This 33-mile passage of the Palmetto Trail skirts along the high water mark of the north side of Lake Marion. Trail users will enjoy some of the most magnificent vistas in the coastal plain with opportunities to spot abundant wildlife and colorful flora. The Lake Marion Passage is marked with orange blazes from Mill Creek County Park to Sparkleberry Landing, with the remainder being marked by yellow blazes. Much of the land along the trail is open for hunting and users should wear bright colors during big game hunting seasons, which is from the middle of August to January. Because of the trail’s proximity to Lake Marion some sections may be flooded during the wet season. However, these wet conditions add to the beauty of the area with a profusion of wildflowers. Almost year-round the pink, yellow, and blue colors will thrill you with their beauty.

Length: 33.6 miles
Use: Hiking and Mountain Biking
Difficulty: Moderate
Fees: None

Directions: See page 2 of the map pdf.

Camping: Arbuckle’s Landing is a commercial campground just off Scotts Lake Road on the north side of Lake Marion (803) 478-5269. Jacks Creek Marina offers commercial tent camping sites overlooking the lake (803) 478-2793. Mill Creek County Park (803) 436-2248

Additional Information:
Manchester State Forest, 7640 Headquarters Road, Wedgefield, SC 29168, (803) 494-8196
Mill Creek County Park, 7975 Millford Plantation Road, Pinewood, SC 29125, (803) 436-2248 Santee Cooper Land Division, One Riverwood Drive, Moncks Corner, SC 29461, (843) 761-8000
Santee National Wildlife Refuge, 2125 Ft Watson Rd., Summerton, SC 29148,
(803) 478-2217


This Passage is divided into 3 section maps. Click below to download individual pdfs.

Section 1 Santee to Jack's Creek Marina
Section 2 Jack's Creek Marina to Halfway Swamp
Section 3 Halfway Swamp to Mill Creek County Park