Chicken Creek

Chicken Creek is accessed by launching at McConnel’s Landing on McConnel’s Landing Road off of Forest Service Road 204B in the Francis Marion National Forest.  Paddle about 4 miles down the Santee River from the landing until you reach the mouth of Chicken Creek on the right hand side of the river.  You can consult the accompanying map to help identify the creek entrance.  During the river portion of our trip, we spotted several uncommon swallowtail kites as well as bald eagles and alligators.

Upon entering Chicken Creek, you will be greeted by a lovely narrow meandering stream of water with lush thickly grown banks.  It has a definite feel of wilderness and must be much as it was when the Swamp Fox frequented these forests causing grief to the invading British forces.  A short distance into the creek a narrow stream to your right offers an interesting side tour.  It was easily navigable for about ½ mile and well worth the effort.  You can see this stream on the accompanying map.  Upon return to Chicken Creek proper, you can enjoy a pleasant paddle of about two miles before rejoining the Santee River.  Other than the occasional wood duck nesting boxes that have been placed in the area, it is easy to get the feeling that you are the first to ever lay eyes on this lovely stream.  It certainly has not been marred by the hand of man.  Alligators were common in the creek as were anhinga’s, the cormorant like fishing birds that frequent much of the low country waters.  Upon reentering the Santee River, it is an easy half mile trip to the mouth of  Wambaw Creek on your right.  Elmwood Landing is  two miles upstream from this point and offers the closest take out for this trip.  The landing is adjacent to the bridge.  It will be necessary to position a vehicle at Elmwood Landing or to arrange for a pickup.  The trip paddled as described would be 8.2 miles.  It is also practical if desired to paddle from the takeout at Elmwood Landing, down Wambaw Creek to the Santee River, up river to Chicken Creek and explore it in that manner.  If you choose to paddle up and back down Chicken Creek and back to Elmwood, the distance will be about 9.4 miles.  If you decide to paddle the Santee upstream to the mouth of Chicken Creek and return through the creek, the distance will increase to about 11.5 miles.  This is still a very practical distance for a day trip taking about 5 to 6 hours of paddling time and does not require staging a second vehicle or arranging for a pickup.  As can be seen on the accompanying map, Elmwood Landing is located on Forest Service road 204 adjacent to the bridge.