top of page

 # 1 - Santee Canal 

 

 

 Rated: Moderate 

 6.4 miles, round-trip 

 

 With its inception in 1796, the Santee Canal offers a lot 

 for the keen history buff. One of the engineers was none 

 other than General George Washington. The original 

 canal was 22 miles in length, but after Lake Moultrie was 

 formed, there remains a beautiful 2.5 mile section of the canal. 

DSC_7367.jpg

Difficulty:  Moderate, only due to distance and crossing open water. 

Distance:  6.4 miles, round-trip.

Time3 - 4 hours.

Crowds:  Very light. You will see motorized boats/anglers. Almost guaranteed not to see anyone else in the canal. 

Put In / Take Out:  Angel's Landing Marina, 1556 Viper Road, Pineville, SC 29468. 800-315-3087. GPS: 33.381196, -80.091654 or 33°22’52.3”N, 80°05’30.0. PHOTO of BOAT RAMP.

Fees/Permits:  $5.00 parking at Angel's Landing (as of Summer 2025).

 

Current:  Negligible, generally a 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:  Winds above 10 MPH can be tough for a paddler on Lake Moultrie. There is a lot of open water for wind to intensify and cause waves/whitecaps. There are hundreds of tree stumps just inches below the water’s surface. These can flip a paddler if a boat gets wedged on top. Tip: these stumps can usually be seen with polarized sunglasses.

Water Level:  For this Blueway paddle trail, water level is not as much of a concern until you get further up into the canal. You can float the canal, even the upper part, above 73.50. Lake Moultrie Water Levels, click HERE.

History on the Blueway:  The Santee Canal was one of the earliest canals built in the United States. It provided a direct water route between Charleston and Columbia. The canal was 22 miles long and it had two double locks and eight single locks.

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!

Weather on the Trail:  Click HERE

weather-symbol-png-5.png
31-DSC_6967.jpg

  Santee Canal PHOTO GALLERY  

BSWCD+LOGO.png
Original on Transparent.png

-100% ORIGINAL Berkeley County PHOTOGRAPHY on This Site!-

 

Berkeley Outdoor Life is a proud program of the

Berkeley Soil & Water Conservation District and

Berkeley County Government.

223 East Main Street, Suite B

Moncks Corner, SC 29461

www.berkeleysoilandwater.com

​​

843-433-0361

Program Administrator, call or text

843-719-4146 office

info@berkeleysoilandwater.com

 

compplanb_edited_edited.png

© 2021 - 2025 Berkeley Soil & Water Conservation District

bottom of page