Water Activities
Boating and tubing are allowed in the forest.
Boating - Motorized
USDA Forest Service allows motorized boating on many of its lakes and rivers, with boat ramps and launching piers available at some locations, though regulations and restrictions vary by area.
Boating - Non-Motorized
The USDA Forest Service allows non-motorized boating (canoes, kayaks, etc.) on many of its lakes and rivers, with specific areas and regulations varying by forest and location.
Floating or paddling through the forests is the perfect way to view wildlife and take in the beauty of riparian vegetation. During spring flows, kayaking and canoeing opportunities are the best in many of our waterways.
Search for Water Activities Opportunities
Andrew Pickens Ranger District
Site Open
The Andrew Pickens Ranger District is home to the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River, a popular angling and whitewater destination. The Ellicott Rock Wilderness offers opportunities for solitude and…
Awendaw Creek Canoe Trail
This brackish water creek travels inland through saltmarsh carrying paddlers under Hwy. 17 and through the forest. Depending on the water level, the creek diminishes in the cypress/tupelo swamp near…
Broad River
The Broad River flows along the eastern side of the Enoree District within the Sumter National Forest. Called the Broad River since 1745, the river once was a boundary between the Cherokee and…
Buck Hall Recreation Area
Site Open
This premier recreation area is situated on the site of the old Buck Hall plantation just six miles southeast of McClellanville. Its location on the Intracoastal Waterway provides the best access to…
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River
Site Open
Forest Service finalizes regulatory updates for portions of Chattooga Wild and Scenic RiverUSDA Forest Service recently finalized an update to regulatory measures at 36 CFR 261.77 for the Chattooga…
Chicken Creek Canoe Trail
This 8.2-mile canoe trail takes the paddler down the historic Santee river, through the fast moving confines of Chicken Creek, back onto the Santee and up Wambaw Creek to the bridge at Echaw Road.…
Echaw Creek Canoe Trail
This small blackwater creek winds through magnificent oak-hickory stands and cypress-tupelo swamps. Opportunities for viewing bobcats, owls, wild turkeys and more occur at every bend. The abundance…
Enoree Ranger District
The Enoree is well-known for its recreation opportunities on the Enoree, Tyger and Broad rivers, as well as a challenging Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trail. It also offers outstanding hiking, boating,…
Enoree River Canoe Trail
The Enoree River flows through the scenic piedmont section of the Sumter National Forest. Some know the Enoree River as “River of Muscadines.” Visitors will see steep hardwood bluffs, bottomland…
Francis Marion National Forest
2019 Recreation Fee IncreasesNews ReleaseQ & A's