Chimney Island Blueway

# 31 - Chimney Island
-BEST Camping on the-Santee-Cooper Lakes !!-

Rated: Easy

4.4 miles, round-trip

Get ready for the absolute BEST kayak and canoe

camping on Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie! That's

right, Chimney Island has long been known by the

locals as the unrivaled place to pitch your tent or

hammock for the night. Located just a couple miles

north of Spiers Landing, it's an easy and stunning
-paddle. You'll cross through cypress and tupelo
-thickets, see thousands of blooming aquatic plants
-in warmer months, and the wildlife never disappoints-
-with an abundance of egrets, herons, ospreys and-
-the occasional bald eagle. Go for just a day trip or-
-pack a couple of nights' gear; the Chimney Island-
-Blueway has something for every paddler!-

IMPORTANT!! PRINT Boat Ramp Parking Sign

Click Here for a Downloadable Chimney Island Kayaking Guide

GPX Paddling Route for your GPS

Berkeley Blueways Map - ALL Trails

Difficulty: Easy.

Distance: 4.4 miles, round-trip, but best suited as exploration.

Time: 2 - 3 hours.

Crowds: Can vary from light to heavy depending on motor boat traffic.

Put In / Take Out: Spiers Landing Boat Ramp, 1505 Spiers Landing Road, Cross, SC 29436. GPS: 33.395937, -80.197160 or 33°23’45.4”N, 80°11’49.8”W. Directions: If you search “Spiers Landing Boat Ramp,” all

GPS mapping applications recognize this location. PHOTO of BOAT RAMP.

Alternative Launch Point: You can also launch from the privately owned Harry's Fish Camp, located at

320 Harrys Camp Road, Pineville, SC 29468. 843-351-4561. There is a $5.00 park and launch fee. If you

choose to launch from Harry's, paddle west, tracing the shoreline of Chimney Island. You'll reach the

Chimney Island campsite in approximately 1.6 miles. This is a far less scenic route to the island but a

much safer route if there are higher winds. GPS: 33.412528, -80.151278 or 33°24'45.1"N 80°09'04.6"W.

Campsite Location: The campsite is located on the far west end of the island. CLICK HERE.

GPS: 33.414444, -80.175222 or 33°24'52.0"N 80°10'30.8"W.

Current: If you get out into the open water, east of the islands, there could be a small current in the south direction.

Tidal Influence: None.

Trees Down or Other Obstructions? If you come across downed trees, limbs or other obstructions while paddling

this blueway, please let us know. We can often facilitate removing it. Contact us at 843-433-0361 or 843-719-4146.

Precautions: You’ll have protection from some winds with the islands, however, there are plenty of open spaces in Lake Marion where winds can intensify resulting in waves/whitecaps.

Water Level: For this Blueway paddle trail, water level is not much of a concern because of open waters. Lake Marion Water Levels, click HERE.

So Much History Nearby: Did you know Berkeley County has more than 110 historical markers and historical points of interest? CLICK HERE to find your Adventures in History!