kayaking (Columbia, Aiken, West Columbia: theater, moving, ferry)

[Kachina1]

Do any of you kayak or have friends that do? Looking for places in between Aiken and Columbia for easy kayaking, would love to see wildlife.
Some places only let you rent-we have our own. Has anyone done Lake Murray? Thanks in advance for any advice!

[LexingtonDad]

Go down Hope Ferry Road until it ends at Metts landing. This is just below the dam so the water is cool and fairly slow moving. There is ample parking and easy put in/take out. We've put in there and floated all the way into town. Not a bad way to spend a warm afternoon.

[Kachina1]

Thanks! That sounds great. I see on mapquest that that puts you on the Congaree River. Where do you take out in town?

[LexingtonDad]

The only time we went all the way to town we took out at Granby landing but there are numerous places to stop, that is just one we were familiar with. Usually these lazy bones just paddle upriver toward the dam and float slowly back to the ramp. It is a nice and calm trip.

[Charlestondata]

Take out at the foot of the Gervais Street Bridge at the West Columbia Amphitheater, then cross the bridge into the Vista area of downtown Columbia.

[Kachina1]

Ha, LD, that sounds about our speed for sure!

And thanks CD for the take out info!