Hike Santee National Wildlife Refuge

From Columbia SC, take I-26 South towards Orangeburg. Stay on this road for 31.5 miles and then take exit 136 to merge onto SC-6 E towards St. Matthews. Continue about 34 miles until you enter the town of Santee. Turn left onto I-95 Northbound and continue another 3 miles. You will see a large wooden sign on the lefthand side of the road, take this left onto Fort Watson Rd. Follow this road all the way through until you hit the traffic circle, and then park. 

From the parking lot walk towards the gravel road with the metal gate across it. You will see a small wooden sign saying "Wrights Bluff Nature Trail." Follow this single track trail through the hardwood swamp to cross over two boardwalks, with one giving you a telescopic view out over the marsh. Walk slowly as you have the opportunity to see birds like the Painted Bunting (during certain months of the year) or the awe-inspiring American Alligator. There is also a raised viewing platform which you can climb to get a great view out of the larger, unforested marsh where you may see larger predatory birds like Snowy Egrets, and Great Blue Herons. 

Once you finish the one mile loop, follow the gravel footpath 50 yards to the right to the front of the Fort Watson/ Indian Mound site. This is an incredible mound that is still in tact that dates back to around 1000 AD. This mound is an important piece of Native American heritage and has relics buried inside. However, during the revolutionary war, the mound was taken over by the British Army and a fort was built on top. The fort was later deconstructed but the mound is now protected, and a wooden staircase lets you climb to the top and view out over Lake Marion, just as the Native Americans and the British Army infantry would have years ago.