Upper Wadboo Creek
This section of Wadboo Creek is accessed from the Henry Brown Bridge on the Palmetto Trail. Take highway 52 west from Moncks Corner to the highway 17A turnoff to Jamestown. Follow 17A 4.1 miles turning right at the Wadboo Paddle Trail sign into the Francis Marion National Forest. Travel .9 miles to road’s end and there will be an easily discerned section of the Palmetto Trail on your left. The Henry Brown Bridge is a 300 yard portage down the trail. A launching ramp has been added to the right hand side of the bridge for paddle craft.
This upper section of Wadboo Creek can be challenging, particularly during periods of low water when it may become necessary to exit your craft to portage obstructions. Well worth the effort, this lovely cypress swamp is much as it was over two centuries ago when Francis Marion and his brigade of men frequented the area. Under the stewardship of Santee Cooper this corridor has been placed in a conservation trust to preserve its pristine beauty. Santee Cooper has placed small yellow diamond shaped trail markers bearing the likeness of a canoe throughout the trail. About halfway through, they have designated and marked an area for primitive camping. In addition, Santee Cooper periodically clears storm debris from the area making it a more enjoyable trip. Shortly beyond the camping area, the creek will open a bit making for easier paddling. You will see remnants of dikes and canals from the rice field era. You will pass several limestone bluffs along the banks shortly before coming to the takeout at Rembert C. Dennis Landing on highway 402. It will be necessary to either stage a vehicle here or to arrange for pickup. For less adventurous paddlers, a very pleasant trip can be had by launching at Dennis Landing and paddling upstream. Total distance from Henry Brown Bridge to Rembert C. Dennis Landing is about 5 miles. Typical wildlife sightings on this trail include white tailed deer, turkey, and small alligators.
Directions to William Dennis Landing