In Aiken State Park, the South Fork Edisto River meanders for an easy 1.7 miles between two canoe landings. It’s an opportunity to make a shorter excursion on a river that usually takes days. The surrounding land in Aiken State Park is a combination of river swamp and dry sandhills, with the latter area offering evidence of an era when the ocean pushed this far inland.

The park is extremely popular among fisherman and campers because of the easy river access and four spring-fed lakes. However, paddlers have the extra bonus of a cleared canoe path, giving people a chance to explore the South Fork’s narrow waters. In the state park, the river doesn’t have the width of the lower Main Stem. Instead, a tight channel delves through a canopy of trees for an unusual tunnel effect. Signs will guide you along the way.

Camping: Call 1-866-345-PARK (7275) or go online at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com to make your reservations today!

From Aiken: Drive southeast on US 78 to Windsor and turn left onto State Park Road (Aiken County S-2-53). An access is at the landing, near the bridge, which crosses the Edisto River within the park. Two docks within the park are also access points.