Lee State Park

One of the 16 CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) parks in the state, Lee State Park was built in 1935 by the CCC in order to provide riverside recreational opportunities for the residents of Lee County, South Carolina. Admission is free (but donations are accepted) and the day-use area, trails and Loop Road are open daily from 9:00 AM to sunset. Due to Covid-19, masks must be worn inside all buildings and restrooms.

Along the Lynches River (which runs through Lee County, South Carolina and is partially protected from development by the state of South Carolina), kayaking and canoeing trips can be taken through the park’s hardwood forest floodplain. Fishing may also be enjoyed from along the banks of the river and children can fish for catfish in the park’s artesian pond.

The park’s rich diversity of natural habitats and wildlife make it an ideal setting for nature walks and the
interpretive, educational programs hosted on-site. Equestrian facilities are also available. Lee State Park is one
of the shrinking number of CCC parks with surviving structures that display the classic Conservation Corps architecture.

Lee State Park is bottomland hardwood forest wetlands that make up the majority of Lee’s 2,839 acres. Over
700 acres are enrolled in the USDA NRCS’s Wetland Reserve Program. This is an agreement with the Federal
Government that these wetlands will remain wetlands for perpetuity.

See the November 2020 newsletter for details and maps on the trail options.

Directions:
Lee State Park
487 Loop Road
Bishopville, SC

Park Entrance: .Latitude 34.20454, Longitude -80.17498
Loop Road Crossroads: .Latitude 34.19642, Longitude -80.18578
Park Office Parking Lot: Latitude 34.19552, Longitude -80.18227

From I-20, use exit 123 (Lee State Park Road, SC 22):
Turn North onto Lee State Park Road. After 1 mile, turn left into the park entrance and onto Loop Road. Follow Loop Road for 0.9 mile to the crossroads intersection stop sign. Turn left, South-southeast, and follow the road for about 0.1 mile.

Our meeting location will be on the far (east) side of the parking oval toward the ponds.

Dinner:
Due to the lack of a viable restaurant option near the park, there will not be a group dinner on this trip. Please plan accordingly.