# 12 Santee River 4: Jamestown to McConnell’s Landing — Rated: Moderate, 11 Miles

Click Here for Downloadable Santee River # 4 Trail Guide

Click Here for COMPLETE Downloadable Berkeley Blueways Guidebook

Summary: This is a pretty section of the Santee River. It ranges from 50 yards in width to a little over 100 yards. It is bordered by uninhabited high bluffs and cypress swamps. Much of it is bordered on the right side by the Francis Marion National Forest, and you’ll have the opportunity to visit the Battery Warren, a Civil War-era fort built to protect a railroad bridge.

Difficulty: Moderate, due to distance

Distance: 11 miles

Time: 4 – 5 hours

Crowds: Heavy. The Jamestown Landing and this section of the river is used heavily by motorized boats; however, the river is wide enough where you shouldn’t be affected. You’re likely not to see many other paddlers on this trip.

Boat Type: Kayaks or canoes 12-feet or longer. Paddle boards are not recommended.

NOTE: Requires staging 2 vehicles or arranging pickup!

Put In: Jamestown Landing, US-17/41 ALT, Jamestown, SC 29453. GPS: 33.303510, -79.679659 or 33°18’12.6”N, 79°40’46.8”W

Take Out: McConnell’s Landing (note: some mapping/GPS applications call this “Pleasant Hill Landing), Forest Service Road 204-F, Jamestown, SC 29453. GPS: 33.244908, -79.520938 or 33°14’41.7”N, 79°31’15.4”W

Fees/Permits: None

Current: Flows downriver in a southeast direction.

Tidal Influence: Yes, tide is approximately 3 hours behind Charleston Harbor tide table.

Precautions: Motorized boats near Jamestown. While normally not a problem for paddlers, dam water releases could inundate sandbars. Call 800-925-2537 for scheduled releases. It’s advisable to wear bright orange during hunting season in the Francis Marion National Forest.

Water Level: For this Blueway paddle trail, the Jamestown Santee water level should be between 5-10 ft. Santee River Water Levels, click HERE. Further, the Lake Marion Tailrace gauge height should be less than 32.00 with a discharge rate of less than 2,000 cubic feet per second. For gauge height, click HERE. For discharge rate, click HERE.