Wambaw Creek

Wambaw creek is a pretty black water tidal creek located in the Francis Marion National Forest. It meanders through the Wambaw Creek Wilderness Area created in 1980. There are two public landings providing access to the creek. Still Landing is located on Forest Service Road FR 211B. The other landing is Elmwood Landing located on Forest Service Road FR 204 adjacent to the bridge. The distance between the landings is about 4 miles. You can extend the trip by paddling west above Still Landing toward the SC45 bridge or by paddling east of the Elmwood Landing to the South Branch of the Santee River. Keep in mind that the creek is tidal and planning your trip to coincide with the tidal flow will make the trip easier. For those desiring an overnight adventure, primitive camping is permitted at Elmwood Landing.

Located entirely within the boundaries of the National Forest, wildlife is abundant along the creek. The primary growth on the higher ground will be loblolly pine and along the creek itself the cypress will be the predominate growth. Many of the cypress trees along the banks are quite large and were there when Brigadier General Francis Marion and his Brigade roamed the area terrorizing the entire British Army in South Carolina. They would then vanish ghost-like into these swamps, explaining his well known nick name of the Swamp Fox. The area is heavily populated with whitetail deer and black bear have been sighted as well as the illusive Carolina panther. A quiet paddler will greatly increase his odds for sighting some of the abundant wildlife in the area.