Come relax and recreate in our many resorts and campgrounds, shop and dine in our charming towns and communities, and enjoy our special South Carolina history, heritage, and hospitality.

Lake Marion, created in the 1930s as part of the Santee Cooper Hydroelectric and Navigation Project, is the largest reservoir lake in South Carolina. It is named for the Revolutionary War General Francis Marion (the “Swamp Fox”), whose homesite was flooded at the lake’s creation.

Primarily in Orangeburg County, Lake Marion covers nearly 110,000 acres of former farmlands, marshes, and river valley landscape. It is fed by many tributaries including Wyboo Creek and the Santee River, and also by numerous springs such as Eutaw Springs.

This lake is known for its big fish, as it holds the state fishing record for largemouth bass (16.2 lbs.). Fishermen also reel in striped bass, white perch, white bass, crappie, channel catfish, Arkansas blue catfish, shellcrackers, bream, and chain ( jack). Along its 315-mile shoreline, you’ll also spot deer, fox, squirrel, turtle, dove, turkey, alligator, and various species of duck, hawk, eagle, egret, and osprey. Public access is provided through several public boat ramps, Santee State Park, and the Santee National Wildlife Refuge.

Lake Marion feeds into Lake Moultrie – the third largest lake in South Carolina, covering more than 60,000 acres – in Berkeley County through the Diversion Canal. This lake is another fisherman’s favorite, offering shallow swamps, black water ponds, thousands of tree stumps and live cypress trees, as well as large open areas of water in which you’ll find huge catfish and black crappie. On the shores of these two lakes are landings, marinas, campgrounds, parks, resorts and fish camps, with a variety of amenities at each facility.

If golf is your game, you’ll be right at home in the Tri-County Region. The 9-hole golf course at The Country Club of St. George, 218 Clubhouse Circle in St. George, has been handsomely refurbished. Call (843) 563-2816 to schedule play.

Holly Hill Golf Course at 9159 Old State Road, Holly Hill, provides a handsome course in a beautiful setting. A semi-private club, Holly Hill does allow the public to enjoy this short, 9-hole course. Call (803) 496-3460.

Lake Marion Golf Course is a 6,670-yard, par 72 layout that features wellmanicured fairways and greens meandering through beautiful pine tree forests. Book your foursome by calling (800) 344-6534.

Santee Cooper Country Club has challenged golfers with its beautiful layout for more than 40 years, playing 6,512 yards from the championship tees with a par of 72. Call (803) 854-2467 to arrange play at this scenic course. Both of these 18-hole courses give golfers glimpses of lovely Lake Marion through the tall pines that rim its shores.

Only about three minutes off Interstate 95, golfers can enjoy a four-star course by Golf Digest’s Places to Play, Santee National Golf Club. The course offers 6,100 yards of Champion® Bermuda greens, Bermuda fairways, and freshly-shaped bunkers. Visit www.santeenational.com or call (800) 448-0152 or (803) 854-3531.

The Tri-County Region is directly in the path – and a significant part – of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, a 320-mile swath of driving tours, historic and cultural sites, and fun stops across 17 counties from the northwest foothills to the port city of Charleston.

The Corridor is divided into four regions; Orangeburg County is in the Rivers, Rails and Crossroads Region while Dorchester and Berkeley counties are in the Lowcountry Region.

Santee State Park 251 State Park Road, Santee SC 29142; (803) 854-2408 I-95/Exit 98 Santee (Take Hwy. 6 west about 1½ miles. Take a right onto State Park Road.) Hike, bike, and explore this 2,500-acre park year round. Visit its nature center, 10 pier-based cabins and 20 lakefront cabins, or sleep under the stars or in your RV in its two lakefront camping areas. This park is known for its catfish, largemouth and striped bass fishing, and is a fishing tournament location.

Lone Star Barbecue & Mercantile is just down State Park Road. It includes a museum and restaurant made of four historic buildings moved to the site without compromise to their antiquity. Lone Star has festivals and events year round. For information, see www.lonestarbbq.net.

Elloree Old Town District and Elloree Heritage Museum & Cultural Center (S.C. National Heritage Corridor) Cleveland Street, Elloree, SC 29047; (803) 897-2821 www.elloreemuseum.org I-95/Exit 98 Santee (Take Hwy. 6 west about 7 miles into Elloree.) The Elloree Old Town District features buildings that date back to the 1900s, antique shops, gift boutiques, an art gallery, arts and craft stores, and restaurants. Visit www.elloreesc.com to find out about festivals, events, and two town parks. The fascinating Elloree Heritage Museum and Cultural Center’s first-rate exhibits depict an exciting and educational view of the Elloree area’s rural past. The museum’s number is (803) 897-2225.

Town of Santee Cultural Arts Center (the renovated Old Parler School-(S.C. National Heritage Corridor) In the Town Complex at 176 Brooks Boulevard, Santee SC 29142; (803) 854-2152 or (866) 272-6833 www.santeetourism.com

I-95/Exit 98 Santee (Take Hwy. 6 west to the first traffic light. Take a left onto Bass Drive. Drive about a mile until you see the Town of Santee Town Complex sign on your left, directly beside the fire department. Take a left by the fire department. Drive about two-tenths of a mile to the Town Complex. Old Parler School, the Cultural Arts Center, will be on your right.

Santee Cooper Country (tourism center/S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 9302 Highway 6, Santee, SC 29142; (803) 854-2131 or (800) 227-8510 www.santeecoopercountry.org I-95/Exit 98 Santee (Take Hwy. 6 east for about one mile and Santee Cooper Country will be a cute country cottage on your right.) This tourism center features a wealth of knowledge about fishing, golfing, camping, boating, and other Santee Cooper lakes area activities and entertainment. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.

Indian Bluff Park (Orangeburg County park) Highway 6, Eutawville SC 29048 I-95/Exit 98 Santee (Take Hwy. 6 from Santee east toward Eutawville for 8.2 miles. Indian Bluff Park will be on your left.) Indian Bluff Park is a public county boat landing and family park featuring boat ramps, fishing pier, picnic tables and grills, sheltered picnic area, children’s play area, restrooms and a bath house, extended boardwalks for nature lovers, and expansive views of Lake Marion. There is no admission charge. Hours: Sunrise to sunset, daily.

The Parish House (historic house/tea room/restaurant/ gift shop -- S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 109 Porcher Avenue Eutawville, SC 29048 (803) 492-7315 www.parishhousetearoom.com I-95/Exit 98 Santee (Hwy. 6 east, 9 miles into Eutawville) The Parish House was built in the mid-1820s in Pineville.

When that village was abandoned in the early 1830s because of fever epidemics, the house was disassembled and moved to Eutawville by mule team. In 1935 the property was donated to The Church of the Epiphany and was long used for church meetings and activities. Currently The Parish House operates as a public tea room and restaurant. Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.

The Historic Church of the Epiphany (S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 211 Epiphany Road, Eutawville SC 29048; (803) 492-7644 www.historicepiphany.org I-95/Exit 98 Santee (Hwy. 6 east, 9 miles into Eutawville) This church in Eutawville was built in 1849 to accommodate the residents of the village who made their summer homes in the cool pine forest of Eutaw. The church is open daily from 8 a.m. until dark, and visitors are welcome. Call (803) 492-7644 to arrange group tours.

Eutaw Springs and Eutaw Springs Battleground I-95/Exit 98 (Hwy. 6 east, 9 miles into Eutawville) Visit the bubbly, clear water at Eutaw Springs. The Battle of Eutaw Springs monument marks the site of the last major American Revolutionary War battle fought in the Carolinas (Sept. 8, 1781). There are hiking trails, as well as access to the Palmetto Trail. Admission is free. The town’s website is www.eutawvillesc.com and phone number is (803) 492-3374. Hours: Daylight hours seven days a week.

The Depot and Holly Hill Community Center (S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 8603 Old State Road, Holly Hill SC 29059; (803) 496-3831 www.tri-crcc.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I-95/Exit 90 (Take Hwy. 176 east, about 7 miles. Highway 176 becomes Old State Road –Holly Hill’s “main street.” The Depot is just past Hardee’s on your left.)

The historic depot was built in 1921 on the site of two previous train depots dating back to 1886, when the Utah Railroad reached Holly Hill. Today, The Depot serves as the Holly Hill office of the Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Holly Hill Visitor and Information Center, and a mini-museum and community center. Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Book the community center for events on weekdays, evenings, or weekends by calling Town Hall at (803) 496-3330.

Francis Folk Park Unity Road, Holly Hill, SC 29059; (803) 496-3330 Town Hall; I-95/Exit 90 (Hwy. 176 east, about 7 miles. Highway 176 becomes Old State Road – Holly Hill’s “main street.” Take a left at the second traffic light onto Gardner Boulevard. Take the first right onto Peake Street, then go left onto Unity Road.) Get everyone together for a game of baseball or softball, or even shoot some hoops on the basketball court. The children can frolic on the playground. Hours: Daylight hours daily.

Roy Gilmore Park Park Circle, Holly Hill, SC 29059 (803) 496-3330 Town Hall I-95/Exit 90 (Take Hwy. 176 east, about 7 miles. Highway 176 becomes Old State Road –Holly Hill’s “main street.” Turn right at the railroad track and cross Gilway Street. Take the first street to the right.) This park features a picnic area where spectators can watch those playing “the game of love” on the tennis courts. Hours: Daylight hours daily.

Branchville Railroad Shrine and Museum (S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 7204 Freedom Road Branchville, SC; (803) 274-8820 I-95/Exit 77 West (Hwy. 78 West, 10 miles to Branchville.) Train lovers know that Branchville, settled in 1734, is home to the world’s oldest railroad junction. The Branchville Depot dining room is where Presidents William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, and William Howard Taft ate during their visits. The Branchville Railroad Shrine and Museum features a replica of “The Best Friend of Charleston” locomotive. Call the Branchville Town Hall,
(803) 274-8820 for an appointment to tour the museum.

Bowman Nature Park 6056 Charleston Highway Bowman, SC 29018 (Take Exit 82 off I-95, you will be on S.C. Highway 178. Drive northwest for 8 miles through Bowman and the park is on your left, just past the medical clinic. Town Hall – (803) 829-2666)

Thee Matriarch Bed and Breakfast 1170 Fischer Street Orangeburg, SC 29115; (803) 531-6226 Please see the website for directions: www.theematriarch.com Each month, Thee Matriarch features “First Fridays” special lunch and supper meals and “Top Chef Tuesdays” on the second Tuesday evening for networking and palate-worthy creations. For other Orangeburg County attractions, go to www.orangeburgcounty.org.

The Klauber Building (S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 225 Parler Avenue, St. George, SC 29477 (843) 563-8187 www.tri-crcc.com This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This historic building, erected in 1894 by Judge Leopold Klauber as a mercantile store, was dedicated in 2006 as a part of the SCNHC. The building today serves as the St. George Office of the Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitor and Information Center. It also houses a town museum and a second-floor events facility. Hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. weekdays.

The Lourie Theater 206 North Parler Avenue St. George, SC 29477 Town Hall, (843) 563-3032 This totally refurbished theater has been a mainstay of St. George since the 1920s and features stage productions, concerts, workshops, and much more. The Lourie Annex also serves as an events facility. Things to Do Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce 15 . (843) 563-9091 . www.tri-crcc.com

Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest in Four Holes Swamp (S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 336 Sanctuary Road Harleyville, SC 29448 (843) 462-2150 www.beidlerforest.com I-95/Exit 82 (Harleyville, Highway 178 East. Take a left onto Beidler Forest Road.) Explore the largest remaining virgin stand of tupelo gum and bald cypress trees in the world. Venture through the swamp on the elevated boardwalk. The Forest was recognized as an Important Bird Area in 2001, was designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2008, and was featured in the January/ February issue of Audubon magazine in 2011. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays and major holidays.

Appleby Church I-95/Exit 77 (St. George, Highway 78 East-Take Highway 15 South about 5 miles to SC1819 West, which is Wire Road. Take a right, and the church is at RD 71.) Appleby Church was founded in 1797. The building’s simple design shows the influence of the architecture used in Congregationalist churches of New England. The white frame structure features the typical dual front entry – one door for men, the other for women. The door at the rear was reserved for slaves. The congregation remained segregated throughout all services. Today, the church is used only once a year, for special homecoming services. Permanent interpretative markers in place.

The Koger House I-95/Exit 77 (St. George, Highway 78 East. Take Highway 15 South about five miles to SC1819 West, which is Wire Road. Take a right, and the Koger House is on the I-95 frontage road at RD 19.) The road (an old Indian trail) was used in the early days as a stagecoach road as well as a main route for visitors and residents between Charleston and inland towns and settlements. Research has shown that the house has been in place since at least 1793. The house was constructed of black cypress and is in the Georgian style with Federal-era features such as the mantels. The house was donated to the Upper Dorchester County Historical Society in 2004 and restoration was completed in October 2009. Call Historical Society President Phyllis Hughes at (843) 563-2298 or visit www.upperdorchester countyhistoricalsociety.com

Indian Field Campground I-95 to I-26 East/Exit 172 (Take Highway 15 South about four miles and take a right at Indian Field buildings circle the central tabernacle, where services are held during the last week in September, and breakfast, dinner, and supper are cooked on wood-burning stoves, as our forebears did in the early 1800s when this facility was built.

Harleyville Community Center, Park, Playground, and Ballfields Town Hall – (843) 462-7676 (I-26/Exit 177 toward Harleyville. Take a left at stop sign at dead end in town. Take a right just over the railroad tracks and the town facility will be on the left. 163 South Railroad Avenue, Harleyville) For more information on Dorchester County attractions, go to www.dorchestercounty.net.

Mepkin Abbey (S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 1098 Mepkin Abbey Road Moncks Corner; (843) 761-8509 www.mepkinabbey.org For a truly different experience, visit the Mepkin Abbey Church and the Nancy Bryan Luce Gardens, home to a community of Roman Catholic monks established in 1949 on the site of the historic Mepkin Plantation. Walk the lovely gardens, visit the church, or take a guided tour at 11:30 a.m. (Tuesday-Saturday) or 3 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday). Also, sample the fresh mushrooms and take home some garden compost from the Abbey’s farm, as well as candies, preserves, and creamed honey at the Reception Center Gift Shop. Mepkin Abbey is closed to visitors on Mondays.

Cypress Gardens (S.C. National Heritage Corridor) 3030 Cypress Gardens Road Moncks Corner; (843) 553-0515 www.cypressgardens.info Formerly one of the area’s largest rice plantations, Cypress Gardens’ pristine blackwater swamp offers breathtaking views of mirrored reflections of tall cypress and tupelo trees. Boat rides through the swamp offer visitors a surreal journey through this water forest which has served as a scenic location for several major motion pictures, including The Patriot and The Notebook. Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Happy Trails to You Take a spin on South Carolina’s Palmetto Trail, the state’s largest bicycle and to walkers, cyclists, and equestrians (in designated sections). This federally designated Millennium Legacy Trail is the signature project of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation. It is one of only 16 cross-state trails in the United States. The trail is being built as a series of “passages.” The Tri-County region includes the Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, Eutaw Springs, and Santee passages. Each of the currently open passages is accessible for singleday or multi-day trips. The passages reveal the rich diversity and the history, culture, and geography of the Palmetto State. For more information on the Palmetto Trail, please see www.palmettoconservation.org/aboutthetrail.asp.

The Town of Santee is also encouraging its residents to get out and exercise on its newly opened walking trail with workout stations, all on the Town Hall campus on Brooks Boulevard, Santee. For information, please call (803) 854-2152.

Tasty Temptations - After experiencing the exquisite tastes of the fine dining establishments and casual eateries in the Tri-County Region, you will never want to buy groceries again. Satisfy your appetite with the freshest freshwater fish pulled straight from Lakes Marion and Moultrie, as well as a wide variety of seafood from the nearby Atlantic. A number of our Chamber members also offer a great grilled steak, chicken, pork chops, and/or good oldfashioned Southern cooking, including the most mouthwatering barbecue in the South. Finally, our area is home to quality chain restaurants that specialize in pizza, chicken, sandwiches, and breakfast items. Visit the Chamber’s website www.tri-crcc.com, under “Meet Our Members” and the category “restaurants” for more about our members’ delicious offerings.

Places to Snooze - Southern hospitality is at the tips of your fingers wherever you decide to stay when visiting our area. Your journey begins with a warm smile and greeting and ends with a desire to never leave. We invite you to contact our chamber members who offer safe, quality lodging in both Santee and St. George. Most all hotels, motels, or inns in our area provide a wide variety of amenities that make you feel right at home, such as high-speed Internet, a swimming pool, hot tub, fitness room, inroom safe, coffee maker, cable TV, guest laundry facilities, onsite meeting facilities, a restaurant and a bar, and more. Be sure to inquire about a suite if you’re traveling with a group. Book ahead to ensure that you get the best room and rate.