Paddle SC
Camping Fee Required Handicap Accesible Parking- Dedicated Lot Roadside Parking Restrooms / Toilets

Pacolet River: Clifton Old Town to Clifton Beach

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Pacolet River: Clifton Old Town to Clifton Beach

Skill Level: Moderate
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Rapids: Class I , II
Length: 0.90 miles
Duration: 0.5 hours
Portaging: Yes
What to Expect

This section of the Pacolet River requires portaging the Clifton I and II Dams. Portage is available river-right around both dams. Paddlers can expect to encounter a few Class I rapids along this industrial stretch of the Pacolet River.

Access
Put in:
Clifton Old Town
Access Details

A gravel parking area is located river right at the River Street and Old Schoolhouse Road intersection, with enough parking for 8-10 cars. 

Take out:
Clifton Beach
Access Details

Clifton Beach is open from 8 AM - 8 PM daily and features a large parking area, restrooms, and river access. River access is located across the street from parking. Avoid the dam and its facilities. Stay away from the dam. For more information, visit www.spartanburgparks.org. Contact 864-804-5814 for questions or to report issues.

Trip Details

Clifton Beach is a short 5-minute drive from the Clifton Old Town River Access; shuttling cars would be quick and easy. The Clifton Old Town River Access is located off of River Street, northwest of the Town of Clifton. There is a gravel parking area and a short trail that leads to the river. 950 feet downstream of the put in, there is a set of shoals called "Big Shoals", with Class I-II rapids. After crossing under the first bridge (Cowpens Clifton Road), paddlers will come across the Clifton I Dam. Portaging the Clifton I and II Dams requires paddlers to exit the river and carry boats around the dams, re-entering the river downstream. Be advised that although these dams are not large, they pose significant hazards to paddlers. Paddlers should avoid the dams and their facilities, exiting the river well before the dams, and carefully re-entering below the dams, avoiding their tailrace. Once around the first dam, there are 1,300 feet of Class I-II shoals. The river then becomes relatively flat as it approaches the Clifton II dam. Exit the river well before the dam, river right. For additional information, view Upstate Forever's Pacolet River and Lawson's Fork Creek Blueway Map.

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paddlers on Clifton Beach (Credit: Upstate Forever)
view downstream Pacolet River from Clifton Beach (Credit: Upstate Forever)
Trip Resources
River Flow (CFS)
Discharge flow information
CURRENT CFS
Flows for safe padding (cfs)
MINIMUM
325
MAXIMUM
750
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Flow Level
Runnable
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Skill & Flow Level
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Access Amenities
Parking - Dedicated Lot
Parking - Roadside
Restroom / Toilets
Fee Required
Handicap Accessible
Camping
Paddle SC is presented by
Upstate Forever
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
South Carolina National Heritage Corridor
Rainey Foundation