Great Falls + Stumpy Pond is good SC day trip for whitewater rafting, gator-free kayaking

The Lowcountry is known for the beauty and accessibility of its myriad waterways. Slow-moving blackwater rivers flow tannin-brown to the sea through swampy bottomlands and cypress forests. Salty estuaries surround emerald Sea Islands with a tidal flow that makes both the calendar and the clock important to even the simplest boat or kayaking excursion. If one wants to experience whitewater — the joy of “falling waters” cascading over fall line rocks — a trip to the Piedmont or mountains is in order. However, such destinations can be multiple hours away and impossible for a day trip or weekend visit.

The town of Great Falls on the Catawba River on the edge of the Piedmont region offers an opportunity to do just that and be home in time for your evening walk. Earlier this year, the Great Falls Whitewater Park opened to the public and offers a venue for whitewater kayaking and rafting.

Created as part of a multi-year effort by Duke Energy to restore and re-engineer the shoals at Great Falls, it seeks to protect the waterways as well as provide outdoor recreation opportunities. The park consists of a paperclip-shaped run with class 3 rapids, and another section with class 3 and class 4 waves. As visitors and outdoor enthusiasts benefit, so does the town of Great Falls and its local citizens.

First dammed in 1907, the river at Great Falls served the massive textile industry for decades. When the mills closed in the late 20th century, the region fell into decline. The dams remained, providing hydroelectric power for the area and preserving a unique reservoir environment of its own. One of these, known as Stumpy Pond, is a wonder to experience. Its placid waters are surrounded by granite cliffs and outcroppings and filled with lush, forested islands. On one of these lies the site of Fort Dearborn, a U.S. arsenal built in 1803 and designed by the same engineer who built the Old Santee Canal, a Lowcountry first.

Stumpy Pond is part of an 870-acre series of lakes, is rich in history and rich in nature as well. The waters teem with fish. Bass, bream, and other species make the lake an excellent place for fishing. The waters fairly boil with feeding panfish enjoying newly hatched clouds of mayflies, while heron, egret and osprey dart and dive after prey of their own.

There are no alligators in Stumpy Pond, and so it is a good place to take your four-legged friend on a boating expedition. I recently paddled Stumpy Pond with a group of friends and my 10-year-old beagle, Lucy. Launching in mid-morning from the Stumpy Pond boat ramp, we circumnavigated the beautiful lake, exploring coves and beneath rocky cliffs. A pair of bald eagles soared above, while an osprey dove in a watery spray. By lunch we were at the head of the lake where the reservoir meets the rocky shoals, where Lucy enjoyed a swim and a hike along a rocky trail.

The recently restored river flow cascaded over granite boulders and rippled along channels between small islands, producing a park-like environment. Indeed, a new state park is planned to open on the historic and aptly named Big Island by 2027, bringing more visitors to this beautiful and unique destination.

Mike Vaughn runs Great Falls Adventures, a local outfitter and guide. He provides kayaks for trips on Stumpy Pond as well as whitewater opportunities at the new park. “I recommend running the rapids in a raft. It is lots of fun and may be easier for beginners.” As the season draws to a close, Mike is planning for new business in spring as word of the park continues to spread.

If you would like to have a whitewater experience that is more convenient than a trip to the mountains, then Great Falls can be your next destination. Stumpy Pond and its connected waterways provide additional outdoor adventure of a quieter nature. Whatever your preference may be, a drive of only a few hours can provide a day of enjoyment for you and your four-legged friends.

Getting there

Great Falls is located 45 minutes north of Columbia off I-77 in Chester County and a little less than three hours from the Beaufort area. The whitewater park is located at the town on the river front and is free to the public. The Stumpy Pond boat ramp is located across the water in Lancaster County. To get there, take I-95 and I-26 to Columbia and I-77 north to Exit 48. Take S.C. 200 east to Great Falls. The ramp for Stumpy Pond is across the river. Take a right off S.C. 200 to S.C. 97 and a right on S.C. 29-20 to Bluefield Road.

There are no facilities at the boat ramp, but the town of Great Falls has restaurants and conveniences.

For more info on the Great Falls Whitewater Park or to book a trip, call Mike Vaughn at Great Falls Outfitters at (803) 899-2206 or visit greatfallsadventures.com.