Turkey-Stevens Canoe Trail: SC Hwy 283 to Key Bridge

Skill Level: Moderate

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Rapids: Class I

Length: 4.20 miles

Duration: 2.5 - 4 hours

Portaging: No

What to Expect

This US National Forest paddling trail along Turkey and Stevens Creeks shows off a mix of rocky shoals and steep bluffs typically found along Piedmont streams with cypress trees and floodplain forests more common in the coastal plain. Small rapids and some downed trees keep you on your paddling toes.

Access

Put in:

SC Hwy 283 (Plum Branch Rd)

SC Hwy 283, Edgefield, SC

Access Details

Limited parking area is on the east side of the creek, south of the road.

Take out:

Key Bridge (Price's Bottom)

Prices Bottom

Access Details

The Prices Bottom area provides access to multiple activities including hiking, biking, and Turkey Creek. The dirt road turnoff to this access is 0.1 miles south of the bridge.

Trip Details

This section is entirely on Turkey Creek. Steep hardwood bluffs, flood pain forests and small marshy areas are a few of the varied habitats that visitors will encounter on this trail located on the southeastern part of the Long Cane Ranger District.

Interesting plants such as bloodroot, anemone and the crane-fly orchid, and wildlife including hawks,
raccoons and turkeys, are a few of the things that can be seen by boaters.

Free permit required for overnight camping. This canoe trail is extremely dangerous at flood stage. Water levels rise quickly after heavy rains. Check local weather conditions. Learn the terrain and know access points. Portaging may be required over fallen trees.

Waterway:

Turkey Creek (Sumter NF)

Downstream Trip (1)

Turkey-Stevens Canoe Trail: Key Bridge to Modoc Bridge

Comments (4)

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Paula Cumalander

Apr 10, 2024 3:34 pm EDT

Paddled on April 6, 2024. Level was 3.91ft. After scouting the put in (wooded steps were rotted and a steep bank to the water), we decided to go across the bridge and put in across from the one listed. It was still a little steep, but not as bad. This was a great water level, river was flowing with a few ripples and class I rapids. The river was wide enough to avoid any strainers. This is a beautiful river with some big rocks and high banks. We took out between the 2 bridges. Due to recent flood levels, this was a very, very slippery bank. We had to use ropes to get ourselves and the kayaks up it.

Rebecca Brown

Mar 11, 2024 1:29 pm EDT

Paddled this section yesterday with 2 kayaks and a canoe. Water was at 14'. Good flow - there was one tree across the creek that we barely squeaked under on the far right. Otherwise, river was clear. Most difficult aspect was putting in - wooden stairs down to he water were unusable due to mud. We used a rope to slide down the bank. Trip took about 2 hrs.

Mary Caddell

Apr 15, 2021 9:13 pm EDT

Key Bridge Road is closed at present as bridge is being replaced. 4/14/21. No access from Modoc side

Rebecca Brown

May 01, 2020 9:10 pm EDT

Paddled it at 11' today, 5/1/20. There was a log jam that will be challenging as water goes down. It looks possible to portage around. Took 2 hrs taking it easy with a couple short stops.