The Blackwater Paddler's Guide: South Carolina Edition

Chattooga River (SC side)

A National Wild and Scenic River since 1974, and the Forest Service calls it one of the longest free-flowing mountain rivers in the Southeast. Section II is a gentle float of small ledges and long pools. Sections III and IV are serious whitewater.

Class

Class II to IV+

Where

Oconee County, along the South Carolina and Georgia line

Best season

Whenever the gauge is in range. American Whitewater publishes a range for each section.

Length

About 50 miles long.

Permit and access

Every boating group needs the free self-registration permit from the stand at the put-in. Tubes are allowed only between Highway 28 and Earls Ford.

Gauge

American Whitewater reads USGS 02177000, Chattooga River near Clayton, GA. Most paddlers read the gauge painted on the US 76 bridge, which reads a little different. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

Three companies hold Forest Service permits to guide Sections III and IV, and they also teach clinics. Every commercial trip on the river runs under that permit.

Camping

Camp anywhere not signed closed, at least a quarter mile from a road and 50 feet from a trail, stream or the river. Section II has benches for camping in its middle miles.

Hazards

The Forest Service says the river has claimed many lives since 1970, most of them paddlers. Bull Sluice (Class IV) sits at the US 76 access. Five Falls on Section IV has killed boaters and nears Class V above 2 ft.

The runs

Section II: Highway 28 to Earls Ford (6.1 mi). Class II. Small ledges and shoals between long, deep pools.
Section III: Earls Ford to US 76 (12 mi). Class II to III+ (IV). The Narrows, then Bull Sluice at the take-out.
Section IV: US 76 to Tugaloo Lake (8.4 mi). Class II to IV+ with Five Falls. Moderate to expert experience.

Put-ins and take-outs

Highway 28 Boat Launch; Earls Ford (river access); Sandy Ford (river access); Thrifts Ferry (river access); US 76 bridge access (Bull Sluice) (river access); Woodall Shoals (river access)

Recommended by

USDA Forest Service, Sumter National Forest (Wild and Scenic River); American Whitewater

Suggested: Section II, Highway 28 to Earls Ford (6.1 mi)

1. Fill out the free permit at the Highway 28 launch and keep your copy with you. Float 6.1 miles of small ledges, shoals and deep pools to Earls Ford. Check the gauge first: American Whitewater gives 1.3 to 5 ft for this section.

Packed lunch and snacks. One gallon per person for the day.

Lake Jocassee

A 7,565-acre mountain lake, mostly undeveloped, with unusually clear water. Four mountain streams and several waterfalls feed it, and the park says the waterfalls can only be reached by boat. Devils Fork State Park is the only public access. The park office sells a lake map that shows where the falls are.

Class

Flatwater, open lake

Where

Devils Fork State Park, Salem, in the Upstate mountains

Best season

Year-round. The park opens 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. late spring to mid-fall, and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. the rest of the year. Times may change. Check the official site for current times.

Length

7,565 acres. The boat-in campsites are about 2 miles from the main launch.

Permit and access

Daily park admission covers launching your canoe or kayak ($8 adults). Canoes and kayaks without a motor need no registration. Boats may not sit at the dock over an hour.

Gauge

No USGS river gauge applies to the lake. The park says lake levels change often and recommends trailering any boat you leave unattended. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

Eclectic Sun rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboards in the park. The park also lists Jocassee Outdoor Center and Jocassee Adventures nearby.

Camping

25 boat-in sites on the north shore below Musterground Mountain, about 2 miles by water. No water, power, toilets or dock. Two-night minimum, about $40 a night. No camping on islands.

Hazards

A big lake: the park warns bad weather can make boat travel dangerous fast, and it offers no boater assistance. Weekends fill the lot, worst from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The runs

Devils Fork launch to the north-shore boat-in camps (About 2 mi). Open water under Musterground Mountain. Reserve a campsite first.

Put-ins and take-outs

Devils Fork State Park launch

Recommended by

SC State Parks (Devils Fork State Park, the only public access to the lake)

Suggested: Boat-in camp on Lake Jocassee (2 mi each way)

1. Pay admission, launch at Devils Fork and paddle about 2 miles to your reserved boat-in site on the north shore. Carry all your water; the sites have none.
2. Explore by boat. The park says its waterfalls can only be reached from the water, and its lake map shows where they are.
3. Paddle back to the launch early. Watch the sky; bad weather turns the open lake dangerous fast.

Three days of camp meals and snacks, packed to carry in a boat. One gallon per person per day, carried in.

Broad River

Fifteen miles of the Broad below Ninety-Nine Islands Dam are a State Scenic River, undeveloped Piedmont forest and pasture with historic sites from Smith's ford to Native American fish traps. It runs wide and easy over Class I shoals on the Scenic River and again below Peak, then passes the Columbia skyline to meet the Saluda.

Class

Class I, easy shoals

Where

Cherokee and York counties down to Columbia

Best season

Whenever the level is right. Low water can leave some ramps out of reach, and seasonal floods bring down trees.

Length

The State Scenic River is 15 miles, Ninety-Nine Islands Dam to the Pacolet River.

Permit and access

No fee at the Sumter National Forest Broad River site. Camping on forest land along the river is by permit only. Harbison State Forest asks for a float plan.

Gauge

For the Scenic River, USGS 02153551 below Ninety-Nine Islands. Lower down, 02161000 at Alston and 02162035 near Columbia. Paddle SC gives 500 to 10,000 cfs as safe flows for the Peak to Harbison trip. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

No outfitter is named by the Scenic River program, the Forest Service or Paddle SC for this river. Plan your own shuttle.

Camping

Sumter National Forest land borders part of the river. Check the Enoree Ranger District's camping rules before you go. No camping is published on the Scenic River section.

Hazards

Depth changes along the Scenic River, so wear your life jacket. Watch for floods and fallen trees. At Lockhart the river goes through a millrace; take out river right above the dam, and never boat the canal.

The runs

Ninety-Nine Islands access to Dalton's Landing (7.8 mi). Easy Class I through the Scenic River. Put in below the dam.
Peak-Alston Canoe Access to Harbison State Forest (16.6 mi). Class I, 6 to 8 hours. Small shoals, forested islands, eagles.
Columbia Diversion Dam to Barney Jordan Landing (5.5 mi). Class I shoals under the downtown Columbia bridges.

Put-ins and take-outs

Ninety-Nine Islands tailrace boat ramp; Dalton's Landing (boat ramp); Peak-Alston Canoe Access (Palmetto Trail); Harbison State Forest canoe launch; Columbia Diversion Dam put-in (Riverfront Park) (park launch); Barney Jordan Landing (boat ramp)

Recommended by

SC Department of Natural Resources (State Scenic River); Sumter National Forest; Paddle SC

Suggested: Ninety-Nine Islands to Dalton's Landing (7.8 mi)

1. Put in at the Ninety-Nine Islands access below the dam and float 7.8 miles of wide channels and easy Class I shoals to Dalton's Landing. Paddle SC puts it at 4 to 4.5 hours and calls it good for beginners and families.

Packed lunch and snacks. One gallon per person for the day.

Catawba River at Landsford Canal

The park sits on the fall line, where the Catawba spreads across rock shoals holding the largest known stand of rocky shoals spider lilies. They bloom white in May and June, about halfway down the park's 1.5-mile run. Stone locks from the canal that carried boats in the 1820s still stand on the bank.

Class

Class I to II, sometimes III

Where

Landsford Canal State Park, Catawba, 25 miles below the Lake Wylie dam

Best season

Mid-May to mid-June for the spider lily bloom. Weekend dam releases run late April through September.

Length

1.5 miles through the park. The blueway from the Lake Wylie dam is 29.3 miles.

Permit and access

Park admission is $6 for adults. Only the mapped public launches are open; the rest of the bank is private.

Gauge

The park watches USGS 02146000 near Rock Hill (Highway 21) and 02147020 below Catawba (Highway 5). It recommends about 1,800 to 3,000 cfs for beginner and intermediate paddlers; over 4,000 cfs is for experts. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

The park rents no boats. It permits Aquatic Adventures, Carolina Safari Co., Catawba Riverkeeper and North Carolina Outdoor Adventures to guide. The blueway lists Twisted Beaver Adventures.

Camping

No camping is published on this reach. The park is day-use, open daylight to dark. Times may change. Check the official site for current times.

Hazards

The flow comes from the Lake Wylie dam and runs from almost nothing to about 13,000 cfs. At low water the shoals turn to rock shelves that stop a boat. High water swamps open canoes and kayaks.

The runs

Catawba Nation launch to Landsford Canal upper access (9.7 mi). Easy Class I, a rural half-day paddle.
Landsford Canal upper access to lower access (1.5 mi). Class I through the spider lily shoals.
Landsford Canal lower access to Highway 9 Landing (About 5 mi). Below the park on the blueway.

Put-ins and take-outs

Catawba Nation Access (end of Charley Horse Rd, Rock Hill) (canoe launch); Landsford Canal State Park Upper Access (2051 Park Drive, Catawba) (state park launch); Landsford Canal State Park Lower Access (Canal Road) (state park take-out); Highway 9 Landing (SCDNR) (boat ramp); Fort Mill / Lake Wylie Hydro Dam Access (New Gray Rock Road, Fort Mill) (boat ramp)

Recommended by

SC State Parks (Landsford Canal State Park); Carolina Thread Trail (Catawba River Blueway); Paddle SC

Suggested: Landsford Canal spider lily run (1.5 mi)

1. Launch at the park's upper access off Park Drive and float about 1.5 miles through the shoals to the lower access on Canal Road. The lilies are about halfway. Check the flow first: the park likes 1,800 to 3,000 cfs.

Snacks and a picnic lunch for the park. One liter per person for the run.

Lower Saluda River

Cold, clear water from the bottom of Lake Murray makes this a trout river in the middle of Columbia. The upper miles are flat and easy. Below the I-26 bridge it turns into a run of real rapids, up to Class IV at Mill Race, before it meets the Broad in Columbia.

Class

Class I to III, one IV

Where

Lake Murray Dam to downtown Columbia

Best season

Cold water released from Lake Murray sets the flow. Check the dam schedule before every trip.

Length

A 10-mile State Scenic River, below Lake Murray Dam to the Broad River.

Permit and access

Saluda Shoals Park charges admission. The zoo parking lots are no longer public river access.

Gauge

USGS 02168504 below Lake Murray Dam shows releases, and 02169000 near Columbia. Paddle SC gives 700 to 20,000 cfs as safe flows below Gardendale. Dam releases can change the flow within a couple of hours. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

No rental or shuttle service is named by SC DNR or Paddle SC for this river. Dominion Energy runs release alerts by phone, email or text; sign up a week ahead.

Camping

A day river through the city. Plan it as a day trip.

Hazards

The water runs about 60 degrees, so hypothermia is possible even in summer. Sirens and lights mean a release is coming: get off the river. Portage Mill Race on the left by the Saluda Riverwalk.

The runs

Saluda Shoals Park or Hope Ferry Landing to Gardendale (3.4 mi). Easy Class I on cold, clear water. Take out before the rapids.
Gardendale to Senate Street Landing (6.3 mi). Class I to IV. Mill Race and the rapids below I-26. Experienced paddlers.

Put-ins and take-outs

Hope Ferry Landing (south bank) (boat ramp); Saluda Shoals Park (north bank) (park ramps); Gardendale Access (carry-in); Senate Street Landing (carry-in); Amphitheater carry-in (west bank)

Recommended by

SC Department of Natural Resources (State Scenic River); Congaree Riverkeeper; Paddle SC; American Whitewater

Suggested: Saluda Shoals to Gardendale (3.4 mi)

1. Launch at Saluda Shoals Park or Hope Ferry Landing and float about 3.4 easy miles to the Gardendale carry-in. Take out there; the big rapids start below I-26. Wear your life jacket, and leave the river if the sirens sound.

Snacks. A warm layer in a dry bag, even in summer. One liter per person for the run.

Congaree River Blue Trail

A National Recreation Trail from downtown Columbia to the Congaree Wilderness. Below the city the river swings past big sandbars and high bluffs to the largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. Below Cayce there is no public access for a long, long way.

Class

Flatwater, one low dam

Where

Columbia downstream to Congaree National Park and US 601

Best season

Dams upstream can change the level fast, so check it the morning you go.

Length

About 50 miles, Columbia to US 601.

Permit and access

Camping inside Congaree National Park needs a free backcountry permit, requested 72 hours ahead. Times may change. Check the official site for current times.

Gauge

The trail reads USGS 02169500, Congaree River at Columbia, and 02169750 sits at the US 601 take-out. Paddle SC gives 1,000 to 60,000 cfs as the safe paddling flow. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

The park lists River Runner Outdoor Center, Palmetto Outdoor, J.K. Adventure Guides and Carolina Outdoor Adventures, mostly for Cedar Creek tours. No Blue Trail shuttle is listed.

Camping

Primitive camping is allowed on the sandbars. Stay below the high-water mark on private land. Inside the park, camp only with the free permit.

Hazards

At Granby Dam in Cayce, stay off the dam and use the lock on river right. Dam releases can flood sandbars with little warning. Devil's Elbow is private land; stay in the boat.

The runs

Gervais Street Bridge to Bates Bridge Landing (US 601) (About 50 mi). The whole trail. Cayce Lock on river right at Granby Dam.
Jordan Landing (Rosewood) to Bates Bridge Landing (46 mi). Paddle SC's count. Newman Landing, just below, is the last before Bates Bridge.
Cedar Creek (Congaree NP) to US 601 Landing (About 20 mi). Through the national park. The park calls it best as an overnight.

Put-ins and take-outs

Gervais Street Bridge landing (West Columbia) (canoe launch); Jordan Landing (Rosewood); Newman Landing (Cayce); Bates Bridge Landing (US 601) (boat ramp)

Recommended by

National Park Service, Congaree National Park (National Recreation Trail); American Rivers; Paddle SC

Suggested: Cedar Creek to US 601 overnight (about 20 mi)

1. Get your free backcountry permit from the park at least 72 hours ahead. Launch at Cedar Creek Landing, follow the creek out to the Congaree and make camp inside the park, well above the water.
2. Paddle on down the Congaree to Bates Bridge Landing at US 601, the last take-out on the trail. The next landing is 15 miles farther, so do not miss it.

Two days of meals and snacks. No open fires in the park backcountry; bring a stove. One gallon per person per day. Do not drink the river water.

Cedar Creek Canoe Trail

A marked blackwater creek through the Congaree Wilderness, 15 miles under the biggest old-growth bottomland forest left in the country. Watch for otters, turtles, wading birds and now and then an alligator. It is wilderness and kept that way, so plan on climbing over logs.

Class

Flatwater, many carry-overs

Where

Congaree National Park, below Columbia

Best season

The level decides the trip; check the Cedar Creek gauge first. Summer brings snakes, spiders, stinging insects and poison ivy.

Length

About 15 marked miles, Bannister's Bridge to the Congaree River.

Permit and access

Bring your own boat; the park rents none. Backcountry camping needs a free permit from the park, requested 72 hours ahead. Times may change. Check the official site for current times.

Gauge

The park's chart reads the Cedar Creek gauge, USGS 02169672: under 2.5 ft means many portages, 2.5 to 4 ft is fine, 4 to 7 ft is very good paddling, 7 to 8 ft go with caution, and 8 ft is flood stage. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

The park lists River Runner Outdoor Center for rentals, and Palmetto Outdoor, J.K. Adventure Guides and Carolina Outdoor Adventures for guided tours.

Camping

No set campsites. With the free permit, pick a spot 100 feet from the creek and 300 feet from other campers, six people at most. No open fires; stoves only.

Hazards

Downed trees and log jams are common, so expect portages. Trail markers can disappear at some levels; carry a map and compass. The creek can swing about 10 feet. Do not drink the water.

The runs

Bannister's Bridge to Cedar Creek Landing (About 6.2 mi). 4 to 6 hours. The park's suggested day trip.
Bannister's Bridge to the Congaree River (About 15 mi). The whole marked trail, out to the big river.

Put-ins and take-outs

Bannister's Bridge (canoe launch); Cedar Creek Landing

Recommended by

National Park Service, Congaree National Park (marked canoe trail)

Suggested: Bannister's Bridge to Cedar Creek Landing (6.2 mi)

1. Leave a car at Cedar Creek Landing, launch at Bannister's Bridge and follow the markers about 6.2 miles down the creek. The park allows 4 to 6 hours. Check the Cedar Creek gauge first: 4 to 7 ft is the sweet spot.

Packed lunch and snacks. One gallon per person for the day. Do not drink the creek water.

Lynches River

A free-flowing Coastal Plain river out of North Carolina that squeezes to four feet wide in the bends and opens to a hundred in lake-like reaches. SC DNR calls it flatwater with a zippy current and hard work, better for experienced paddlers than beginners. It ends at Snow's Island, a National Historic Landmark tied to Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox.

Class

Flatwater, zippy current

Where

Lee and Florence counties, US 15 to the Great Pee Dee

Best season

Usable year-round. Higher water in late winter and spring, lower in late summer and fall.

Length

About 175 miles. The 111 from US 15 to the Great Pee Dee are State Scenic River.

Permit and access

No river permit. Sandbars and banks below the ordinary high-water line are public; most land above it is private.

Gauge

SC DNR says the river can be traveled between 2 and 9 ft on USGS 02132000 at Effingham, near the Highway 52 Landing. Upstream, 02131500 sits near Bishopville. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

Lynches River County Park rents canoes and kayaks and shuttles renters free, with a $100 deposit a boat. It stops renting in cold, wind, and low or high water.

Camping

Designated camping only at Lee State Natural Area and Lynches River County Park, which has campsites and riverside cabins. At low water, the public sandbars can work too.

Hazards

Fallen trees and log jams are normal; SC DNR says carry a hand saw. The last six miles below Johnsonville clog with strainers at low water. Wear blaze orange in hunting season, Aug. 16 to May 1.

The runs

Highway 15 Landing to Highway 401 Landing (16 mi). 8 to 9 hours on the upper Scenic River.
Lynches River County Park to Highway 52 Landing (5 mi). About 2 hours. The county park's rental run.
Highway 378 Landing to Half Moon Landing (14 to 15 mi). About 8 hours through the lower swamp.

Put-ins and take-outs

Highway 15 Landing (Bishopville); Highway 401 Landing; Highway 76 Landing; Lynches River County Park canoe launch (park launch); Highway 52 Landing (Effingham); Indigo Landing; Highway 378 Landing; Half Moon Landing; Venters Landing (Johnsonville)

Recommended by

SC Department of Natural Resources (State Scenic River water trail); Lynches River County Park; Winyah Rivers Alliance

Suggested: County Park to Highway 52 Landing (5 mi)

1. Rent a boat at Lynches River County Park or bring your own, and put in at the park landing. Paddle 5 miles, about 2 hours, to the Highway 52 landing. Renters ride the park's free shuttle back.

Snacks and lunch. The park has picnic spots. One liter per person for the run, more in summer.

Little Pee Dee River

SC DNR calls it an outstanding Coastal Plain blackwater river: tea-colored water, cypress and tupelo swamp and sandy bottoms. In Dillon County it runs about 45 feet wide and meanders gently, with swift water at some bends and channels that split. Two stretches are State Scenic River.

Class

Flatwater, swift at bends

Where

Dillon County down to the Great Pee Dee

Best season

Year-round. Higher in late winter and spring; late summer and fall mean more portages.

Length

Almost 120 miles. The Dillon County water trail covers 27 of them.

Permit and access

No river permit. At bridge throw-ins, stay in the public right-of-way; the land beside the bridge is private. Do not park on the road.

Gauge

SC DNR says it can be traveled between 2 and 9 ft on USGS 02135000 at Galivants Ferry. Upstream, 02132500 sits near Dillon. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

SC DNR names no outfitter for the water trail. It suggests calling Little Pee Dee State Park for help.

Camping

SC DNR says the only camping along the water trail is at Little Pee Dee State Park: 32 campsites and a camper cabin on Lake Norton.

Hazards

Fallen trees, road pilings and split channels, with swift water at tight bends. McKays Bridge to Harllees Bridge is remote swamp for experienced boaters only.

The runs

Moccasin Bluff Landing to Stafford Bridge (US 301/501) (4 mi). 1 to 3 hours. The top of the Dillon County water trail.
Dillon County Park Landing to Floydale Bridge Landing (4.5 mi). 1 to 2.5 hours.
Carmichael's Bridge Landing to Huggins Bridge (SC 41) (6 mi). 2 to 3 hours past Little Pee Dee State Park. End of the trail guide.

Put-ins and take-outs

Moccasin Bluff Landing (boat ramp); Stafford Bridge Landing (US 301/501) (boat ramp); SC Highway 9 throw-in (landing); Dillon County Park Landing (boat ramp); Floydale Bridge Landing (boat ramp); Carmichael's Bridge Heritage Trust Landing; Huggins Bridge Landing (SC 41); Pitts Landing (US 378) (boat ramp); Punch Bowl Landing (boat ramp)

Recommended by

SC Department of Natural Resources (State Scenic River water trail); SC State Parks (Little Pee Dee State Park); Winyah Rivers Alliance

Suggested: Carmichael's Bridge to Huggins Bridge (6 mi)

1. Put in at the Carmichael's Bridge Heritage Trust Landing and paddle 6 miles, 2 to 3 hours, past Little Pee Dee State Park to the Huggins Bridge landing on SC 41. Check Galivants Ferry first: SC DNR says the river can be traveled between 2 and 9 ft.

Packed lunch and snacks. One gallon per person for the day.

Great Pee Dee River

SC DNR calls it a large and wild Coastal Plain river: swamps, bottomland forest and coastal marsh, free-flowing through the scenic river. Its 70 scenic miles pass Woodbury Heritage Preserve, the Waccamaw refuge at Yauhannah and the old Pee Dee rice plantations before the river reaches Winyah Bay.

Class

Flatwater, big river

Where

US 378 down to Winyah Bay at Georgetown

Best season

Year-round. The big sandbars for canoe camping show at normal to low water.

Length

The lower 70 miles, US 378 to US 17, are State Scenic River.

Permit and access

No paddling permit is listed. The landings are public ramps named by SC DNR.

Gauge

USGS 02131210 at US 378 above Poston sits at the top of the scenic river; 02135200 at US 701 is near Yauhannah. No paddling range is published. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

No outfitter is named by SC DNR or the refuge for this river. Plan your own shuttle.

Camping

SC DNR says the big sandbars on the upper river make multi-day canoe camping possible at normal to low water.

Hazards

Big powerboats use the lower river. Port Hill Landing has no parking, and its ramp works only for canoes and small boats at low water. SC DNR posts a mercury advisory on several fish.

The runs

Allisons Landing to Dunham Bluff Landing (6 mi). The top of the Scenic River, below US 378.
Dunham Bluff Landing to Staple Lake Landing (9 mi). Through Woodbury WMA. Staple Lake is up a side channel.
Tan Yard Landing to Yauhannah Landing (5 mi). Past the Little Pee Dee mouth to the refuge at Yauhannah.

Put-ins and take-outs

Allisons Landing (boat ramp); Dunham Bluff Landing (boat ramp); Staple Lake Landing (boat ramp); Port Hill Landing (canoes at low water) (boat ramp); Petersfield Landing (boat ramp); Tan Yard Landing (boat ramp); Yauhannah Landing (US 701) (boat ramp); Samworth WMA landing (boat ramp and canoe access)

Recommended by

SC Department of Natural Resources (State Scenic River); US Fish and Wildlife Service, Waccamaw NWR; Winyah Rivers Alliance

Suggested: Dunham Bluff to Staple Lake Landing (9 mi)

1. Launch at Dunham Bluff Landing in Woodbury WMA and paddle about 9 river miles to Staple Lake Landing, which sits about 300 yards up a side channel off the river. Watch for that turn.

Packed lunch and snacks. One gallon per person for the day.

Black River

Named for its tea-dark water, the Black is a free-flowing Coastal Plain river through swamp forest and farmland, trading open lake-like reaches for narrow channels. White sandbars slope into clean water good for swimming. Black River State Park, the state's first linear park, gives access to more than 70 miles of water trail.

Class

Flatwater

Where

Clarendon, Williamsburg and Georgetown counties, past Kingstree and Andrews

Best season

Year-round. Some stretches need a small boat when the water is low.

Length

75 miles of State Scenic River, June Burn Road to Pea House Landing.

Permit and access

No river permit. Black River State Park charges $3 admission for adults. The park is new, so check its hours and open launches before you go. Times may change. Check the official site for current times.

Gauge

USGS 02136000 at Kingstree is the river's long-record gauge. SC DNR puts its median near 4.9 ft and flood stage at 12 ft. Downstream, 02136030 sits near Andrews. No paddling range is published. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

Black River State Park rents no boats. The Nature Conservancy lists Black River Outdoors for guided trips, 843-546-4840. Otherwise plan your own shuttle.

Camping

Sandbar canoe camping can work at lower water, but SC DNR lists no public campground on the river, and the state park has no overnight sites yet.

Hazards

Above Kingstree the river splits into channels, fallen trees block it and access is scarce. Public landings are far apart, and shorter trips mean asking a landowner for permission.

The runs

Mill Street Landing (Kingstree) to the SC 377 bridge (About 9 mi). Carry-in take-out at the bridge.
Ervin Park to Pump House Landing (Andrews) (About 10 mi). Between two public ramps.
Pump House Landing to Pea House Landing (About 10 mi). Past Pine Tree Landing to the end of the Scenic River.

Put-ins and take-outs

Mt Vernon Road (SR 35) bridge (carry-in); Gilland Memorial Park landing (Kingstree); Mill Street Landing (Kingstree) (boat ramp); SC 377 bridge (carry-in); Ervin Park landing; Pump House Landing (Andrews) (boat ramp); Pine Tree Landing (boat ramp); Pea House Landing (boat ramp); Black River State Park, The Meadows (park launch, paid guests); Black River State Park, The Narrows (park launch)

Recommended by

SC State Parks (Black River State Park); SC Department of Natural Resources (State Scenic River); Winyah Rivers Alliance

Suggested: Ervin Park to Pump House Landing (10 mi)

1. Launch at the Ervin Park landing and paddle about 10 river miles to Pump House Landing on Reds Landing Road near Andrews. Both ends are public ramps. Look at the Kingstree gauge first, and stay off the river near flood stage.

Packed lunch and snacks. A sandbar makes the lunch stop. One gallon per person for the day.

Waccamaw River

One long Blue Trail from Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina to Winyah Bay. In South Carolina it winds through the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve, past downtown Conway and into the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, then meets the Intracoastal Waterway beside old rice fields and Sandy Island. Its South Carolina miles are a National Water Trail.

Class

Flatwater

Where

Horry and Georgetown counties, from the North Carolina line to Winyah Bay

Best season

Check the level first: a flooded river is dangerous, and a low one exposes logs you will have to carry over.

Length

Over 140 miles in all, about 100 of them in South Carolina.

Permit and access

No permit is listed for paddling. Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge closes to the public during its deer, hog and turkey hunts.

Gauge

Go Paddle SC names USGS 02110500 near Longs and 02110704 at the Conway Marina. Lower down, 02110802 sits at Bucksport. No paddling range is published. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

No outfitter is named by the Blue Trail, the refuge or Go Paddle SC. Plan your own shuttle.

Camping

Sandbars below the normal high-water line are public. Boaters may camp on the bank inside the Heritage Preserve, which has private land mixed in. No camping in the refuge without a permit.

Hazards

Fallen trees, bridge piers, and big boats once you reach the Intracoastal Waterway. Several landings have limited parking or a steep ramp.

The runs

Reaves Ferry to Conway Marina (About 17 mi). By the Blue Trail map's mile markers, past Lee's Landing.
Conway Marina to Bucksville (About 9 mi). Past Pitch Landing and the refuge's Cox Ferry Recreation Area.

Put-ins and take-outs

Wortham's Ferry (historic access, limited parking); Big Savannah Bluff (landing, limited parking); Red Bluff (landing); Reaves Ferry (landing); Lee's Landing (boat ramp, steep); Conway Marina (marina ramp); Conway Riverwalk (riverwalk access); Pitch Landing (landing, limited parking); Cox Ferry Recreation Area (Waccamaw NWR) (refuge landing); Bucksville (landing, limited parking)

Recommended by

Winyah Rivers Alliance (Waccamaw River Blue Trail); US Fish and Wildlife Service, Waccamaw NWR; Go Paddle SC

Suggested: Conway Marina to Bucksville (about 9 mi)

1. Launch at the Conway Marina and paddle about 9 miles, mile 94 to mile 103 on the Blue Trail map, past Pitch Landing and the refuge's Cox Ferry area to Bucksville. Parking there is limited; set the shuttle early.

Packed lunch and snacks. One gallon per person for the day.

Edisto River

SC State Parks calls the Edisto one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in North America. The Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail follows its tea-colored water under towering cypress, past sandbars and bluffs, and its lowest sections turn tidal, fresh to brackish. Colleton State Park is the trail's headquarters.

Class

Moderate blackwater

Where

Colleton State Park down to the tidal lower river, west of Charleston

Best season

Year-round. Spring usually runs average to high; late summer and early fall are the lowest.

Length

The marked trail runs 62 miles. Colleton to Givhans Ferry is about 23.

Permit and access

No paddling permit is published. Colleton State Park is free; Givhans Ferry charges $6 for adults. The state park launches are for paddle craft only.

Gauge

The trail reads USGS 02175000, Edisto River near Givhans: any level of 2 ft and over floats the trail, and flood stage is 10 ft. Upstream, 02174055 sits below Canadys. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

The trail lists Carolina Heritage Outfitters in St. George, which also rents riverside treehouses, and Edisto River Adventures in Ridgeville for tubing.

Camping

Colleton State Park has 25 campsites and a camper cabin. Givhans Ferry has 25 sites plus hike-in tent sites, with a two-night minimum.

Hazards

Strainers are the big danger; trees can block the channel and force a portage. Never paddle alone. Summer brings tubers, motorboats and afternoon storms. Below Messervy, the New Cut has real rapids.

The runs

Colleton State Park to Givhans Ferry State Park (About 23 mi). The most popular stretch, park to park.
Mars Oldfield Landing to Givhans Ferry State Park (6.5 mi). Four Holes Swamp comes in a little over 4 miles down.
Messervy Landing to Good Hope Landing (4 mi). The New Cut is a challenging rapid; the Old Cut avoids it but may mean a portage.

Put-ins and take-outs

Simmons Boat Landing (boat ramp); Colleton State Park (state park launch); Mars Oldfield Landing (boat ramp); Givhans Ferry State Park (state park launch); T.W. Messervy Landing (boat ramp); Good Hope Landing (boat ramp); Long Creek Landing (boat ramp); Sullivans Ferry (Stump Knocker) Landing (boat ramp); Lowndes Landing (boat ramp); Martins Landing (boat ramp)

Recommended by

Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail; SC State Parks (Colleton and Givhans Ferry); Paddle SC

Suggested: Mars Oldfield Landing to Givhans Ferry (6.5 mi)

1. Launch at Colleton County's Mars Oldfield Landing and float 6.5 miles to Givhans Ferry State Park, passing the mouth of Four Holes Swamp about 4 miles down. Check the Givhans gauge: 2 ft and over floats the trail.

Packed lunch and snacks. One gallon per person for the day.

ACE Basin

Where the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto rivers meet the sea, in one of the largest undeveloped wetlands on the Atlantic coast. Salt marsh, tidal creeks and sand flats. The published paddles leave from Edisto Beach State Park's Live Oak Landing on Big Bay Creek and from Sugar Hill Landing on the Combahee.

Class

Tidal marsh, some open water

Where

Between Charleston and Beaufort, from Edisto Beach to the Combahee

Best season

Every trip here runs on the tide, so plan around it.

Length

A 350,000-acre wetland system. The two published paddles are 5 miles and 1 mile.

Permit and access

Paddle SC lists no permit for these routes. The refuge schedules deer and hog hunts in set areas each year. Edisto Marina charges a small fee to launch a kayak.

Gauge

This is tide water; plan on the tide, not a gauge. Paddle SC uses the Edisto Marina tide station for Big Bay Creek and Bluff Plantation for Sugar Hill. River gauges: USGS 02175148 on the Ashepoo at US 17, 02176150 on the Combahee. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

No outfitter is named by the refuge, the reserve or Paddle SC for these routes.

Camping

No paddle-in camping is published for these routes. Plan them as day trips.

Hazards

The route to Pine Island crosses the mouth of the South Edisto River, so watch the weather. Water at Sugar Hill Landing may be very shallow at low tide.

The runs

Live Oak Landing (Big Bay Creek) to Pine Island (5 mi). Moderate, 3 to 6 hours. Sand bars show at low tide.
Sugar Hill Landing to the Combahee River (1 mi). Easy. Water may be very shallow at low tide; check the tide.

Put-ins and take-outs

Live Oak Landing, Big Bay Creek (Edisto Beach State Park) (boat ramp); Sugar Hill Landing (Combahee River) (boat ramp)

Recommended by

Paddle SC; SC DNR (ACE Basin NERR)

Suggested: Live Oak Landing to Pine Island (5 mi)

1. Launch from Live Oak Landing on Big Bay Creek. Paddle out through the marsh and across the South Edisto mouth to the sand flats of Pine Island, and back. About 5 miles. Check the tide first.

Packed lunch, snacks and sun protection. One gallon per person for the day.

Ashley River Blue Trail

A tidal river that turns from freshwater cypress swamp to brackish and salt marsh on its way to Charleston. The upper river runs narrow and tannin-dark under oaks, away from the big boats. Twenty-six National Register sites line the scenic miles, among them Drayton Hall, Middleton Place and the tabby fort at Colonial Dorchester.

Class

Easy, tidal

Where

Summerville down to Charleston Harbor

Best season

Year-round. Time your trip with the tide and you can cover a lot of river in a day.

Length

The Blue Trail is 30 miles. The 22 miles from US 17-A to I-526 are State Scenic River.

Permit and access

No paddling permit. Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site charges $3 for adults. Drayton Hall charges to visit.

Gauge

The whole trail is tidal, so plan on the tide first. USGS 02172081 at Cooke Crossroads and 021720825 below Summerville show the upper river. No paddling range is published. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

American Rivers names Sun and Moon Kayaking and Charleston Kayak as guides and outfitters on the Blue Trail.

Camping

SC Trails lists no camping on the Blue Trail. Plan day trips.

Hazards

Currents and water levels follow the daily tide. Old shipwrecks and landings show at low tide on the upper river. Bigger boats use the lower river near the harbor. The first six miles above Drayton Hall are no-wake.

The runs

Drayton Hall to Bacon's Bridge (15 mi). American Rivers calls it the sweet spot of the Blue Trail.
Middleton Place to Bacon's Bridge (Heritage Trail) (5.5 mi). Narrow, under oaks, over dark water. Old wrecks show at low tide.
Sland's Bridge to the mouth of Towne Creek (30 mi). The whole Blue Trail, swamp to salt marsh.

Put-ins and take-outs

Swan Drive Kayak Launch; Ashley River Park (Bacons Bridge Road) (canoe and kayak launch); Herbert H. Jessen Landing (Summerville) (boat ramp); Flynn Street Landing (no parking); W.O. Thomas Jr. Landing (below I-526) (boat ramp); Pierpont Landing (Church Creek) (canoe and kayak)

Recommended by

American Rivers (Ashley River Blue Trail); SC Department of Natural Resources (State Scenic River); SC Trails

Wambaw Creek Canoe Trail

A quiet wilderness blackwater creek through cypress and tupelo in the Francis Marion National Forest. Old rice-field dikes and abandoned canals still show along the banks. Watch for prothonotary warblers, swallow-tailed kites and river otters. The Forest Service keeps two more canoe trails nearby on Echaw and Chicken creeks.

Class

Easy, tidal

Where

Francis Marion National Forest, along the Santee River

Best season

Year-round. Plan around the tide: Wambaw Creek runs about three hours behind Charleston Harbor, and Echaw Creek about two and a half.

Length

Wambaw Creek trail 5 miles. Echaw Creek trail 5 miles. Chicken Creek loop 8.2 miles.

Permit and access

No permit or fee is listed. The landings have parking and a water launch.

Gauge

Wambaw Creek has no gauge. It is tidal: take a Charleston Harbor tide table and add about three hours. USGS 02171700, Santee River near Jamestown, is the nearest river gauge. Read it live in the CWS app before you launch.

Outfitters

No outfitter is named by the Forest Service or SC Trails for these creeks. Plan your own shuttle.

Camping

The swampy ground limits camping in the forest. Elmwood Landing is a primitive campsite and public landing near Hampton Plantation State Historic Site; pack it in, pack it out.

Hazards

Biting insects, heat, low limbs and venomous snakes. Echaw Creek has log jams, and its right bank going downstream is private. Santee Cooper water releases change the Santee on the Chicken Creek loop.

The runs

Still Landing to Elmwood Landing (Wambaw Creek) (5 mi). Tidal. Go either direction and ride the tide.
Pitch Landing to McConnel's Landing (Echaw Creek) (5 mi). Out onto the Santee River at mile 2.7.
Chicken Creek loop from the Santee (8.2 mi). Down the Santee, through Chicken Creek, back up Wambaw Creek.

Put-ins and take-outs

Still Landing; Elmwood Landing; Pitch Landing (Echaw Creek); McConnel's Landing (Echaw Creek)

Recommended by

USDA Forest Service, Francis Marion National Forest; SC Trails

Suggested: Still Landing to Elmwood Landing (5 mi)

1. Take a Charleston Harbor tide table, add about three hours and plan to ride the tide. Launch at Still Landing and paddle 5 miles of cypress and tupelo to Elmwood Landing. Bring bug spray and watch for snakes on the limbs.

Packed lunch and snacks. One gallon per person for the day.

Cape Romain NWR

A refuge since 1932, Cape Romain is barrier islands and salt marsh, about three quarters of it estuary: tidal creeks, shallow bays and shell rake islands. It has the largest loggerhead sea turtle nesting population outside Florida and more than 293 bird species. Bulls Island and the other islands can only be reached by water.

Class

Tidal marsh, open water

Where

The coast at Awendaw, launching from Garris Landing

Best season

Open sunrise to sunset. Marsh Island and White Banks close Feb. 15 to Sept. 15 for nesting birds. Times may change. Check the official site for current times.

Length

66,306 acres of barrier islands, salt marsh and tidal creeks.

Permit and access

No paddling permit is listed for private paddlers; guides need a Special Use Permit. Camping is prohibited on the refuge. Pets stay in the boat.

Gauge

This is tide water. USGS 02171905 is a tide gauge on the South Santee near McClellanville. Check the tides and the marine forecast before you launch.

Outfitters

Coastal Expeditions is the refuge concession. It schedules guided trips to Bulls Island and other parts of the refuge.

Camping

Camping is prohibited on the refuge; the nearest campgrounds are on the Francis Marion National Forest. Plan a day trip and be off the water by sunset.

Hazards

Tides and water depths vary in the creeks and bays; check them first. Posted nesting closures are enforced. No kayaks in the Bulls Island ponds. Archery deer hunts run in November and December.

The runs

Garris Landing into the refuge creeks (By the tide). No routes or mileages are published. Plan the day on the tide.

Put-ins and take-outs

Garris Landing (refuge landing)

Recommended by

US Fish and Wildlife Service, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

Reedy River

Shoals and Class II rapids between flat pools, 15 minutes south of downtown Greenville. Paddle SC lists nine trips downriver from Greenville. The Conestee Road put-in is unofficial, with parking 950 feet away on Spanco Drive.

Best run

Conestee Road to Log Shoals Park, Class I to II (3.9 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02164000

Hazards

Downed trees and woody debris are likely. On the Jenkins Bridge trip, get off the river before Cedar Falls.

Recommended by

Paddle SC

Upper Saluda River

Anderson County's Saluda River Blueway runs 48 miles from Saluda Lake Dam to Ware Shoals Dam, six sections split by seven dams. The run from Dolly Cooper Park is lazy water with wide channels, one or two small rapids, and an ADA launch at each park.

Best run

Dolly Cooper Park to River Road, Piedmont, Class I to II (9.4 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02163001

Hazards

Access at the Saluda River Dam and Saluda Outdoor Center is closed.

Recommended by

Anderson County Parks and Recreation; Paddle SC

Enoree River Canoe Trail

The River of Muscadines: 2 to 6 feet deep and 40 to 70 feet wide, under hardwood bluffs and bottomland forest. Beginner to novice depending on the level. The Forest Service suggests late spring and fall, and canoes or flat-bottom boats under 14 feet.

Best run

The whole Forest Service canoe trail (36 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02160700

Hazards

Early spring floods are unsafe and summer drought can stop you. Fallen trees and log jams. Do not drink the water.

Recommended by

USDA Forest Service, Sumter National Forest

Tyger River Canoe Trail

A Forest Service canoe trail 2 to 6 feet deep and 40 to 70 feet wide, beginner to novice depending on the level. Rose Hill and Beatty's Bridge have boat ramps. Primitive camping on forest land is by permit, and Sedalia Campground is nearby.

Best run

The whole Forest Service canoe trail (24 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02160055

Hazards

Seasonal floods, fallen trees and log jams. Summer drought can make it too low. Cedar Bluff Bridge is private land.

Recommended by

USDA Forest Service, Sumter National Forest

Chauga River

A Sumter National Forest Scenic River popular with anglers. American Whitewater lists two runs: the Chauga Narrows float, Class II to III with a Class V drop at the Narrows to carry around, and the 9.3-mile Chauga Gorge, Class IV.

Best run

Chauga Narrows to Cassidy Bridge, portage the Narrows (5.4 mi)

Gauge

USGS 344108083090600

Hazards

The Narrows is Class V; portage river right. Downed trees can double a float. Riley Moore Falls on the gorge drops about 15 feet.

Recommended by

American Whitewater

Turkey and Stevens Creeks

A Forest Service canoe trail that mixes Piedmont rock shoals and steep bluffs with cypress and floodplain forest. Paddle SC gives 2.5 to 18 ft on USGS 02196000 near Modoc as safe levels. Sumter sites closed after Hurricane Helene; confirm it is open.

Best run

Key Bridge to Modoc Bridge (SC 23), Class I to II (8.3 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02196000

Hazards

Extremely dangerous at flood stage, and it rises fast after heavy rain. Portages possible. Camping needs a permit.

Recommended by

USDA Forest Service, Sumter National Forest; Paddle SC

Wateree River

Below Lake Wateree Dam the river starts with small Class I shoals through forest, then flattens out. Farther down, Paddle SC lists a 32-mile run from the Tolar ramp to US 601 on the Congaree (Bates Bridge) beside a big, quiet floodplain.

Best run

Lugoff Landing to the US 1 access, Class I (7.2 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02148000

Hazards

Water is released from Lake Wateree Dam just upstream; check the level before you go.

Recommended by

Paddle SC

South Fork Edisto (Aiken State Park)

A short blackwater canoe trail through Aiken State Park, easy to moderate, where park staff keep a path open through the vegetation. The park rents canoes for $20 a trip with life jackets and paddles; arrange it with the park a day ahead.

Best run

Aiken State Park canoe trail, landing to landing (1.7 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02172558

Hazards

Check conditions first, especially after rain or at low water. Some paddling experience helps.

Recommended by

SC State Parks, Aiken State Park

North Fork Edisto Blueway

A twisting blueway in Orangeburg County, with narrow passages, low trees and six landings from Poole's Mill down to Glover Street in Orangeburg. SC Trails lists no camping on it.

Best run

Baughmans Landing to Glover Street Landing, Orangeburg (About 9 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02173500

Hazards

Downed logs to portage at low water, low limbs and summer insects. Aircraft from the North Airbase may pass overhead.

Recommended by

SC Trails

Sparkleberry Swamp

The seasonally flooded forest at the head of Lake Marion, near where the Wateree and Congaree meet. One route launches at the Rimini boat ramp and goes in through a narrow canal to a string of lakes and side creeks.

Gauge

None published. Look at the water before you launch.

Hazards

Thousands of stumps and dead trunks, and it is easy to get lost; carry a mapping GPS. The canal can be too low to float.

Recommended by

Discover South Carolina; SC Department of Natural Resources

Winyah Bay (Saltwater Paddling Trail)

Two sections of SC DNR's 295-mile Saltwater Paddling Trail meet at Georgetown. Section 5 comes up from McClellanville past Santee Coastal Reserve, Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center and North Island's lighthouse. Launch at Georgetown's East Bay Street Landing.

Best run

Section 5, McClellanville to Winyah Bay at Georgetown (About 40 mi)

Gauge

USGS 02136350

Hazards

Open tidal water. Check the tide and marine forecast before any crossing.

Recommended by

SC Department of Natural Resources

Huntington Beach Salt Marsh

The park's salt marsh, reached from Oyster Landing about a mile north of the park. The park rents no kayaks, but its concessionaire runs a naturalist-led marsh kayak program from March to October, by reservation.

Gauge

None published. Look at the water before you launch.

Hazards

Small creeks go dry at low tide; read the tide table. No kayaks in the park's interior ponds.

Recommended by

SC State Parks, Huntington Beach State Park

Old Santee Canal Park

A cypress swamp canoe trail on Biggin Creek in Old Santee Canal Park, Moncks Corner. The park dam holds the level, so current and tide hardly matter, and the park rents canoes. Admission is $5 a person.

Best run

Biggin Creek, out and back from the park (3 mi)

Gauge

None published. Look at the water before you launch.

Hazards

Low branches and tight spots after storms. Watch for alligators.

Recommended by

Old Santee Canal Park (Berkeley County); SC Trails

Four Holes Swamp (Beidler Forest)

Audubon's Francis Beidler Forest protects old-growth cypress and tupelo in Four Holes Swamp, the largest virgin stand left, per SC Trails. Paddling here is by guided canoe and kayak tour, in season and by reservation, when the water is up.

Gauge

None published. Look at the water before you launch.

Hazards

Guided trips only run when the floodplain is high enough. Book with Audubon first.

Recommended by

National Audubon Society, Francis Beidler Forest; SC Trails