A Senior-Friendly Home Base for South Carolina Exploration?
Are you a senior traveler looking for a comfortable and convenient place to park your RV or set up your tent while exploring the beautiful Santee Lakes region of South Carolina? On my recent journey, I stayed in a tent site at the Santee/Santee Lakes KOA Journey, and I am going to share my detailed experience with you, keeping in mind the factors that matter most to senior travelers.
RV Sites, Cabins, or Tent Sites
The Santee/Santee Lakes KOA Journey offers a few different lodging options. RV sites, cabins, and tent sites. Its location is a major draw, providing easy access to the scenic Santee Lakes, which consist of Lake Marion & Lake Moultrie, known for their excellent fishing, birdwatching, and peaceful natural beauty.
Just Off I-95
The Santee KOA Journey is conveniently located just off Interstate 95, making it a great stop for road trippers and RVers heading north or south. It’s only a few minutes from Santee State Park and sits on Lake Marion, South Carolina’s largest lake. That means opportunities for fishing, boating, birdwatching, and gentle lakeside strolls are all close by.
Pricing
Pricing at the Santee/Santee Lakes KOA Journey is typical KOA pricing, which means it’s a little higher than most other campgrounds. I am a KOA rewards member, so I get 10% off each stay and also earn points, which helps. At the time of this blog post, the pricing is as follows:
RV Sites:
Pull Thru 30 amp with water/electric/no sewer =$67.25 per night
Pull Thru 50/30 amp with water/electric/sewer =$78.25 per night
Pull Thru 50/30 amp with water & electric/no sewer =$68.25 per night
Back in 50/30 amps with full hook-ups under 27 feet =$70.25 per night
Deluxe Cabins: $196.50 per night
Tent Site on the grass with no hook-ups =$39.75 per night
Tent Sites on the grass with water & electric =$44 per night
*** Note*** Pricing is current at the time of this post. Always check the website for the most current pricing, specials, and announcements before planning a trip. I will post the website link at the end of this post for your convenience.
Amenities
The amenities at this KOA are plentiful and cater to a wide range of needs. For those with RVs, the sites are generally level and offer water, electric, and sewer hookups. While walking around the park, I noticed some RVs looked like they had some difficulty leveling on their site. Typically, KOA has clean restrooms and showers (more on this later), laundry facilities, and a camp store for essentials. For recreation, there’s a swimming pool (seasonal), a playground for the grandkids if they visit, and often planned activities. There is a designated dog park, which is a great space for our furry travel companions to stretch their legs.
Handicapped Accessibility
Handicap accessibility is an important consideration for many senior travelers. While I observed some paved pathways and relatively level ground in certain areas, it’s always best to call ahead and inquire specifically about the accessibility features of the RV sites or tent sites you are interested in. The handicapped stall in the bathhouse near our tent site was out of order. The showers did not look very handicapped friendly to me at all. The staff seemed willing to assist with any specific needs.
Cleanliness
Cleanliness. Although the campground was generally well-kept, there were a few concerns for me. One such concern was that they had streetlights in the trees. Some of these lights had the wires in conduit, but some had the wires just going up the tree. Another concern was the restrooms and showers were clean, but extremely dated, and the shower curtains were moldy. I feel like it does not take much to either throw the curtains in the washing machine or replace them.
Internet
Internet availability is almost a necessity for staying connected on the road. The Santee/Santee Lakes KOA Journey offered Wi-Fi, although the strength and reliability could vary depending on your location within the campground. While it was sufficient for basic email and light browsing, it might not be ideal for heavy streaming or video calls. Mine worked ok, but all I did was check email.
Employee Attitudes
Finally, the employee attitudes I encountered were overwhelmingly positive. The staff were friendly, helpful, and readily available to answer questions or address any concerns. Their welcoming demeanor truly enhanced the overall experience.
Case in Point. The original tent site they gave us was a mess. We were told by the escort that we could take 2 sites because the electricity was not working. The picnic table was broken, and one side was being held up by a large rock. There were also tons of large roots, which are not good to have under your tent. When I went up to the office to ask for another site, they were very apologetic and gave me a site that was much nicer. Now that’s good customer service.
Pros:
- Excellent Location: Easy access to Santee Lakes and I-95 for regional exploration. I visited Santee State Park, which was about 10 minutes away. Click here to see my post on Santee State Park
- Variety of Accommodation: Offers RV, cabin, and tent sites.
- Good Amenities: Includes mostly clean facilities, laundry, pool, playground, and dog park.
- Reasonable Pricing: Competitive rates for the area with potential KOA discounts.
- Friendly and Helpful Staff: Positive interactions with employees.
- Clean and Well-Maintained Grounds: Attention to cleanliness throughout most of the park.
- Pizza & Wings: They have pizza and wings that you can order, and they will bring them to your site.
- Delivery: They will deliver food, firewood, and ice to your site for no extra charge
- Quietness: This KOA was very quiet. I got a great sleep in my tent
- Lake Views: This KOA sits on Lake Marion. It offers fishing and even has a boat ramp where you can launch your boat. They have Adirondack-style chairs set up on the beachfront for you to enjoy the sun and water. It also offers awesome sunsets.
Cons:
- Variable Wi-Fi: Internet strength and reliability may fluctuate.
- Handicap Accessibility: While some features exist, it’s best to confirm specific needs with management. The showers were not handicapped friendly. The handicapped stall in the bathhouse by my tent site was out of order.
- Street Lighting: Some of the park lighting had wires that were not in conduit from the ground up to the light.
- Shower Curtains: The shower curtains were moldy
Final Thoughts
The Santee/Santee Lakes KOA Journey could be a solid option for senior travelers exploring the Santee region of South Carolina. If you have mobility issues, you will need to camp here in your RV, as the bathrooms cannot be relied upon. It is a convenient location, has a range of amenities, and friendly staff contribute to a comfortable and enjoyable stay. While the Wi-Fi could be more consistent, and it’s essential to inquire about specific handicap accessibility needs, the overall positive aspects make this KOA a worthwhile consideration for your next adventure. It provided a reliable, quiet, and welcoming home base, allowing you to focus on enjoying the natural beauty and attractions of South Carolina.
To check out my YouTube video of Santee/Santee Lakes KOA, use the link below
Santee/Santee Lakes KOA Journey Video
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