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Lake Marion

Santee, South Carolina — Clarendon County.

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80,198Surface acres
27Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 149801965, 3 mapped parts).

Location & fast facts

Where Lake Marion is in South Carolina

The red circle marks Lake Marion.

Fast facts

About Lake Marion

  • Counties: Clarendon, Orangeburg, Berkeley, Calhoun
  • City or town on the shore: Santee
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 43 mi from Columbia and 63 mi from Charleston, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (South Carolina: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).

Fishing in South Carolina

Official SCDNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 27 public trailer launches listed (see access)
  • Swimming. 1 public beach or swim spot on the map (details)
  • Camping. 12 campgrounds within 15 mi, 5 on the shore (list)

Watch for

  • Non-native/invasive species. Eurasian watermilfoil, Whorled hydrilla and Giant salvinia recorded. Clean, drain and dry your boat and gear.
  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.
  • No lifeguard listed. None of our sources lists a staffed lifeguard. Swim at your own risk and watch children closely.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Lake map

Lake Marion shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Santee Lakes Campground (campground)Cypress View Campground (campground)Polly's Landing Campground (campground)Rocks Pond Campground (campground)Taw Caw Campground and Marina (campground)Hill's Landing & RV Park (campground)Boat ramp (Boat launch)1Boat ramp (Boat launch)2Boat ramp (Boat launch)3Boat ramp (Boat launch)4Boat ramp (Boat launch)5Boat ramp (Boat launch)6Boat ramp (Boat launch)7Boat ramp (Boat launch)8Boat ramp (Boat launch)9Boat ramp (Boat launch)10Boat ramp (Boat launch)11Boat ramp (Boat launch)12Boat ramp (Boat launch)13Boat ramp (Boat launch)14Boat ramp (Boat launch)15Boat ramp (Boat launch)16Boat ramp (Boat launch)17Boat ramp (Boat launch)18Boat ramp (Boat launch)19Boat ramp (Boat launch)20Boat ramp (Boat launch)21Boat ramp (Boat launch)22Boat ramp (Boat launch)23Boat ramp (Boat launch)24Low Falls Landing (Boat launch)25boat launch (Boat launch)26boat launch (Boat launch)27Redbank Park Beach (Beach)281 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launchBeach Campground
  1. 1Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  2. 2Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  3. 3Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  4. 4Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  5. 5Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  6. 6Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  7. 7Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  8. 8Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  9. 9Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  10. 10Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  11. 11Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  12. 12Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  13. 13Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  14. 14Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  15. 15Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  16. 16Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  17. 17Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  18. 18Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  19. 19Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  20. 20Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  21. 21Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  22. 22Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  23. 23Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  24. 24Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  25. 25Low Falls Landing
    Boat launch
  26. 26boat launch
    Boat launch
  27. 27boat launch
    Boat launch
  28. 28Redbank Park Beach
    Beach

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 149801965, plus 2 more mapped parts), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Lake Marion

We found 12 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Lake Marion, 9 of them within 5 miles. 5 are right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

6 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in South Carolina

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Nearest airports

The closest airport with scheduled passenger flights to Lake Marion, plus larger airports within about 150 miles:

Car rental links go to our partner Discover Cars; LakeRipple may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Airports with scheduled airline service from OurAirports (large and medium airports); larger airports are FAA large, medium and small hubs by FAA CY2025 enplanements ("major airport" = FAA large hub). Distances are straight-line from the lake's center, not driving distance; road routes are longer.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (33.5613, -80.4935). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Lake Marion. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Lake Marion

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in ET (America/New_York), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    27 public access sites listed, 27 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5666, -80.4379
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.6592, -80.5151
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5587, -80.2040
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5332, -80.2704
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5215, -80.3059
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5791, -80.5316
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5514, -80.5095
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.4988, -80.4595
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5339, -80.3310
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.3924, -80.1494
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.4039, -80.2334
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.4122, -80.1511
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5256, -80.2018
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5338, -80.2660
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5231, -80.4376
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5732, -80.4389
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5432, -80.5061
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5521, -80.5089
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.4305, -80.2809
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.4089, -80.2998
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.3958, -80.1973
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.4160, -80.3224
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.4108, -80.3100
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.4321, -80.3645
    Low Falls Landing——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.6324, -80.5432
    boat launch——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5131, -80.4745
    boat launch——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating33.5521, -80.5015

    OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Public beaches

    On OpenStreetMap: 1 beach or swimming spot on the shore of Lake Marion not marked private, residents-only or members-only.

    BeachTypeAccessDirections
    Redbank Park BeachBeachAccess not tagged; check posted rulesGet directions

    Beaches: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), within about 150 m (500 ft) of the lake outline. A mapped beach is not a guarantee that swimming is allowed, supervised or safe; some town beaches need a resident sticker even when the map doesn't say so. Check posted rules and water-quality advisories before you swim.

    Non-native/invasive species

    Reported on or near Lake Marion

    Clean, Drain, Dry. Remove plants and mud, drain all water, and dry your boat, trailer and gear before moving to another water.

    USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database

    USGS records matched to this water by location (within about 150 m of the outline) or by the place name in the record. A record shows a sighting was reported; it doesn't prove the species is still there. As of Oct 10, 2026.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Lake Marion

    How big is Lake Marion?

    Lake Marion covers about 80,198 acres in Santee, South Carolina (Clarendon County).

    Is there a public boat launch on Lake Marion?

    Yes. 27 public trailer launches are listed: boat launch, Low Falls Landing and Boat ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Can you swim in Lake Marion?

    OpenStreetMap shows 1 public beach or swimming spot on the shore. None of our sources lists a lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and follow posted rules.

    Are there campgrounds near Lake Marion?

    Yes. We list 12 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 9 of them within 5 miles.

    What towns are on Lake Marion?

    Lake Marion touches Santee in Clarendon County, Orangeburg County, Berkeley County and Calhoun County, South Carolina.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Lake Marion? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All South Carolina lakes & ponds · All waters in Santee