Lee State Park
State park
1.1 mi
4.6 (936)
487 Loop Rd, Bishopville, SC 29010
Gender-neutral restroomPicnic tablesPublic restroomSlides
Seasonal Park Swimming AreaSC
Lee State Park
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Lee State Park's seasonal swimming area, explore its artesian wells, and check admission, camping and access before a Bishopville visit.
Swimming restriction
Swimming is seasonal, with no lifeguard. Use the designated area, not arbitrary wells or river access. Check with the park before entering.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Seasonal Park Swimming Area
Access
Official
Fee
Free park admission; camping and reserved facilities have separate charges.
Best season
Day-use areas, trails and Loop Road are listed as open 9 a.m. to sunset. Park hours are not a year-round swimming schedule
Nearby towns
Bishopville, Florence, Sumter
Water body
Artesian Well-Fed Pond; Lynches River Is A Separate Park Feature
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Bishopville, Florence, Sumter
Access location not verified
34.20603, -80.19642
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Lee State Park
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Lee State Park: plan for seasonal swimming, not every well
Lee offers artesian-well scenery and a seasonal swimming area. Our earlier description blurred these together and overstated easy, year-round water access.
Check the designated swimming area
The official activity page publishes Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend swimming, without a lifeguard, and excludes fishing from the swim area. Confirm current conditions and the authorized approach with staff.
Flowing wells are a different feature
The park's well explanation describes CCC drilling into pressurized aquifers. Continuous flow does not mean continuous swimming access. Our gallery distinguishes well scenery from broader park context; it does not identify a verified water entrance.
Admission and overnight stays are separate
Park admission is free. The campground is open year-round with hookups and nearby showers, but reservations and charges are separate. Check current rates rather than assuming free admission includes an overnight stay.
Find the right arrival point
Consult the official maps and ask for the swimming approach. The saved park record lists 487 Loop Road in Bishopville; it is not an independently verified beach entrance. Our archived Boy Scout-camp route and retained pin are not checked current navigation.
Use the gallery as context
Reviewed photos show a stone-lined well, a pond, a wooded boardwalk and the park office. A pond photograph does not establish which section is designated for swimming, its depth or today's water conditions.
Getting There
Use the official park maps and ask staff for the designated swimming approach. Saved Google record lists 487 Loop Road, Bishopville, SC 29010 as a park address, not a verified water entrance. Archived Exit 123/RT 22 and Boy Scout-camp instructions are not confirmed current navigation. Historical pin preserved unverified.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The old Boy Scout-camping pool route has not been confirmed as today's designated swimming entrance. Ask park staff where to park and enter; retained pin is unverified.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Swimming is seasonal, with no lifeguard. Use the designated area, not arbitrary wells or river access. Check with the park before entering. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Toilet
Public bathroom
20.5 mi
502 Robney Dr, Sumter, SC 29150
Female Bathroom
Public female bathroom
20.7 mi
180 W Wesmark Blvd, Sumter, SC 29150
Parking Garage
Parking garage
21.3 mi
19 W Hampton Ave, Sumter, SC 29150
GATE Gas Station
Public bathroom
21.3 mi
3.5 (31)
231 E Liberty St, Sumter, SC 29150
ATMAir pumpConvenience storeRestroom
Public Parking garage
Parking garage
21.4 mi
15 N Sumter St, Sumter, SC 29150
Falcon Nest Family Campground
Campground
22.2 mi
4.2 (76)
Shaw AFB, SC 29152
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Sumter Visitors Center
Visitor center
22.2 mi
4.8 (185)
822 W Liberty St, Sumter, SC 29150
Restroom
Live Conditions Nearby
Checking nearby USGS water conditions…
Frequently Asked Questions About Lee State Park
Can I swim at Lee State Park year-round?
No year-round swimming schedule is published. The designated area is listed for Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; confirm current access with staff.
Are lifeguards provided?
The park states there is no lifeguard. Plan supervision and use only the authorized swimming area.
Does free admission include camping?
No. Camping has separate reservations and charges; check current rates.
Is the photographed artesian well the swimming entrance?
No verified swimming entrance is established by that photo. It illustrates the park's well scenery.
Are the old Boy Scout-camp directions still verified?
No. Use the official maps and confirm the current swimming approach with park staff.
Highlights
Seasonal swimming guidance
Artesian well history
Park-context photo gallery
Separate camping planning
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
No lifeguard; supervise children and do not infer safe depth, drinking-water quality or water-entry permission from a clear-looking well photo. Respect posted closures.
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
CCC-era work shaped the park and its drilled artesian wells; these are not untouched natural spring pools.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Reviewed gallery shows a stone-lined well, wooded pond, boardwalk and park office. These are park context, not verified swimming entrances or proof of current conditions.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Keep to authorized routes through the wetland landscape. Loop Road river access depends on passable conditions and does not itself establish swimming permission.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Day-use areas, trails and Loop Road are listed as open 9 a.m. to sunset. Park hours are not a year-round swimming schedule.
Difficulty Level
Exact swimming approach and accessible water entry not verified; previous universal easy-access claim withdrawn.
Fee
Free park admission; camping and reserved facilities have separate charges.
Facilities
Replace the former 'all facilities' claim with facility-specific information. Confirm the closest toilets, changing arrangements and accessibility with staff.
Activities
Seasonal designated swimming, hiking, birdwatching, picnicking and camping. Fishing is excluded from the swimming area.
Phone
803-428-5307 (existing listing and saved matching park record)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Year-round campground with hookups and nearby hot showers; reserve separately and check current rates. Family and equestrian camping are distinct options.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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