To the north, you can paddle several miles to the Santee River. At this point, you can either paddle back to Pitch Landing or continue down the Santee River and take out at McConnell’s Landing. This will require positioning a vehicle in advance or arranging for pickup. Echaw Creek is primarily bordered by cypress swamp, other than some high ground on the right side of the stream. The east bank of the stream is private property, and the west side is National Forest property. Echaw Creek contains some of the largest and oldest cypress trees you will see in Berkeley County. Wildlife is abundant in this area, with white-tailed deer and wood duck spotted frequently.

If you choose to paddle the Santee River to McConnell’s Landing, you will come to Battery Warren, approximately one half of a mile from where the creek joins the river. Battery Warren is a picturesque stop with nice river views from the original earth mounds of the civil war fort, as well as plaques that detail the fort’s history. An easy half of an hour paddle below Battery Warren you will come to McConnell’s Landing on your right bank. The concrete landing has ample parking, and camping is permitted in the cleared area north of the of the landing.

Hours: Dawn to dusk. Check with the Sewee Visitor Center for conditions.

Access Points (mileage and GPS coordinates are approximate and for reference only):

Mile 0 - (GPS N 33.2472 W 79.5772) - Pitch Landing - From McClellanville, drive west on French Santee Road (SC 45). Drive 12 miles and turn right onto Price Landing Road (FS 151). Drive 2.5 miles and turn right onto Pitch Landing Road (FS 192) and the landing is .7 mile.

Mile 2.7 - (GPS N 33.2558 W 79.5472) - Santee River

Mile 5.0- (GPS N 33.2457 W 79.5211) - McConnel's Landing - From McClellanville, drive north on US 17 for 6.5 miles, and turn left at the Hampton Plantation sign onto Charleston County S-10-857 (S-10-857 becomes FS 204 near the county line). Stay on FS 204 and turn right onto McConnel’s Landing Road (FS 204 F) and continue to the landing.