Wateree River Blue Trail

The Wateree River Blue Trail, which is in its early stages of development, will serve as a model for working with land trusts to educate landowners about the importance of healthy rivers and protecting key landscapes.

The Wateree trail begins near Camden and winds 75 miles to meet the Congaree River Blue Trail at Congaree National Park. The initial 8-mile segment, dominated by rocky shoals, changes downstream with increasing sinuosity as it flows through floodplain forests. Its east bank is bordered by Manchester State Forest and Poinsett State Park for the lower third of the trail. The newest addition to Congaree National Park lies on the west side of the river for the trail's final 10 miles. Due to its extensive floodplain there is little development along the river. It is possible to paddle for days without seeing a soul.

Together, the Congaree & Wateree River Blue Trails offer the best opportunities for multi-day river recreation and camping east of the Mississippi. As support for these blue trails grows so too will a strong conservation ethic among their visitors. Blue trails like these ignite recognition that these rivers provide a great place for recreation and are places worth protecting

• Wateree Interpretative Guide and Wateree River map coming soon!