Expedition Zone

Zone: The Corridor

Pee Dee, Francis Marion & ACE Basin
  • ACE Basin
  • Francis Marion Forest
  • Great Pee Dee River
  • Santee NWR
  • Black River

What Makes This Zone Special

Blackwater creek country. Quiet, wild, and largely undiscovered. The ACE Basin is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. Francis Marion National Forest and the Great Pee Dee River flow through bottomland forests that feel unchanged in centuries.
Zone at a Glance

8 adventure guides in The Corridor

Adventures in This Zone

LVL 3 — Moderate

Great Pee Dee River Paddle

Varies by section (5 to 20 miles)
Half day to multi-day
One of the longest undammed rivers in the Southeast. The Great Pee Dee flows through bottomland hardwood forest and cypress swamp for more than 200 miles. Remote, wild, and largely undiscovered by paddlers outside the region.
  • Dog-Friendly
LVL 1 — First Steps

Santee NWR Wildlife Drive

5-mile wildlife drive, 1-3 mile trails
1-3 hours
15,000 acres of managed wetlands on Santee Cooper. One of the best birding sites in South Carolina. Tens of thousands of wintering waterfowl, resident bald eagles, and wood storks on a 5-mile wildlife drive accessible to all.
  • Wheelchair Accessible (wildlife drive)
  • Dog-Friendly
  • Free Admission
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Little Pee Dee State Park Paddle & Camp

Short nature trails, river paddle varies
Overnight or multi-day
A quiet state park on the Little Pee Dee River in the Pee Dee region. Blackwater river camping, paddling, and fishing in one of the least-visited corners of South Carolina.
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
  • Parking at Campground
LVL 1 — First Steps

Sesquicentennial State Park

1 to 3 miles
1-3 hours
A 1,400-acre state park on the edge of Columbia with a lake, hiking trails, and a mountain bike trail. The best accessible outdoor recreation closest to the state capital.
  • Dog-Friendly (Leashed)
  • Stroller-Friendly (Paved areas)
  • Parking at Park
LVL 2 — Easy Going

ACE Basin Wildlife Paddle

4-10 miles (variable)
Half day to full day
One of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. Paddle through tidal creeks and salt marshes where bald eagles, wood storks, and river otters share the water with your kayak.
  • Guided Tours Available
  • Dog-Friendly
LVL 2 — Easy Going

Francis Marion Blackwater Creek Paddle

Variable
2-4 hours
Paddle through ancient cypress swamps where the water runs the color of dark tea and the silence is absolute. The blackwater creeks of Francis Marion are among the most atmospheric paddling in the Southeast.
  • Dog-Friendly

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ACE Basin?

The ACE Basin is a 350,000-acre estuarine system formed by the Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto rivers in the South Carolina Lowcountry. It is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast and one of the most important wildlife habitats in the Southeast, home to bald eagles, wood storks, bottlenose dolphins, and alligators.

What are blackwater creeks?

Blackwater creeks are streams stained dark brown by tannins from decaying leaves and vegetation. The color is natural and harmless. The blackwater creeks of Francis Marion National Forest and the Pee Dee region are among the most atmospheric paddling environments in the Southeast, with cypress trees draped in Spanish moss and mirror-like dark water.