Santee / Santee Lakes KOA Journey — Hotel in Manning

The only good part of our 10.5 hour over night stay was the view. We had k-2 tent site on the bluff which was an oversized anthill! Ants invaded the picnic table once the cooler was placed upon it. We opted to eat sandwiches, resorting to putting in ziploc bags until we were ready to eat (had to pull camp chairs out of truck b/c picnic bench now covered with ants.) We didn't want ants in our cookware. Never found an ant free location to pitch tent. Did so in an area free of anthills, however, within 5 min of pitching tent, ants were already climbing on the rain fly. Luckily, overnight, only 2 ants made it inside the tent. Used bathroom at midnight. No water, no flushing of toilets, not able to wash hands. We noticed an outdoor electrical panel in a grass area between RV sites had the whole panel door wide open and a fan blowing onto it. Went to truck to take meds, only to find dozens of streams of ants crawling over tires, along the headlights, hood, door frames, windshield, tailgate. Tempted to leave then, but due to quiet hours didn't. 4am woke up to a torrential downpour (not the fault of KOA, just nature we can deal with). When rain subsided, went back to the bathroom. Still no running water, poop was in 2 of the toilets, every toilet had been used, no way to wash hands. The exposed power panel still had the fan blowing on it, and it was sprinkling lightly. We decided to break camp and leave. When we got back to the site, we saw the tent campers on k-1 were also breaking camp. They left 5 minutes ahead of us. Our drive home was not fun due to constantly swiping ants off our arms, neck, feet. They were climbing out from the door panels, console, and dashboard! Once home and unloading ants were in everything. We put all in our front yard and driveway. It took over 2 hours to go through our gear and spray the truck with bug killer. Even with that, a few hours later, when we went out into the garage, there was a stream of ants going from our camp chairs to the one stove we did not take on vacation. I am glad we still had bug spray left to kill this last stream of ants. But no, this morning (next day) they are still in the interior of the truck. What...

Beautiful scenery with tall trees and a beautiful lake (Marion lake). The views were stunning. While it was close off I-95 we didnt hear any traffic. Most of the sites were spacious. Our site (c5) was very spacious but we were on sandy dirt so putting out the rug was a MUST. Leveling was slightly challenging, but not undoable. We did have to place some blocks under 2 of our tires. The staff is very friendly and very happy to see you. The woman at the front desk was so very nice and accommodating. We ended up having to leave a day early due to inclement weather and we were actually refunded that nights stay which was not expected but very much appreciated. The store is definitely bare but it was explained to us that new management was coming in so I would assume that will change. We were there in Feb so the pool wasnt open yet but its a fairly good size but nothing special. Garbage pick up is done every morning when you leave it in front of your site. They deliver pizza (made by the front desk) and firewood right to your site which is very nice for people who dont travel with a car. The pizza was pretty good and were New Yorkers so we can be pretty picky. My husband showered in their bathhouse and while it was clean the shower heads were at his shoulders and hes an average 59. There is a beautiful dock at Lake Marion as well as a beach, a community fire pit and a playground. I heard they have trophy size catfish and striped bass but we didnt have time to throw a line in. The lake is HUGE! That being said lake Marion is also the most alligator infested lake in all of South Carolina so kids and pets should be supervised at all times. We didnt not see any alligators and the staff said they arent typically on this side of the lake due to all the activity from water activities, but definitely use caution. There is a restaurant within walking distance but we didnt go there. All in all my family enjoyed the campground and we plan on coming back. Everyone was very friendly We camped at Santee / Santee Lakes KOA in...

It's a KOA, so it is extremely overpriced. $81 WITH my KOA discount is too much for a dirt site. Staff was friendly and helpful but that is where it ends for me. When I got to my site there was an extension cord plugged into my pedestal, the cord was buried in the ground. Comes up the other side of the site where it connects to a wifi booster. Not to code, and dangerous. They also nail/screw electrical equipment, antennas and outdoor lights to trees which is unsafe and not to code. Restrooms are dated, dirty, and poorly maintained. Sinks and showers are peeling. Paint peeling. Floor drain broken. Back door is locked. Per fire code all exit doors should be unlocked or equipped with panic bars. No exit signs and no emergency lighting. Dividers are wobbly and have missing brackets. Mold growing. Wood trim soaked and pulling away from walls. Some stalls permanently out of order. Website shows a beautiful pool, but it's closed and green. Not enough water in it to run the pumps.  And one of the spas has been permanently closed up with plywood. Their store has very little in it, cooler virtually empty. About the only good thing here is the pizza. They have a day room at the main office with some games and books, also tables which are set up for eating your pizza. There is a pile of old furniture and tires behind the dumpster. There is just one dumpster. No trash cans behind the restaurant/office. Trash gets piled up out behind the pizza store and then once a day they use a cart to take it to the dumpster. Health dept. regulations require there to be adequate trash facilities for any food service business. We only came here to escape the path of an oncoming storm. Can't see coming back. Only giving them 3 stars because of the nice ladies...