Catawba River Expeditions
803.327.9335
TRIPS
Check Schedule Page to determine shuttle service schedule.  Descriptions are offered as suggestions if you have your own boat and need ideas!



Lake Wylie Dam to River Walk
**Note that  River Walk and River Park are two separate loactions on the Catawba River...River Walk is downstream from the Dam, and River Park is further downstream from River Walk**

Weblink for Riverwalk

Difficulty:    Easy!  
Miles:   3.62  
Float time:  1.5 to 2  hours depending on your paddle/play style

Trip:   This float begins at the Lake Wylie Dam in Fort Mill SC and passes under the I-77 bridge, ending at River Walk just past the 21 bridge in Rock Hill SC.   This is a beautiful stretch of river - we've seen eagles, deer, otters, geese, osprey, heron and lots of fish.  Most beginners do well on this section, but be aware there is moving water and rocks to manuever around.  Depending on water level, you may get a few fun riffles or rapids, but mostly this is a pretty calm, flat stretch of water with lots of big rocks.  After your float, you may want to enjoy the beautiful Riverwalk park for a picnic or walk the trails along the river.

The river is dam-controlled, and the water levels are varied. We cannot guarantee what water levels may be.

Where to meet: 
  • If you are a small group (less than 3) we meet you at River Walk to shuttle you to the Dam. 
  • If you have a larger group, we will ask you to please drive to the parking area of the Wylie Dam directionsand drop off your people/coolers/etc (unless, of course, all your people are children).
  • Your people-in-waiting can enjoy the shade and dip their toes in the water while we shuttle drivers back to the dam.   We will meet your one driver at Riverwalk, you'll leave your vehicle there and ride our shuttle up to the dam.  Your vehicle will be there waiting for you when you're done paddling.


Lake Wylie Dam to River Park
Difficulty:  *Moderately Easy, suitable for adventuresome beginners...Our Most Popular Trip!
Miles:   6.50  
Float time:  2 to 3 hours
Trip:   This float begins at the Lake Wylie Dam in Fort Mill SC and passes under the I-77 and US 21 bridges (past Riverwalk), and ends at River Park in Rock Hill SC.   This is a beautiful stretch of river - we've seen eagles, deer, otters, geese, osprey, heron and lots of fish.  Most beginners do well on this section, but be aware there is moving water and rocks to manuever around.  Depending on water level, you may get a few fun riffles or rapids, but mostly this is a pretty calm, flat stretch of water with lots of big rocks.  The river is dam-controlled, and the water levels are varied. We cannot guarantee what water levels may be.

Where to meet: 
  • If you are a small group (less than 4) we meet you at River Park to shuttle you to the Dam. 
  • If you have a larger group, we will ask you to please drive to the parking area of the Wylie Dam (Click here for directions) and drop off your people/coolers/etc (unless, of course, all your people are children).
  • Your people-in-waiting can enjoy the shade and dip their toes in the water while we shuttle drivers back to the dam.   We will meet your one driver at River Park, you'll leave your vehicle there and ride our shuttle up to the dam.  Your vehicle will be there waiting for you when you're done paddling.




River Park to Landsford Canal State Park  
Miles:  18.21
Float time:  6-10 hours depending on water level
Difficulty:  Moderate, mostly because of length of float

Description:  This is a beautiful and long float, beginning at River Park in Rock Hill and ending at Landsford Canal State Park in Chester.  Trip goes past Catawba Indian Nation, Sun City, Hwy. 5 and Bowater.  Need to launch early to  make it to Landsford before closing time, make sure you take more water and sunscreen than you expect to need, several people come back parched and sunburned.


Landsford Canal State Park Trips
(Mid-May through mid-June)
(2 options)

Option 1:  Landsford Canal Upriver

Miles: Undetermined - depends on you -up to three hours
Difficulty:  SUPER easy
Description:  A beautiful float, we always see eagles!  Put in at the main parking area of Landsford Canal State Park.  Paddle upstream as far as you want, then paddle back down to the park.  There is very little current and lots of water, so the upstream paddle is very, very  easy.  Hwy 5 bridge is 5 miles upstream.  Perfect for canoes, great for beginners, a nice paddling workout for experienced paddlers.  Children of all ages welcome on this float with their parents - any experience level is perfect.  This trip is essentially a "round trip" with no need for a shuttle.


Option 2:  "Spider Lily Section"
Map for Landsford Canal State Park

Difficulty:  *Very difficult - Paddling experience required*
Miles:  2.3
Float time:  1-2 hours, depending on water level

During Lily Season we are unable to assist with shuttle of cars/people, we always get blocked in and can't move in the parking lot.  So....

You have three options for parking: 
(1) Bring two vehicles...leave a car at the take out parking area (Canal Road) and then drive your other car to the main park.  We will meet you down at the river's edge with your boats/life jackets/paddles.  This option has you with a vehicle at both put-in and take-out parking areas.

(2)  Drive through main park down to the river parking area (where bathrooms/log cabin/playground located) and meet us at the river's edge.  We will get you on the water with gear and instructions/map.  After your float you will walk that 1.25 mile easy path back to the main park to your car. Leave the boats at the top of the take-out trail, we'll grab them as soon as possible.

(3)  Drive to the take out parking area (Canal Road) and walk the 1.25 mile, easy trail to the main park area to meet us at the river's edge.  With this option your car will be there waiting for you at the end of your float.

At the launch, we will provide you with a map and the following instructions:
We suggest that you paddle upriver through the calm, flat water so that you can go around the huge island indicated on the map.  There are some small shoals on the other side of the island, and it makes your journey to the lilies longer and more enjoyable.  If you just go straight down to the lilies you'll be done in 45 minutes, so go around the big island to stretch out your trip! 

When you come to the southern end of the island, you'll see another island ahead of you downriver on river left. The lilies will be on the right side of the island.  You will need to find your way through the "rock garden" to get there.  If you are an experienced paddler, there is a fun rapid on the left side of that island (Staircase Rapid).  This is NOT for beginners, as it makes it very difficult to get to river right, where you'll need to be to see the take-out.   There is an orange arrow after this island to remind you to head right, toward the lilies.  Don't go past this arrow or you won't be able to make it to the take out.

The overlook indicates the middle of the lily plot, and is a reminder that you should pull over on some rocks, carefully secure your boats so they won't leave you, and take lots of pictures! (But take no flowers.) Paddle to the overlook and head down on the right side of the river to find that take out.

As you make your way downriver after your time in the lilies, you must aboslutely be on the right side of the river.  You'll note an orange arrow on an island, which is there to point toward the other arrows that will indicate the take out creek.  Seeing this first arrow will alert you to look right to see the creek, which is marked by one or two arrows and streamers.  GO IN THIS CREEK!  It's the only way to get to the take-out point without having to drag your boat upriver to your car. 

The creek water moves pretty quickly and requires some maneuvering around obstacles.  You'll see another arrow hanging in a tree pointing to the right, and this is where your trip ends.  Please pull your boats up out of the water and onto shore, making sure you leave room for those that come behind you.  If we aren't there when you come in, please secure your paddles and life jackets with the boats , take the boats up the trail and leave them in the grassy area at the top of the hill, near the parking lot. We will be there shortly to retrieve them.  Go up the trail to the parking lot where your car will be waiting for you. 



Highway 9 to Cane Creek
Miles: Undetermined - depends on you!
Difficulty:  Super easy
Description:  Put in at public boat landing at Hwy. 9 bridge.  Paddle upstream for awhile (3 miles) and then back down, or head down 1 mile to Cane Creek on river left.  You can paddle Cane Creek for a few miles, a wide, gorgeous creek that becomes almost tropical in feel.  You'll see many birds and other wildlife.  ANY age, ANY experience level. You don't need us for this float, it's a "round trip."