Discover South Carolina’s Pee Dee Region By Water

The beautiful, fun, and exciting Pee Dee Region is South Carolina’s hidden gem—and its best-kept secret. Our region boasts some of the state’s top attractions, restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities.

Here, you’ll find the perfect mix of scenic parks and natural areas, all waiting to be explored. The seven unique counties that make up our great region offer an array of outdoor attractions and adventures at every turn—and some are best experienced on the water.

Whether you love to fish, paddle, swim, or simply soak up the scenery, you’re sure to enjoy a memory-filled experience on Pee Dee’s waterways.

Read on to learn more about the mighty rivers, sparkling lakes, and unforgettable excursions that await.

Freshwater Fishing Fun and Prime Paddling Adventures on Pee Dee’s Rivers

The Pee Dee region is home to four prominent rivers that offer the full gamut of fishing and paddling fun, along with unbeatable views of the area’s natural wonderlands.

The largest, the Great Pee Dee River (known to some as the Pee Dee or Big Pee Dee River), is a lengthy and wild stream on the Carolina Coastal Plain, stretching 232 miles from northwestern North Carolina—through six of the seven Pee Dee counties—all the way down to Winyah Bay in Georgetown County, SC.

Along this timeless river, visitors will find some of the Pee Dee region’s scenic swamps, beautiful forests, and most famous historic sites. The Great Pee Dee River boasts a wide variety of wildlife species—from alligators and deer to bobcats and bears—as well as an array of popular freshwater fish, including various catfish, bass, bream, and bowfin, among others. The wondrous sights and epic fun are never ending!

And there’s even more fishing and sightseeing adventures waiting just around the corner. The Pee Dee Region’s other three rivers—the Little Pee Dee, Black River, and Lynches Rivers—each connect at different points with the Great Pee Dee River, offering more wildlife sightings and fantastic fishing opportunities.

Explore every bend in these rivers by boat or by paddle. As long as you’re on the water, you know you’re in for a good time! Bring your own watercraft or rent one from a local outfitter

SC Revolutionary Rivers Trail

Your Pee Dee River adventure wouldn’t be complete without carving out some time to experience the SC Revolutionary Rivers Trail.

This nearly 70-mile-long route winds from Lynches River County Park in Florence County to the Great Pee Dee River and is an official National Recreation Trail. What really makes this water trail special is the unique opportunity it offers visitors to experience Pee Dee history firsthand. Along this scenic river trail, visitors can explore the swampland hideouts of Revolutionary War hero General Francis Marion, famously known as the “Swamp Fox.”

Plan your excursion with ease by visiting South Carolina Trails, where you can check out maps and search for outfitters to guide you.

On-the-Water Adventures in the Pee Dee by County

Beyond the Pee Dee’s Rivers, visitors will find five more outdoor hot spots in five different Pee Dee counties where there’s plenty of on-the-water fun to be had.

Marlboro County’s Lake Paul A Wallace

Located in Marlboro County, Lake Paul A. Wallace covers more than 600 acres and features three sections: a skiing channel with white sandy beaches, a designated area for fishing and sailing, and a reservoir that serves as a waterfowl refuge. Throw on your swimsuit and head here for a day or weekend full of swimming, fishing, boating, and more!

Darlington County’s Lake Prestwood

Pack up the whole family for a day of fun at Lake Prestwood, accessible from Lawton Park in Darlington County.  Bring a kayak, canoe, or boat and set out to discover gorgeous cypress forests and colorful varieties of wildlife found on the lake and along Black Creek. You can float all the way down to Kalmia Gardens at Coker College, a 35-acre public botanical garden that’s open to the public.

Florence County’s Wood Bay State Park

Nestled in the 1,590-acre Wood Bay State Park in Florence County lies a rare natural gem: one of the last remaining large Carolina Bays on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. This nature-filled oasis is home to scores of different wildlife and is a go-to destination for paddling, hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and photography. The paddling trail offers an even more exclusive and immersive experience for guests to explore this special resource.

Lee County’s Lee State Park

The Pee Dee Region contains two of South Carolina’s 47 state parks. One of them is the nearly 2,900-acre Lee State Park, located in Lee County. This panoramic park is brimming with miles of beautiful bottomland hardwood forest wetlands and an array of wildlife—including 145 bird species. The expansive park also offers:

• four drinkable artesian wells that flow 24/7
• more than two dozen campsites
• 12 miles of scenic equestrian trails
• one mile of easy hiking trail.

There’s truly something for everyone here.

Williamsburg County’s Gilland Memorial Park

Situated in historic Williamsburg County, Gilland Memorial Park sits serenely along the banks of the Black River and among a lush, undisturbed swamp forest. Set sail on the free-flowing river from the park’s boat ramp and explore the waterway’s breathtaking scenery and diverse flora and fauna. When you’re ready to bring the fun back on land, you can enjoy a delicious lunch at the on-site picnic shelter while the littles in your crew burn off some energy at the park’s playground.

Download our Visitors Guide today and start planning your outdoor getaway to the Pee Dee! And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more fun things to see and do during your Pee Dee visit.