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Water
Trail Edisto River Canoe and Kayak (Main
Stem) Description: The 50.3-mile
Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail near Summerville is an easy trip
on one of the state’s longest blackwater rivers. It certainly ranks
among the prettiest anywhere, too. For much of its gentle and flat
passage, the Edisto ambles along under huge live oaks draped in
Spanish moss, stoic baldcypress, and water tupelo towering from the
dark water. The Edisto is passable by canoes, but trees have a
tendency to fall directly in the river’s main current. And while
volunteers do a fine job of keeping the trail clear, you should
still expect some portages and approach all logjams with caution.
For most of your trip, a steady current helps keep things moving and
there are many places to relax along the way. The river is abundant
with red breast sunfish and other fauna including water snakes,
alligator, kingfishers, great blue heron and egret. Float time on
the Main Stem of the Edisto is roughly 12 hours.
Length: 50.3 miles one
way Fees: Varies
depending on access points. Check with state parks for camping
fees. Access/Take-out
Points: Mile
0 - Whetstone
Crossroads - The landing
is at the Sandy Island Bridge and a fee may be charged. From Exit 68
on I-95 near Walterboro, drive northwest on SC 61 for 10.7 miles to
the intersection of SC 61 and US 21. Turn right onto US 21 and the
bridge is .2 mile. Mile
13.5 - Green Pond
Church Landing - Public landing
on the right side of the river. From Exit 68 on I-95 near
Walterboro, drive northwest on SC 61approximately 3.5 miles and turn
right to Green Pond Church Landing. Mile
21.1 - Canadys
Bridge - This is a
public landing with a concrete ramp on the left side of the river.
From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 and
turn right onto SC-61. Drive to the community of Canadys and turn
left onto US 15, the bridge is 0.7 mile. Picnicking and camping are
available at Colleton State Park. Mile
27.8 - Stokes
Bridge -
Access/take-out is just below the bridge. From Exit 68 on I-95 near
Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for 8.5 miles and turn left
onto Colleton County S-15-21. The bridge is at the county line. Mile
34.3 - Mas Old
Field - This is a
public landing with a concrete ramp on the right side of the river.
From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for
13.8 miles and turn left onto Colleton County S-15-495. The landing
is at the end of the road. Mile
40.3 - Givhans Ferry
State Park - The landing is
just above the SC 61 bridge. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro,
drive southeast on SC 61 for 16.7 miles to the bridge, which crosses
the Edisto River. Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State
Park. Mile
42 - T. W.
Messervy Landing - This is a
public landing with a concrete ramp on the left side of the river.
From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for
16.7 miles to the bridge, which crosses the Edisto River. Cross the
bridge, drive .3 mile, and turn right onto Dorchester County
S-18-162. Turn right onto the second dirt road and the landing is at
the end. Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State Park. Mile 48
- Good Hope Landing - This is
a public landing with a concrete ramp on the right side of the
river. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC
61 for 15.9 miles to Givhans Ferry State Park and turn right onto
Colleton County S-15-35. Drive 5.1 miles and turn left onto S-15-91.
Turn left onto the first dirt road and the landing is at the
end. Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State Park. Mile
50.3 - Long Creek
Landing - This is a
public landing with a concrete ramp on the right side of the river.
From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for
15.9 miles to Givhans Ferry State Park and turn right onto Colleton
County S-15-35. Drive 5.1 miles and turn left onto S-15-91. Turn
left onto the second dirt road and the landing is at the end.
Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State Park. Hours: Year-round;
check with state parks for additional information. Both Colleton
State Park and Givhans Ferry State Park are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
daily from April through October. They are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
daily from November through March. Camping: Camping is
available at Givhans Ferry State Park and Colleton State Park. At
Givhans Ferry, there are 25 campsites and four cabins, all rented on
a first-come, first-served basis. Colleton State Park has 25
campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites at
both parks include water and electrical hookups and are convenient
to hot showers and restrooms. Information: Contact Edisto
River Canoe and Kayak Trail Commission, P.O. Box 1763, Walterboro,
S.C. 29488. 843-549-5591. Also try Givhans Ferry State Park, 746
Givhans Ferry Road, Ridgeville, S.C. 29472. 843-873-0692. Or,
Colleton State Park, Canadys, S.C. 29433. 843-538-8206.
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