Exploring the Scenic Old 301 Santee Walking Bridge: A Hidden Gem on the Palmetto Trail - Lake Marion Passage, SC

Have you walked the Old 301 Santee Walking Bridge? This trail has been on my hiking list since it opened in 2023 as part of the Palmetto Trail, Lake Marion Passage. On Sunday, December 10th, 2024, my friend and I decided to hike the first couple of miles of the Lake Marion Passage. This section, 1 of the 33.9-mile passage, offers expansive views of South Carolina’s scenic Lake Marion. It was a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon outdoors, and the weather couldn’t have been better. Clouds provided much-needed shade as we walked the exposed Old 301 Santee Walking Bridge.

The Trail and Its Accessibility
We started our hike at the parking area on Bass Dr., near the Santee Welcome Center, and headed towards the Palmetto Trail parking area in Summerton, located on State Road S14-230. The route is flat, easy to walk, and features no significant elevation changes, making it accessible to hikers of all levels. Along the way, we were treated to breathtaking views of Lake Marion. The trail was peaceful, allowing us to enjoy the surroundings without distractions.

The parking lot in Summerton has restrooms and picnic tables. We wandered a bit past it to a small beach area with beautiful Cypress trees before driving a couple of miles to visit the Indian Mound at the Santee National Wildlife Refuge nearby. This historic site is a great addition to the hike, offering a glimpse into the area’s rich history.

Best Time to Visit
If you’re considering hiking the Lake Marion Passage, I highly recommend visiting in the fall or on a mild, overcast day. The walk is easy with hardly any elevation, so no need for a hiking stick. However, a hat is necessary, as there is little to no shade along the way.

Old 301 Santee Walking Bridge History

A Historic Structure
The highlight of our hike was the Old 301 Santee Walking Bridge, also known as the Old Bridge. It is a concrete structure built in 1946 to replace a 1927 bridge over the Santee River. The Santee River was dammed in 1940 to create Lake Marion, which now covers 110,000 acres. The original bridge over Lake Marion was closed to vehicular traffic in 1987 and to all traffic in 2017. The bridge was reopened in 2023 as a foot, bicycle, and fishing bridge.

Remnants of the Past
Remnants of the 1927 bridge are still visible and can be seen in the photos below. The newer twin-span William James Gooding Bridge, which carries I-95 over Lake Marion, was completed in 1968. It runs parallel to the Old Bridge and can also be seen in the photos.

The Future
In July 2024, the Federal Highway Administration announced a grant to replace this bridge, along with three other Lake Marion bridges from 1968. The bridge replacement project is slated to begin in summer 2025.

References Lake Marion Passage, section 1 map, Lake Marion Passage, AllTrails, WJ Gooding Bridge, Lake Marion Pedestrian Bridge reopens to the public, Old Santee River Bridge, Bridge replacement announcement, Interstate I-95 bridge replacement project

Photos below were taken on the Palmetto Trail, Lake Marion passage