02 May 2021

On our way to Florida, we planned an easy and familiar destination, just four hours south.

Leaving home a little after nine, by noon we had pulled over into a parking lot at Robeson Community College to make lunch. Classes weren’t in session, so we had no competition for a spot in the shade of a big old tree.

A little after 3 pm we had this view of Lake Marion from our window.

 

Santee SC State Park has two campgrounds; Cypress View and Lakeshore. We booked Site 39 in Cypress View for $37.80 including the reservation fee.

Lakeshore Campground with a dirt access road, has 108 sites, compared to only 50 in Cypress View.  There is more to do in Cypress View and less dust, so we always try there first.

Trails around the lake show the amount of erosion. Trees develop interesting route systems to hang onto the hillside.

Fishing is a prime activity here. A bait shack, protected boat launch, and lots of trailer parking provide easy access.

There are also interesting rental cabins perched over the water on stilts. Each pier cabin has an attached boat dock.

Not all of the lake shore has cliffs. This sandy beach is between the campground and the boat launch.

Santee State Park is one of our favorite overnight stops between Florida and North Carolina.  It is only about 6 miles from I-95 (one of our least favorite roads) at exit 98.

Leave a comment below recommending your favorite campground in the I-95 corridor.