Lee State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lee State Park |
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| Nearest city | Bishopville, SC |
| Area | 2,839 acres (11 km2) |
| Created | 1935 |
| Camp sites | tent and RV sites, primitive group camping area, equestrian camping |
| Hiking trails | .5 mile long Sandhills and Artesian Trails |
| Other information | Nature center |
Lee State Park, once known as Lee State Natural Area, is a fun state park located near the town of Bishopville in Lee County, South Carolina. It sits right along the Lynches River, offering lots of outdoor adventures for everyone!
Contents
Park History: A Look Back in Time
Building the Park: The Civilian Conservation Corps
Lee State Park was one of 16 parks in South Carolina built during a tough time in American history called the Great Depression (in the 1930s). President Franklin D. Roosevelt started a program called the New Deal to help people find jobs. As part of this, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created. Young men in the CCC worked on projects like building parks. They helped create many of the buildings you can still see and use at Lee State Park today! The land for the park was kindly given by Lee County.
Ancient History: Native American Life
Long before the park was built, people lived on this land. Archaeology is the study of human history through digging up old things. Studies at Lee State Park show that American Indians lived here at least five different times. This happened between 6000 BC and 1000 AD, which means people were here thousands of years ago!
Fun Things to Do at Lee State Park
Lee State Park is packed with exciting activities for visitors of all ages. Whether you love being active or just want to relax in nature, there's something for you!
Outdoor Adventures for Everyone
- Picnicking: Enjoy a meal outdoors with family and friends at one of the park's picnic areas.
- Biking: Ride your bike along the park's roads and trails.
- Fishing: Cast a line and try to catch some fish! Kids under 14 can especially enjoy fishing for catfish in Artesian Lake.
- Bird Watching: Grab your binoculars and spot different kinds of birds that live in or visit the park.
- Geocaching: Go on a treasure hunt using a GPS device to find hidden containers called geocaches.
- Camping: Spend a night or more under the stars! The park has spots for tents, RVs, and even special areas for groups.
Hiking Trails
If you love to walk and explore, Lee State Park has two half-mile trails. These trails are perfect for a short hike to enjoy the natural beauty of the park.
Horseback Riding Fun
Lee State Park is a great place for people who love horses!
- Equestrian Camping: You can camp with your horse in special areas.
- Show Ring: There's a show ring for horse events.
- Stables: Places to keep horses.
- Equestrian Group Area: A special spot for groups with horses.
- Trails: There are seven miles of trails just for horseback riding. You can also ride horses on the Loop Road, which is open to cars.
Learning About Nature
The Lee Environmental Education Center is a cool place to visit. It has a special lab where you can learn about wetland ecology, which is how plants and animals live in wet areas like swamps. The center also has exhibits that teach you about the different habitats and wildlife you might see in the park.
