After entering the refuge you can tour by car on two one-way loops, or park at the canoe launch area expand your tour on two easy walking dirt trails. You can walk in either direction, out and back, or as loops using sections of the driving trail. As you walk, take time to enjoy the wide variety of wildlife that inhabit the varied landscape of Santee. During the winter months, the threatened bald eagle and occasionally the endangered peregrine falcon can be seen. From November through February migrating waterfowl such as mallards, pintails, teal and wood ducks along with Canada geese are a major attraction. Throughout the year red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks can be viewed soaring overhead, as can a variety of songbirds in the trees, and wild turkey. The forest also provides a home for white-tailed deer and other woodland creatures such as raccoons, squirrels and bobcats. The ponds and marshes provide a home for alligators plus a number of other reptiles and amphibians.

The refuge is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. October through February and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. April through September. The visitors drive is closed EVERY Saturday. Insect repellent is recommended during most of the year. 

Check the Santee National Wildlife Refuge website to plan your visit.

From Exit 115 on I-95 between Summerton and Manning, drive southwest on US 301 (Toward Summerton) for 1.1 miles and turn left onto Clarendon County S-14-14. Drive 3.3 miles to Davis Station Crossroad, turn right then left onto S-14-64. Drive 4.9 miles and turn right onto S-14-260. The entrance to the refuge is approximately 2.0 miles on the right.