Expedition SC List

SC Paddling Trails: The Complete List

South Carolina has more paddling variety than almost any state in the Southeast. Mountain lakes with crystal-clear water, blackwater rivers stained dark with tannins, tidal creeks full of dolphins, and open-water crossings to uninhabited barrier islands. This is the complete list, organized by region.

Mountain Lakes

1

Lake Jocassee

Level 2

Crystal-clear mountain lake with waterfalls dropping directly into the water. Completely undeveloped shoreline. One of the most beautiful lakes in the eastern US.

Full guide →
2

Lake Keowee

Level 2

Large reservoir in the Upstate with clear water and mountain views. Multiple access points.

3

Lake Hartwell

Level 2

Straddles the SC-GA border. Large reservoir with extensive shoreline and multiple marinas.

Mountain Rivers

4

Chattooga River (Sections I-IV)

Level 3-5

The legendary whitewater river on the SC-GA border. Section IV is Class IV-V expert whitewater. Sections I-III are accessible to intermediate paddlers.

5

Middle Saluda River (Jones Gap)

Level 4

Technical mountain river paddling through Jones Gap State Park. Requires advanced skills.

Midlands Rivers & Lakes

6

Saluda River, Columbia

Level 2

Flatwater paddling and mild rapids through the capital city. Tubing popular in summer.

7

Edisto River Canoe Trail

Level 2-3

The longest free-flowing blackwater river in the world. 56-mile canoe trail from Aiken State Park to Colleton State Park.

8

Congaree River

Level 2

Flatwater paddling through the Congaree National Park corridor. Access at multiple points.

9

Lake Murray

Level 2

50,000-acre reservoir west of Columbia. Calm water, good fishing, and beautiful sunsets.

10

Santee Cooper (Lake Marion & Lake Moultrie)

Level 2

Two massive reservoirs connected by a canal. Excellent fishing and birding.

Coastal Blackwater

13

Waccamaw River

Level 2

Blackwater river through the Pee Dee region. Quiet, remote, and beautiful.

14

Wambaw Creek, Francis Marion NF

Level 2-3

Designated canoe trail through cypress swamp in Francis Marion National Forest. Remote and wild.

Coastal Tidal

15

Murrells Inlet Tidal Creeks

Level 2

Dolphin capital of the SC coast. Guided tours available. Best on incoming tides.

16

Shem Creek, Charleston

Level 1-2

Marsh paddling in the heart of Mount Pleasant. Dolphins, pelicans, and shrimp boats.

18

Edisto Island Tidal Creeks

Level 2

Remote marsh paddling on one of the least developed barrier islands on the coast.

19

Beaufort River

Level 1-2

Paddle through the historic Beaufort waterfront with views of antebellum homes.

Open Water

21

Calibogue Sound, Hilton Head

Level 3-4

Open-water paddling around Hilton Head with views of Daufuskie Island.