Reedy River: Charlie Lollis Memorial Park to Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park

Skill Level: Moderate

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Rapids: Class I

Length: 4.20 miles

Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours

Portaging: No

What to Expect

This trip ends at the Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park on Boyd's Millpond, a 185-acre lake just 5 miles east of Ware Shoals, SC. Because of the downstream Boyd's Millpond Dam, this trip is characterized by lake and lake-like paddling. There is no portage around the Boyd's Millpond Dam available at this time, so paddlers are required to take out at the Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park.

Access

Put in:

Charlie Lollis Memorial Park

15585 US-76, Honea Path, SC 29645

Access Details

Open sunrise to sunset, this park features a 0.4 mile long walking trail, concrete boat ramp, and paved parking area including handicap accessible spots.

Take out:

Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park Boat Landing and Parking Area

1091 Boyd's Mill Pond Road, Laurens, SC 29360

Access Details

The Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park is the only public boat ramp allowing access to Boyd's Mill Pond. The park is open from 7 AM to 9 PM in the summer and 7 AM to 7 PM in the winter. No motor boats over 15 MPH, pontoons, or jet skis allowed on the pond. This park is located river-left and features a concrete boat ramp, playground, restroom facilities, walking trails, and a large parking lot. From Highway 252, turn north on to Boyd's Mill Pond Road and drive 1.08 miles. The park will be on your left. Portage around the dam is not available at this time.

Trip Details

The newly opened Charlie Lollis Memorial Park is just downstream of the W. Main Street / Hwy 76 bridge, river right. The Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park is a short 10 minute drive away, so shuttling cars should take less than half an hour. After putting in at the Charlie Lollis Memorial Park, there are few-to-no rapids as the river enters Boyd's Millpond. The take out is river left and will be easily spotted from the lake. There is no portage around the Boyd's Millpond Dam available at this time, so paddlers are required to take out at the Karl H. Dixon Memorial Park. Because there is no portage around the dam, this is the last section that is accessible on the Reedy River. The next access point is along the mouth of Lake Greenwood at Riverfork Road Landing Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp.

Waterway:

Reedy River

Upstream Trip (1)

Reedy River: Dunklin Bridge Road (Unofficial) to Charlie Lollis Memorial Park

Downstream Trip (1)

Reedy River: Riverfork Road Landing Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp

Comments (5)

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Walter Caldwell

Jul 31, 2021 9:35 pm EDT

31 July 2021, flat water, site listed as below runnable but I never had water not floating my Kayak. Some trees down but it looked like someone had cut a path. I made this trip in under an hour and a half.

Schanon Smith

Aug 01, 2020 8:29 am EDT

Went on June 29th was a great paddle but there are a lot of trees down and on completely across river when you see it get to the right ASAP so you can actually pull kayaks over the tree

Sherry Hampton

Jun 17, 2020 1:37 pm EDT

I write this in hopes that a group will adopt this section of river to remove the multiple downed trees that make this river dangerous for recreational use. We put in at Charlie Lollis Memorial Park for relaxing family trip. We had 3 kayaks and 4 tubes. We checked water level which was around average. We expected a few down trees but nothing like we encountered. Multiple trees down, some areas trees down every 30’ to 40’. One tree completely crosses river with 3 to 4’ or trash floating in front of tree. One of our kayaks got sideways at this tree, it flipped and kayaker was being swept under tree. Kayaker kept coming up for air in middle of trash while trying to keep body from being swept under tree. The swift action of our eldest son prevented a potential tragic event that would have changed our family forever. This area of the river is advertised for recreational use, level 1 rapids, with easy access points in and out of the river. It has great potential of being an excellent recreational area for tubing, kayaking and fishing for families. All water activities come with risk but this area of the river could be safer with the help of the community. Hopefully this will encourage a group to clean up the river and warn others of its potential dangers. We Thank God for protecting our family and for a lesson that will hopefully stay with us for a lifetime. “That a simple trip on the water can turn tragic within seconds, always have a little fear, expect the unexpected and be prepared!”

Tanya Towne

Jun 16, 2020 8:44 pm EDT

As of 2 days ago, the river was flat with no sand bars. Several sweeper and downed trees but nothing across the river. A very nice run for beginners or just to relax.

Brandon Burdette

Jun 29, 2017 9:55 pm EDT

Flat water all the way. Shallow with many sand bars and sweeper and downed trees.