Good day paddle through Congaree National Park on a blackwater creek provides solitude and adventure. Paddlers travel past oaks and immense loblolly pines of near record proportions growing on either side of the creek.

Cedar Creek starts out narrow and gradually widens as you travel downstream. At the halfway point, the creek passes near Wise Lake, a former channel of the Congaree River, which is accessible when water levels are higher. The trail ends at Cedar Creek Landing, which is marked by an iron bridge over the creek. The upper portion of this paddle is likely to have fallen trees that can create obstacles across the stream, which gives this paddle an intermediate rating. Use caution when navigating or portaging around fallen trees. Paddle times vary depending on flow and the number of obstacles along the stream. The Congaree National Park website has more information on the park and the paddling trail. You can call (803) 776-4396 for current conditions in the park. The Cedar Creek USGS streamflow gage gives current flow conditions, which can be compared to this chart for expected conditions.