Santee is a quiet, nature-filled town in southeastern South Carolina, about an hour northwest of Charleston. It’s best known for Lake Marion, the largest inland lake in the state, and a hot spot for fishing, boating, and birdwatching. It also happens to be a great place for RVers, especially if you're looking to relax, unplug, and soak up some southern charm. We spent a peaceful week here and definitely felt the friendly vibe and warm hospitality throughout town.
We camped at Santee Lakes KOA for a full week and truly enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere. As we drove through the campground, we were surrounded by tall trees draped in Spanish moss — it felt like an enchanted forest. I had never seen those trees in person before and couldn’t stop staring at them.
The campground sits right on Lake Marion, just off I-95. There’s a sandy beach area that's decent in size, and while I opted not to swim (I don’t usually jump into unfamiliar lakes), we spent plenty of time lounging in the sun. A boardwalk runs alongside the water, and it quickly became our go-to evening spot for watching sunsets — and wow, we caught a few stunners.
At the front office, there’s a Hunt Brothers Pizza location (they also serve wings!). It’s a chain, but the pizza hit the spot. Just across the drive, there’s a free mini-golf course, plus a basketball court, horseshoes, volleyball, and even a boat launch. However, the pool area left a lot to be desired — the hot tub water looked greenish, and the pool bottom was peeling. We decided to skip that part.
On the plus side, the laundry building and bathrooms were clean and well-maintained. We appreciated having access to those during the week.The main office upfront has a pizza place called Hunt Brothers Pizza. They serve wings too! It is a chain pizza restaurant but it was a good average pizza. There is a miniature golf course across the driveway in front of the office. I do believe it is free. They also have a basketball court, horse shoes, volleyball on the beach, and a boat launch. I do have to say the pool area was not very inviting. The hot tub water looked green in color. The pool also looked like it needed some updating and repairs. The bottom looked like it was peeling. Needless to say, we did not use the pool area. There is a laundry building located in the middle of the park. The facility was clean. The bathrooms were clean and had a few showers in there.
1. Santee State Park
Although the park office had closed by the time we arrived (they shut down around 4:30 PM), we still took a beautiful drive through the forest and Spanish moss-covered roads to check it out. The park has its own campground, and from what we could see, it wasn’t too crowded. If you arrive earlier, it’s worth a proper visit.
2. National Wildlife Refuge
This was one of our favorite spots. There are several hiking trails here, surrounded by untouched nature and local wildlife. We were hoping for an alligator sighting — no luck this time, but it was still a great hike. The refuge is also home to Native American burial mounds, which was unexpected and fascinating. We learned that Santee was named after the Santee Indians, who have lived in the region since around 1600 AD. We even saw signs posted around Lake Marion warning against dredging due to Indian artifacts.
3. Smith’s Super Store
This place is a must-stop for chocolate lovers. Their homemade fudge is dangerously good — especially the turtle fudge and cookies. I’m not sure what they put in it, but it’s ridiculously addictive. They also have a fun gift shop and a full-service gas station, perfect for RVers needing a snack and a refill.
1. Bojangles
We were super excited to try their chicken for the first time. Being from the north, we were raised on Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). We both love some fried chicken, so of course we had to try it. And it did not disappoint! The chicken was lightly coated and crisp. I am guessing they use buttermilk in their recipe. The beans were more like pinto beans in light tomato sauce than the traditional barbecue baked beans we normally have to eat here. They were still good though.
2. Lone Star BBQ Tavern and Grille
We were really looking forward to having some real southern BBQ while we were here. But unfortunately they are closed during the week and only open on specific times on the weekend. I still had to mention this place because it sounds like some real southern BBQ. Plus I had to mention it because we need you to try it for us and let us know how good it is!
If you’re planning a relaxing RV trip in South Carolina, Santee should be on your list. Between Lake Marion, the peaceful natural setting, the KOA amenities, and a few hidden gems like Smith’s Super Store, it’s a great spot to unwind for a few days or even longer. Just don’t forget the bug spray — and maybe skip the hot tub. 😉
