers. Many sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet.

Standard Sites with Elec. & Water: 146 sites

50 Amp Service Sites: 48 sites

Designated Tent Sites: 10 tent sites

Primitive Group Area: A primitive group camping area is ideal for organized groups up to 100 people. (An organized group is defined as a group that holds regular meetings and has a lead officer or elected/appointed officials.) The area includes central water and is located near restoom facilities. Reservations are accepted.

To make a primitive group camping reservation, contact the park directly. Minimum rate is $10 -12.50 which allows up to ten campers. The rate increases by $5-6.50 increments for each additional five campers.

Click here to download the Santee State Park trail map.

Hiking/Biking Trail

Length: 7.5 mile loop

Type: Hiking and Mountain Biking Trail

Difficulty: Moderate due to length

Description: 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 offshoot 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.

Limestone Nature Trail

Length: .75 mile loop

Type: Hiking Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Description: Tucked away within Santee State Park, this easy, one-mile loop trail starts at a pavilion and guides you through a heavily wooded area near the swimming area. The thick forest cover and terrain of this scenic, twisting trail may make you feel like you're in the mountains. Follow the white blazes and take time to enjoy the wildflowers, buckeye, papaw, and wildlife including deer, rabbits, and snakes.

Hike the Limestone Nature Trail with Ranger Terry:

Oak Pinolly Trail

Length: .75 mile loop

Type: Hiking Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Description: Starting from behind picnic shelter one, this is an easy to walk and easy to follow yellow blazed loop trail of one mile. In a nice touch, however, it maintains a remote feel despite crossing directly through the park’s most heavily used area. Basically an out-and-back trail, the Oak Pinolly Nature Trail has a small loop at the far end that’s a great area to spot deer. One point midway through the trail brims with switchcanes, ostrich ferns, and wild azaleas.

Sinkhole Pond Trail

Length: .75 mile loop

Type: Hiking Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Description: From the parking area, you will walk through a varied habitat, from a pine forest, to a swampy area, then to a near-desert area around the highlight of this trail, a limestone sinkhole pond. During dry periods you may not see a defined pond, but during wet periods you may see two ponds. You will find an interesting educational sign at the pond, which explains the formation of sinkholes in the area. There are deer trails and random footpaths, including a shortcut through thick brush back to the parking area, but stay on the main trail.

White Trail

Length: .19 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Description: The white trail is approximately 1.5 miles from the beginning of the trail head on the west side of park.

Red Trail

Length: .33 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Description: The red trail is 1.5 miles from the beginning of the trail head on the east side of the park.