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South Carolina
301

South Carolina State Parks

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South Carolina
Santee Cooper Region
Woods Bay State Park
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WOODS BAY STATE PARK
WOODS BAY STATE PARK
11020 Woods Bay RD
Olanta, South Carolina   29114

Phone: 843-659-4445
Reservations: 843-659-4445
Email: park email button icon
Woods Bay State Natural Area offers a close-up look at the unique geology of the Carolina bays of the Atlantic coastal plain, along with the mystery and diverse ecology of a southern cypress-tupelo swamp.

Habitats at 1,540-acre Woods Bay also include marsh, sand hills, oak-hickory forest and a shrub bog. More than 75 species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians are found here, along with more than 150 species of birds, changing with the seasons.

Visitors enjoy canoeing, fishing, walking, hiking and photography on the 500-foot boardwalk, canoe trail and nature trail.

Woods Bay was registered as a Heritage Trust Site in 1981 for its outstanding example of a Carolina bay.

Nature of the Area
Located throughout the Atlantic coastal plain, most Carolina Bays are found in South Carolina, North Carolina aand Georgia.

The bays themselves are elliptical depressions of unknown origin. Oriented in a northwest-southeast direction, Carolina Bays range in size from less than an acre to several thousand acres or more.

A sand rim is characteristically associated with these features and is most visible along the southeastern edge. Several theories exist about their formation.

The most popular include sea or underground springs, meteorites or tidal eddies.
Passes
South Carolina offers a variety of Park Passports. You can read more about the South Carolina Park Passports and order online by visiting the SOUTH CAROLINA PARK PASSPORTS web page.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Swimming Beachyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
WinterActivitiesyes
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in a blackwater wetland setting, home to largemouth bass and catfish. Canoe rentals are available on-site.

Bream, crappie, and pickerel can also be found within the park's waters for those seeking variety.

Anglers may fish from shore or by boat with access points provided throughout the area.

Fishing is permitted year-round but note that some species have specific seasons due to conservation efforts.


Location
Woods Bay State Park is located near Florence, Lake City and Sumter

Picnicking
A picnic shelter may be reserved for $25-32/day.

If the shelter is not reserved, guests may use it on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge.

To make a picnic shelter reservation, call toll-free 1-866-345-PARK.

On February 23 you?ll also be able to make reservations through this website.
Birding
The park offers a variety of birding opportunities with over 75 species spotted, including waterfowl and songbirds. The boardwalk trail provides excellent viewing spots for avid birdwatchers. Bird checklists are available at the visitor center to help identify different species.

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Directions
Driving Directions: Off I-95 (exit 146) and US 301, 3 miles west of Olanta.

state route ranger badge
South Carolina
301

South Carolina State Parks

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