The Wateree River provides excellent opportunities for solitude on the river. Twist along the eastern bluff of the valley with the vast Wateree River floodplain to the west. 

This trip would make for a long day trip, but can be enjoyed as a nice overnight trip when the flows are low enough to reveal sand bars along river bends. While the bluffs that the river flows up against are industrially developed in some places, the forested bluffs keep most of the development out of site. The exception is SCE&G's Wateree Station, a coal-fired power plant. The floodplain to the west is vast and undeveloped. Development along this stretch is very little, so you can expect plenty of solitude, especially as you move farther downstream of the boat ramp. 

Along this trip, you will pass the Wateree Section of the Palmetto Trail and Manchester State Forest to the west in the floodplain. Four miles above the confluence with the Congaree, the Wateree River forms the eastern boundary of Congaree National Park (river right). 

Once you reach the Congaree confluence, you will paddle approximately 2 miles upstream to the HWY 601 landing. 

This trip is rated moderate because of the wilderness quality, lack of amenities for emergencies, and the distance between accesses.