South Carolina Waterways

Day 1

From your base in Beaufort [2], spend the day kayaking the inlet at Hunting Island State Park [3], where portions of Forrest Gump were filmed. Then enjoy the scenic beach itself, concluding with a view from the top of the lighthouse.

Day 2

Kayak the ACE Basin [4] today, touring the Edisto River—the longest blackwater river in the world—on a guided trip with Carolina Heritage Outfitters [5]. Spend the night in one of their little treehouses.

Day 3

Begin with a stop at the Ernest W. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge [4] and see how the old rice paddies have been used as a migratory bird haven. Then head to Charleston [6] and visit the South Carolina Aquarium [7] to learn more about the entire state’s vibrant, water-oriented ecosystem. Rest in luxury at a swank Charleston B&B [8] tonight.

Day 4

After your big Lowcountry breakfast head a short ways north to the Sewee Visitor Center at the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge [9] and see their family of rare red wolves. Then stop by Hobcaw Barony [10] and take a guided kayak tour of the excellently preserved marsh there. Stay in cute little Conway [11] and dine on the Riverwalk along the blackwater Waccamaw tonight.

Day 5

Head into the Midlands [12], first making a brief but educational stop at the well-preserved Carolina Bay at the Woods Bay State Natural Area [13] near Florence, right off I-95. Before hitting Columbia [14] for the night, visit the stunning Congaree National Park [15] and its old-growth cypress swamp right outside of the state’s capital city.

Day 6

Enjoy some whitewater rafting [16] this morning on the Broad and Saluda rivers, which run through Columbia. Then spend the afternoon at the nationally renowned Riverbanks Zoo and Garden [17].

Day 7

Head to the Upstate [18] and choose between camping or a cabin at Devil’s Fork State Park (161 Holcombe Cir., 864/944-2639, www.southcarolinaparks.com [19]), which provides the only public access to beautiful Lake Jocasee at the base of the Blue Ridge. The folks at Jocasee Outdoor Center (516 Jocassee Lake Rd., Salem, 864/944-9016, www.jocaseeoutdoorcenter.com [20]) will hook you up with a fishing boat rental so you can enjoy a peaceful day of angling on Lake Jocasee. If fishing isn’t your bag, take a drive to several scenic waterfalls in the area.

Day 8

Today’s the day for hiking at your choice of Table Rock State Park (158 E. Ellison Ln., 864/878-9813, www.southcarolinaparks.com [19]) in the Mountain Bridge Natural Wilderness Area (8155 Geer Hwy., 864/836-6115, www.southcarolinaparks.com [19]) or on the Foothills Trail along the Blue Ridge Escarpment.

Day 9

Conclude your trip with a bang by taking the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC 11) over to the wild and scenic Chattooga River (www.rivers.gov/wsr-chattooga.html [21]) for an equally wild and scenic day of more whitewater rafting.