Cedar Creek (Congaree NP): Cedar Creek Landing to HWY 601

Skill Level: Difficult

Loading

Rapids: None

Length: 17.00 miles

Duration: 8 - 14 hours

Portaging: No

What to Expect

This is a wilderness paddle through Congaree National Park to the Congaree River. Approximately 6 miles of this paddle are on Cedar Creek through Congaree National Park, with the remainder of the trip on the Congaree River. This trip is best completed as an overnight, though it is possible to do it in a long day.

Access

Put in:

Cedar Creek Landing

Access Details

Gravel parking area with a hand-carry boat launch.

Take out:

Bates Bridge Landing on the Congaree River

Access Details

Developed motor boat launch under the Hwy-601 Bridge on the Congaree River.

Trip Details

Waterways:

Cedar Creek (Congaree NP)
Congaree River

Upstream Trip (1)

Cedar Creek (Congaree NP): Bannister Bridge to Cedar Creek Landing

Comments (2)

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Russ Bowen

Nov 10, 2022 8:09 am EST

Paddled on Nov 9, 2022 with guage reading 2.90 ft. with a canoe loaded with 2 people and camping gear. There were about 4 or 5 portages due to downed trees. Most portages happened after we saw a sign pointing to the Congaree River. The increase in river blockages inspired some confusion regarding whether we'd made a correct turn at the sign. We started from a campsite just past Cedar Creek Landing, and our travel time was about 9 hours including breaks.

Nathan Crackel

Nov 16, 2021 4:11 pm EST

Did this trail solo a couple years ago in a kayak, and it was absolutely grueling, but also absolutely stunning. The first couple miles of the Cedar Creek trail are maintained by the park, so it's fairly easy-going. After that, expect several portages regardless of the water level (water level was average on my trip, and I had about a dozen portages). Once you get to the Congaree, it's a breeze, if also a bit boring. If I were to do it again, I'd probably paddle Cedar Creek until just before the river, make camp, and then paddle back.

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