Welcome to the Charleston Adventure Guide’s Best Paddling Adventures section. Below you will find information on the best paddling in Charleston, SC including Capers Island, the Edisto River, the Ashley River and the Wambaw Creek Canoe Trail.

Edisto River—from Givhans Ferry State Park (Near Summerville)

// No Comments » // Charleston Paddling

As the world’s longest free-flowing blackwater river, the Edisto is a natural treasure. With its 300+ miles of waterways, long-distance paddlers can float from narrow, winding swamp to open, coastal marshland. The river’s blackwater is caused by the tannins in the leaves of the cypress and tupelo trees that line the banks. For a scenic daytrip not far from Charleston, paddle with a partner and drop a car at Long Creek Landing on Hwy 17A. Then head 10 miles upriver to Givhans Ferry State Park-(they’ll charge you a $2 fee to launch on their sandy beach). The river quickly narrows after the park, winding tight turns around massive sandbars when water levels aren’t exceptionally high. Don’t miss several rope swings along the way. To make the trip an overnight, camp at the sandy bank across the river from Long Creek landing. Then continue 10 miles the following day to Martin’s Public Landing along State Rd. 38.
Directions from Charleston: Take I-26 W to exit 199 (Hwy 17A) and head south. About 10 miles after passing through downtown Summerville, you’ll cross the Edisto River. Take your next right on McDaniel Town Rd. (State Rd. 91). A second quick right takes you to Long Creek Landing. To reach Givhans Ferry State Park, continue north (take a right from landing) 2 miles on McDaniel Town Rd., then turn right when it dead ends onto Pierce Rd. (State Rd. 35). In 4 miles you’ll reach SC 61-take a right and Givhans is immediately on your left when you again cross the river.

Givhans Ferry State Park: 843-873-0692 / 746 Givhans Ferry Rd., Ridgeville / http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1219.aspx

Edisto River Landings & Put-Ins Mileage Information: www.edistofriends.org

Capers Island (Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge)

// No Comments » // Charleston Paddling

That Capers Island exists as an undeveloped, public island is one of the Lowcountry’s greatest natural assets. Just 15 miles from downtown Charleston, the night sky on Capers’ boneyard beach is darker (and the stars more vibrant) than on any of the populated islands it neighbors. Although Capers borders the Cape Romain Refuge, it is maintained by DNR and primitive camping is permitted, with a free permit. The easiest kayak route to the island is from the Isle of Palms Marina. Simply head north on the Intracoastal Waterway for 4.5 miles. You’ll pass Dewees Inlet, Dewees Island, and then reach Capers Inlet. Avoid the motorboaters and fisherman who pull up on Capers’ south facing beach by paddling out toward the ocean and around the island’s tip (surf is typically negligible here). You’ll have beachfront camping to yourself. Capers is also accessible from Gadsdenville Landing in Mt. Pleasant. Cross Copahee Sound to the Intracoastal and head north along Dewees Island to Capers Inlet. Copahee Sound is extremely shallow, so avoid dead low tides and use a map.
Directions from Charleston: Take Hwy 17 N to the Isle of Palms Connector. Once on IOP, take a left on Palm Blvd. and another quick left onto 21st Ave. Take a right on Waterway Blvd. and continue 1.7 miles to a left at 41st Ave. The marina is 200 yards on your right. To reach Gadsenville Landing, take Hwy 17 N for 15 miles. After passing Hwy 41 on your left and Charleston National Country Club on your right, look for Gadsdenville Rd. on your right. The street dead ends into the small kayak throw-in.

Capers Island Camping Permits: SCDNR / 843-953-9300 / www.dnr.sc.gov

Isle of Palms Marina: 843-886-0209 / 50 41st Ave., Isle of Palms / www.iopmarina.com

Folly River to Bird Key (Folly Beach)

// No Comments » // Charleston Paddling

The myriad of tidal creeks running behind Folly Island are a fine a place to explore by kayak, and it’s only a quick 15 minute ride from downtown Charleston. From the Folly landing head left to the mouth of the Stono River (about 2 miles). The island blocking the inlet’s mouth between Folly and Kiawah is Bird Key, one of the largest rookeries in the state. You’re only allowed to walk to the high tide line, but that’s close enough to get a peek at the oystercatchers, piping plovers, and terns that nest there. On your return, meander up the creeks on your left. If you follow the big creek just before Mariner’s Cay Marina on your left, it’ll wind to the right after a mile and take you to Bowen’s Island Restaurant, a great place to tie up and grab a plate of fried seafood or a cold brew.
Directions from Charleston: Take the James Island Expressway from downtown until it dead ends into Folly Road. Take a left and continue straight on Folly Road. The landing will be on your right when you drive onto Folly Island.

Ashley River to Charles Towne Landing (Downtown Charleston)

// No Comments » // Charleston Paddling

The Charleston peninsula harbors a fantastic but infrequently used kayak throw-in at Brittlebank Park’s floating dock. From there it’s just a quick half-mile paddle upriver to the creek that leads to Charles Towne Landing, where the Lowcountry’s first settlers arrived in 1670. Look for the first creek opening across the Ashley from Brittlebank, and it’s about a quarter mile up the winding waterway to the Landing. You’ll soon see the Adventure, a replica (open to the public) of the 17th century cargo vessel that brought the first European inhabitants to S.C.
Directions from Charleston: Brittlebank Park is located downtown along the Ashley River on Lockwood Dr.

Wambaw Creek Canoe Trail (McClellanville)

// No Comments » // Charleston Paddling

This winding blackwater creek is one of the Lowcountry’s finest places to paddle. From Still Landing, canoes and kayaks can head either direction through the cypress/tupelo stands that line the creek. Warblers, kites, and wildlife are abundant. If you have a second car to drop, it’s a 5 mile paddle from Still Landing to Wambaw Landing.
Directions from Charleston: Take Hwy 17 N to McClellanville, and turn left at the blinking yellow caution light onto Hwy 45 (French Santee Rd.). Go 4 miles and turn right onto Mill Branch Rd. (Forest Service Rd. 211). Drive 3 miles and turn left onto FS 211-B. Continue .5 mile to Still Landing. To reach Wambaw Landing, continue 4 more miles past the turn for FS 211-B on Mill Branch Rd. (FS 211).

Bohicket Creek to the Edisto River (Wadmalaw Island)

// No Comments » // Charleston Paddling

It’s evident just on the drive out to Wadmalaw’s Cherry Point Landing that you’re in for a scenic treat with this paddle. From the landing, head right past the sleepy, historic village of Rockville into Bohicket Creek. You’ll soon reach the open waters of the Edisto River and Botany Bay. Cross the expanse to the large creek opening just ahead and to your left and you’ll find yourself far from the development of Charleston and just inside the northern reaches of the ACE Basin. Dolphins are abundant here-you’re likely to have a pod come snooping to check you out. Paddle into Privateer Creek, the narrow opening just to the right of your reentrance to Bohicket Creek back across the river. Legend has it that Blackbeard used to pull in here to clean his ship’s hull.
Directions from Charleston: Take Hwy 17 S and quickly bear left after the Ashley River Bridge toward Folly Beach. Pass EarthFare grocery store on your right, cross another bridge, and take a right onto Maybank Hwy./SC 700. Continue across James Island, cross a bridge, then continue straight across Johns Island. Once on Wadmalaw, bear left at the split after 7 miles (remain on Maybank Hwy.), then continue 9 miles to Cherry Point Landing.