Santee National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Marion, South Carolina · 78 ft
Typical peak
Nov 1 – Nov 9
high confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Mixed hardwood and pine along the north shore of Lake Marion, three thousand feet below the escarpment overlooks that were the state's only entries. Loblolly holds green through the season, so the hardwood turn reads as patches against it rather than a full canopy.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
low
Usually quieter, especially around dawn.
Getting there
Off US 15/301 at Summerton, with the visitor center on the Bluff Unit. Refuge roads, a wildlife drive and short trails reach the lakeshore and impoundments.
What turns here
- loblolly pine
- oak
- hickory
Color progression
Typical peak Nov 5Typical color progression for Santee National Wildlife Refuge. No change from Sep 28 to Oct 15. First color from Oct 15 to Oct 24. Approaching peak from Oct 24 to Nov 1. Peak from Nov 1 to Nov 9. Past peak from Nov 9 to Nov 19. Bare from Nov 19 to Dec 3.
Santee National Wildlife Refuge is typically at peak on Nov 1, 2026.
This season so far
First frost
None yet
No night at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
71°F / 54°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Santee National Wildlife Refuge on November 5, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:18 AM |
| Sunrise Rises ESE · 108° | 6:44 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 35 min of low, warm light | 7:19 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:05 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 35 min before sunset | 4:51 PM |
| Sunset Sets WSW · 252° | 5:26 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 5:52 PM |
Times in America/New York · day length 10h 43m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sun rises ESE, sets WSW.
Aim within 45° of the sun for translucent leaves. Turn your back to it for flat, accurate color.
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.