Location & Canoeable Mileage -- For an epic
journey of about 140 miles that includes the Lumber, Little Pee Dee, and even some of the
tidewater on the Great Pee Dee and its distributaries, start out in Lumberton, NC.
It will take you about 10 days to work your way down the Lumber, Little Pee Dee, a few
miles on the Great Pee Dee, then down Bull Creek, and finally ending up on the Waccamaw
River (Intracoastal Waterway). Your final take out should be Wachesaw Landing, near
Murrells Inlet, SC. This trip will allow you to experience the evolution of the
river from a small winding stream to the tidal waters of the ICW. You will float
about 60 miles on the Lumber River, another 60 miles or so on the Little Pee Dee, 6 miles
on the Great Pee Dee, 10 miles on Bull Creek (really the main channel of the Great Pee
Dee), and 4 miles on the Waccamaw River. If you want a shorter trip and enjoy the
smaller river experience, take out at one of the many landings on the Little Pee
Dee. If you prefer the larger rivers but only have 6-7 days, start at Fair Bluff and
go all the way down!
A lot more of the upper Lumber River is canoeable
seasonally (over 60 miles, putting in as far upstream as the a public landing at route 401
or about seven miles farther upstream at Turnpike Road where Lumber River State Park
officially begins). This upper section can be wonderful paddling, but it is
dependent on good flow, and it is subject to blockage by fallen trees. Even farther
upstream, canoeists enjoy floats on Drowning Creek, the headwaters stream of the Lumber
River, when conditions allow.
Interesting Features -- This river system represents
an outstanding example of an Atlantic coastal black water stream. It flows through
dense forest and swamp lands. Common species of trees include abundant baldcypress,
water tupelo, black gum, and water oak. Due to the remote nature of most of this
run, the river has a near-wilderness quality. Where high ground is encountered
(rarely in some sections), you will see signs of development such as riverside
settlements. There are few long sections between bridges, so you are never too far
from civilization.
Though fast water may be encountered in spots, there are no
rapids on this trip. The most likely hazard to be encountered will be downed trees
that may obstruct your path. These are particularly prevalent in the upper section
of the Lumber River.
The
town of Fair Bluff offers an opportunity for a stop over for supplies or
just to look around.
Much of the lower Lumber and Little Pee Dee wind their way
through magnificent swamps, and there are innumerable sloughs, old river channels, and
lakes that can sometimes confuse paddlers as to which is the correct route. Take
heed of where most of the water seems to be going and which is the wider channel -- these
signs usually point the way. Navigation becomes even more difficult as the river
approaches tidal areas. A GPS is particularly helpful there.
The National Park Service site for Lumber National Wild
& Scenic River (see link below) has an excellent description of the flora and fauna
that you are likely to see on the river, as well as information on history, archaeology,
and the politics of river protection.
Camping -- On the upper sections of our recommended
trip (with low to moderate water levels) you will find sand bar camp sites along the
river. Farther downstream where there are few or no sand bars, camping will be more
difficult, but remote sites should be easy to find in most sections. Lumber River
State Park (see link below) has some designated camping locations. In South
Carolina, the land below the high bank is considered public. Camping is not
expressly forbidden at the public landings, and these may serve your purposes, though
there are generally no facilities and there is road access. In the swampy areas in
high water season camping is impossible except on rare patches of high ground. In
low water season, you will find minimally adequate remote camp spots even in the swamps.
On the upper Lumber River (above Lumberton), natural
campsites will be more difficult to find -- established public or private campsites may be
used. In places the upper river runs very close to US 74 and I-95, and more
development and signs of civilization will be encountered near those busy highways.
Additional Information:
