This was my second time to attend the Santee Birding Festival and this year we picked up registration packets at the Wildlife Refuge office. The staff is wonderful, knowledgeable, helpful. It was a wonderful introduction to an excellent festival.
While traveling on I95 we stopped at Santee Wildlife Refuge to stretch our legs, and within minutes we found ourselves in a wonderful wild place. We climbed the Indian mound and hiked the two trails closest to the highway--Wrights Bluff, and Dingle Pond--both of which include beautiful cypress swamps. This took us a little longer than two hours. While hiking we saw a snake, a turtle, a large owl, great blue herons, a wood duck, mallards, geese, as well as more small birds than we could name or count. The staff at the visitor center was wonderful: friendly and helpful. Next time we're passing by we'll definitely visit again. Very highly recommended.
We hiked the 7.5 miles around the park and we were not at all disappointed. I would highly recommend being prepared for ticks. We had to scan eachother about every half hour or so as we forgot bug deterrent.
The Santee National Wildlife Refuge has something for everyone, young and old. The Refuge is divided into 4 distinct areas. There are hiking and bicycling trails as well as canoe and kayaking areas. You can fish, view the many birds, animals and reptiles who call the Refuge home or just pass through. There are hundreds of bird and waterfowl species, including eagles, osprey, herons and wood ducks. Some of the other species who call the Refuge home are deer, pigs, turkeys and the largest alligators I've ever seen. There is a nice visitors center. If you are not an outdoors person, you can drive through 2 of the units.
In addition, there is an old Indian Mound near the visitors center.
The Refuge is one of our favorite places to visit. We often take friends there. You will not be disappointed.
This is a great reserve with many trails to walk. You can see gators, snakes birds and other great animals. There is a really good visitors center with friendly staff. The reason I went=the Santee Indian mound. Constructed sometime between 1200 to 1400 AD, and also serving as British Fort Watson during the Revolutionary War, it still stands and looks great. you can take steps to the top for a great view of Lake Marion. The reserve is right next to I-95. you can't see it, and it's FREE!! Go take your family for some graet nature walks, learn history and have a picnic! Enjoy, i did!!
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