Discover Clarendon: Nature, Lake Marion and History

Lake Marion, a wildlife refuge and sites connected to Revolutionary history shape Clarendon’s travel appeal. The lake is in Clarendon County; the Santee National Wildlife Refuge is on its north shore. There, you can fish at Lake Marion from the shore or a boat. Trails and historic sites also offer different ways to spend your stay—from wildlife watching and outdoor activity to regional history.

Nature and trails around Lake Marion

The Dingle Pond Unit of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge consists primarily of a 420-acre Carolina Bay and is designated as a natural area for public use. Those interested in landscapes and conservation will find a tangible example of Clarendon’s natural side here. The Lake Marion Passage offers a different kind of exploration: this 34.5-mile trail runs along the high-water mark on the north side of the lake, between Santee and Mill Creek County Park. It is rated moderate, and camping is allowed along the trail.

The 36-acre Taw Caw Park on Taw Caw Creek, at Lake Marion, features fishing piers, a boat ramp and a boardwalk, as well as picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills and a playground. The Pocotaligo Nature Walk, by contrast, follows an approximately one-mile boardwalk through Pocotaligo Swamp. Its amenities also include a historic interpretive marker, a picnic area and a covered area. The comparison highlights the short boardwalk through the swamp and the considerably longer Lake Marion Passage; these figures help put the lengths of the two routes in perspective, but do not indicate walking times.

Revolutionary history and murals

The Santee Indian Mound-Fort Watson historic site brings together archaeology and Revolutionary War history. It is home to a mound more than 1,200 years old. During the war, a British garrison was stationed at this location and was later captured by American troops under General Francis Marion. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic interpretive markers at Fort Watson explain the battle and the use of siege towers during the American Revolution.

Another connection to Francis Marion is the Battle of Nelson’s Ferry, associated with Marion’s rescue of 150 prisoners in August 1780. In Summerton, six of the more than 20 murals on the Swamp Fox Trail in Clarendon County tell of the general’s clashes with the British in 1780–1781. Each mural depicts a story from the American Revolution during the Southern Campaigns. Together, the historic sites and murals offer different ways to explore the same era: the sites themselves, their on-site interpretive information and the storytelling in public spaces.

Places, events and golf

The Manning Commercial Historic District is architecturally significant as an intact group of buildings. The buildings are associated with Manning’s administrative and commercial growth as the seat of Clarendon County from around 1890 to 1958. The annual Striped Bass Festival in downtown Manning offers another reason to visit. The program includes a parade, amusement rides, vendor booths and a street dance. Since specific festival dates are not provided, it is a good idea to check the schedule when planning your trip.

The Weldon Auditorium hosts musical and theatrical performances. Golf enthusiasts can distinguish between two offerings in Clarendon: the Players Course at Wyboo is an 18-hole golf course on the shores of Lake Marion, while Wyboo Golf Club is a Tom Jackson Signature Course. Nature, history, events and golf offer different potential focuses for a stay, without any one activity defining the trip.

Plan your stay in Clarendon

When looking for a hotel in Clarendon, start by deciding what brings you to the area: are you most interested in nature at Lake Marion, Revolutionary history, a festival or golf? If a festival or performance is part of your trip, check the relevant dates before setting your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Manning, Summerton, Bamberg County, Cherokee County, Pickens County, Horry, Beaufort, Florence.

For the broader travel overview: South Carolina.