Best Kayaking Destinations Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina is a city of creativity, excitement and promise. Located where the Saluda and Broad Rivers merge to form the Congaree in town, Columbia offers a range of opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Columbia Kayaking Destinations
Escape the bustle of Columbia and get lost amidst the fresh air, cool waters and old growth hardwood forests at these top-rated places to kayak and canoe in the natural beauty that surrounds the city.
Congaree National Park
Gadsden, SC
Congaree National Park is a 26,692-acre national park in central South Carolina, about 18 miles from Columbia. Winding through the heart of the park is Cedar Creek, a blackwater stream that offers a unique kayaking experience. Paddle past the park’s old-growth bottomland hardwoods which are some of the tallest trees in eastern North America and diverse wildlife that includes otter, deer, turtles, wading birds, and even the occasional alligator. The entire marked Cedar Creek Canoe Trail is about 15 miles and starts at Bannister’s Bridge and goes all the way to the Congaree River.
Lake Murray
Columbia, SC
Lake Murray near Columbia, SC, is a popular kayaking destination that offers calm waters and scenic views. The lake is massive, with 650 miles of shoreline. You’ll find everything from wide open spaces with gentle waves to small islands and coves to explore. Dreher Island State Park is a popular launch site, offering access to 12 miles of Lake Murray Shoreline, calm waters and many scenic coves and inlets. You’ll also have a chance to spot lots of wildlife including egrets, herons, turtles, river otters, muskrats, eagles and even deer.
Saluda River
Columbia, SO
The Saluda River is a principal tributary of the Congaree River and offers diverse kayaking experiences that range from gentle floats to more challenging whitewater sections. Near downtown Columbia, you’ll find the Lower Saluda, a 10-mile section that’s been designated a State Scenic River. There are several access points including Saluda Shoals Park and the Saluda Riverwalk. Rapids, up to Class IV, can be found downstream of the I-26 bridge.
Broad River
Columbia, SC
The Broad River is another principal tributary of the Congaree River. It runs through the heart of Columbia but with pines and hardwoods lining both sides of the river, you’d never know it. Fifteen miles of the upper Broad River have been designated as a State Scenic River. Here you’ll find abundant wildlife including a variety of birds and fish as well as river otters, muskrats, deer and coyotes. You can also launch from Saluda Shoals Park and enjoy a scenic route dotted with boulders and islands.
Congaree River
Columbia, SC
The Congaree River itself is also a popular spot for paddling, with a designated blue trail that offers a longer route and scenic areas such as sandbars, bluffs and floodplains. Beginning in downtown Columbia, the swift and wide river flows for 46 miles without another access point. You’ll enjoy thickly forested banks, Congaree National Park, as well as plenty of opportunities to spot river otters, birds, deer and other wildlife. It’s possible to complete the paddle in two days, but with abundant camping options it’s more enjoyable as a three-day trip.
Columbia, SC Kayak Storage Racks
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