Paddling in South Carolina

South Carolina's scenic and inviting rivers offer the finest and most varied paddling in the Eastern U.S. With 11,000 miles of rivers, numerous lakes and coastal waters, paddlers can choose from rushing whitewater rivers, tranquil, moss draped swamps, tea-stained black rivers, or salt marshes.

Outfitters and guides offer all you need for a kayaking or canoeing day trip or a guided multi-day paddling excursion on one of South Carolina’s scenic water trails. Contact the SC Professional Paddle Sports Association for advice on planning your next trip with a professional guide.

South Carolina Rivers:

15 miles of riparian forest with breathtaking spring wildflower displays is the hallmark of the Broad River.

Little Pee Dee is 14 miles of blackwater swamps, white sandy beaches, cypress trees, and a feeling of wilderness: Little Pee Dee State Park.

An outstanding resource within the urban environment of metropolitan Columbia is the Lower Saluda.

Lynches River (7.5 miles) winds past small islands, bottomland hardwood wetlands and artesian wells.

            Mountain Rivers:

The Chattooga River is designated a national wild and scenic river. It moves from gentle water to progressively more challenging rapids.

The Chauga River - Sometimes described as a mini version of the Chattooga River, this tributary of the Savannah River flows through the Sumter National Forest. Great scenery combined with gradients averaging 60-80 feet per mile and Class I-V rapids make this river a great whitewater destination for an experienced paddler.

Blackwater Rivers:

The longest undammed blackwater river is the Edisto River. Its dark waters flow unobstructed for its 300-plus mile length. The river meanders through forests of cypress and tupelo at two to four miles an hour. The water is dark because it soaks up tannins.

Other Blackwater Rivers are Black River, Ashepoo, and Waccamaw.

The Ace Basin is named for the three rivers that drain into the basin - the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto.

Other Rivers:

Known for one of the largest colonies of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies in the Southeast, Landsford Canal State Park provides access to the Catawba River.

Thirty miles of narrow and shallow water, the Enoree River is surrounded by steep hardwood bluffs, forest, and small wetland areas.

The Thompson River is a mountain stream in Oconee County, dropping in a series of dramatic waterfalls into Lake Jocassee.

The Turkey & Stevens River - Narrow and shallow water, surrounded by steep hardwood bluffs, forest, and small wetland areas (12 miles).

The Tyger River is a narrow and shallow river bed surrounded by flood plain forest and wetland areas (24 miles). Click here for more information on South Carolina's Scenic Rivers.