The approximately 57.0-mile Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail near Summerville is an easy trip on one of the state’s longest blackwater rivers. It certainly ranks among the prettiest anywhere, too. For much of its gentle and flat passage, the Edisto ambles along under huge live oaks draped in Spanish moss, stoic baldcypress, and water tupelo towering from the dark water. The Edisto is passable by canoes, but trees have a tendency to fall directly in the river’s main current. And while volunteers do a fine job of keeping the trail clear, you should still expect some portages and approach all logjams with caution. For most of your trip, a steady current helps keep things moving and there are many places to relax along the way. The river is abundant with red breast sunfish and other fauna including water snakes, alligator, kingfishers, great blue heron and egret. Float time on the Main Stem of the Edisto is roughly 15 hours.

Hours: Year-round; check with state parks for additional information. Both Colleton State Park and Givhans Ferry State Park are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily from April through October. They are open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from November through March.

Camping: Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State Park and Colleton State Park. Both sites have 25 campsites, which include water and electrical hookups and are convenient to hot showers and restrooms. Call 1-866-345-PARK (7275) or go online at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com to make your reservations today!

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

Mile 0 - Whetstone Crossroads - (GPS N 33.1777 W 80.8024) - The landing is at the Sandy Island Bridge and a fee may be charged. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive northwest on SC 61 for 10.7 miles to the intersection of SC 61 and US 21. Turn right onto US 21 and the bridge is .2 mile.

Mile 13.5 - Green Pond Church Landing - (GPS N 38.1270 W 80.6129) - Public landing on the right side of the river. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive northwest on SC 61approximately 3.5 miles and turn right to Green Pond Church Landing.

Mile 22.1 - Canadys Bridge - (GPS N33.0644 W 80.6129) - This is a public landing with a concrete ramp on the left side of the river. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 and turn right onto SC-61. Drive to the community of Canadys and turn left onto US 15, the bridge is 0.7 mile. Picnicking and camping are available at Colleton State Park.

Mile 31.3 - Stokes Bridge - (GPS N 33.0288 W 80.5243) -  Access/take-out is just below the bridge. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for 8.5 miles and turn left onto Colleton County S-15-21. The bridge is at the county line.

Mile 39.1 - Mars Old Field - (GPS N 33.0545 W 80.4492) - This is a public landing with a concrete ramp on the right side of the river. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for 13.8 miles and turn left onto Colleton County S-15-495. The landing is at the end of the road.

Mile 45.7 - Givhans Ferry State Park - (GPS N 33.0288 W 80.3917) - The landing is just above the SC 61 bridge. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for 16.7 miles to the bridge, which crosses the Edisto River. Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State Park.

Mile 47.9 - T. W. Messervy Landing - (GPS N 33.0071 W 80.4062) - This is a public landing with a concrete ramp on the left side of the river. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for 16.7 miles to the bridge, which crosses the Edisto River. Cross the bridge, drive .3 mile, and turn right onto Dorchester County S-18-162. Turn right onto the second dirt road and the landing is at the end. Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State Park.

Mile 52.7 - Good Hope Landing - (GPS N 32.9658 W 80.4178) - This is a public landing with a concrete ramp on the right side of the river. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for 15.9 miles to Givhans Ferry State Park and turn right onto Colleton County S-15-35. Drive 5.1 miles and turn left onto S-15-91. Turn left onto the first dirt road and the landing is at the end. Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State Park.

Mile 56.8 - Long Creek Landing - (GPS N 32.9332 W 80.4010) -  This is a public landing with a concrete ramp on the right side of the river. From Exit 68 on I-95 near Walterboro, drive southeast on SC 61 for 15.9 miles to Givhans Ferry State Park and turn right onto Colleton County S-15-35. Drive 5.1 miles and turn left onto S-15-91. Turn left onto the second dirt road and the landing is at the end. Camping is available at Givhans Ferry State Park.