Palmetto Trail
Telephone: (803) 854-2408
Website: www.palmettoconservation.org
Email: tchinn@palmettoconservation.org

For those who really love to hike or bike, try the Palmetto Trail. Six passages of the trail run right through Santee Cooper Country from the coast just north of Awendaw to Manchester Forest in Sumter County. The passages are; Swamp Fox, Lake Moultrie, Eutaw Springs, Santee, Lake Marion, and High Hills of Santee. The Palmetto Trail will eventually go all the way to North Carolina. Along the trail, at designated spots, primitive camping is allowed.

Santee South Carolina State Park
Telephone: 1-800-227-8510 outside SC or in SC (803) 854-2131
Website: www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/535.aspx

Located in the heart of Santee-Cooper Country with convenient access from two interstate highways, this 2,496-acre park offers land and pier-based cabins, as well as two lakefront camping areas. A sportsman's paradise, this park is known for its catfish, largemouth and striped bass fishing, and is the site of numerous fishing tournaments. The Village Round meeting building is ideal for group functions.

State Park Wildlife Calendar
This calendar is meant to provide visitors with a general guide to seasonal wildlife events. Weather may cause slight variations. The best times to observe wildlife are generally early morning and late afternoon.

JANUARY: Waterfowl concentrations peak with Canada geese abundant on wheat fields and ducks and coots in the impoundments and bays. "Winter" sparrows, juncos and finches are here in good numbers for the winter. Striped bass are schooling.

FEBRUARY: Waterfowl numbers begin to drop with shovelers becoming prevalent. Crappie begin to move into the creeks. Wood ducks, purple martins and bluebirds are beginning to look over the nesting boxes.

MARCH: Raptors are plentiful. Alligators may be seen sunning on canal and pond edges. Largemouth bass begin to move into the shallows.

APRIL: Butterflies and dragonflies are everywhere. Buntings, orioles, tanagers, vireos and blue grosbeaks have returned and warblers are migrating. Productive fishing for most species.

MAY: Spring migration continues. Nesting activities are evident. Excellent fishing all species.

JUNE: Fish begin to seek out cooler waters. White bass begin schooling.

JULY: Shorebirds begin to return from their nesting grounds and can be seen on pond and lake edges. Young of the year are out practicing their skills and learning to survive. Bass, crappie and catfish have moved to deep water.

AUGUST: Summer warblers begin to migrate south. Redbugs, biting flies and mosquitoes are voracious.

SEPTEMBER: Fall songbird migration peaks. Terns are leaving as kestrels, blue-winged teal and gulls are arriving.

OCTOBER: Raptors, cormorants, white-throated and song sparrows, and waterfowl are arriving in numbers. Ruby-crowned kinglets and yellow-rumped warblers are prevalent. Catfishing is excellent.

NOVEMBER: Bald eagles are frequently sighted around waterfowl concentrations. Striped bass are schooling.

DECEMBER: Large concentrations of waterfowl. Whistling swans may be observed on Bluff Unit. Excellent fishing for largemouth bass, striped bass and catfish.

Canoe, Kayak and Jet Ski Rentals

• Woods Bay State Park - Olanta (843) 659-4445 Canoes -$3 - $12

• Francis Beidler Forest - Harleyville - (843) 462-2150 Canoes $10-$20

• Old Santee Canal Park - Moncks Corner - (843) 899-5405 Canoes $3/1/2 hr.

• Lakeside Marina & Resort - Eutawville (803) 492-7226 Jet ski $250 all day, Canoe/Kayak $20-$35/day

• Scarborough’s Marina, Summerton (803) 478-2184 Jet Skis $65/Hr.

• Pete’s Lighthouse Marina, Bonneau Beach (843) 825-6205 - Jet Ski $35/hr.