Kayaking

Paddle the Pacolet River near Spartanburg, SC!

Three ways to paddle!

A man in a blue life jacket and red shorts kayaking on a river with a dog in a life jacket, surrounded by lush green trees.

Hourly

Red kayak on calm river, surrounded by green trees, reflecting blue sky with white clouds.

Half Day

A row of colorful kayaks on the sand next to a river, with a waterfall and green trees in the background under a clear blue sky.

Full Day

Looking for the best kayaking near Spartanburg? You found it. The Pacolet River runs right through our 16-acre property in Clifton, SC — and we have three kayaking options designed for every skill level and schedule in Upstate SC.

Whether you want a quick hourly paddle at your own pace, a scenic half-day trip through a nature preserve, or a full-day adventure on the Pacolet River, we have a trip for you. A perfect day trip from Greenville or Charlotte — and Spartanburg's own backyard.

What’s included in every kayak trip:

  • Kayak, paddle, and life jacket

  • Shutle from your parking location (1545 Sunny Acres Rd, Pacolet, SC) to the put-in - you end back at your car

  • Staff safety briefing before you launch

  • Landmark guidance from your van driver on the way to the put-in

Hourly

Kayaking

Paddle at your own pace! No route, no schedule, no agenda. Hourly rentals let you explore the lazy river section of our main property in Spartanburg at whatever pace feels right. Perfect for beginners, families with young kids, dog owners, and anyone who wants the water without committing to a full trip.

Kids must weigh at least 35 lbs to be on an hourly kayak rental.

Monday-Thursday: 3-5PM | Weekends: 10AM-5PM

Per Hour

$15

Dogs
Allowed!

Book Now!

A man and a dog in a kayak on a river surrounded by trees.
Woman smiling and giving thumbs up while sitting in a kayak on a river, with a bridge and green trees in the background.
Four men enjoying a day kayaking on a river surrounded by lush green trees, with two of them eating snacks in the water, one standing in wet shoes and the others sitting in kayaks.
Two people in kayaks on a calm river with trees in the background. One person has a black dog in their kayak.
Group of people in kayaks on a river listening to a guide explaining, with lush green trees and a brick structure in the background.
People kayak on a river near a bridge and green trees.
Group of people kayaking on a calm river with lush green trees and a brick wall in the background under a cloudy sky.
Young woman in a kayak on a calm river, smiling, holding a paddle, wearing a blue life jacket and casual clothing, with trees and cars in the background.
Two women kayaking on a calm river surrounded by green trees, with one woman in the foreground smiling and wearing a hat and sunglasses, and another in the background.
Group of people kayaking on a river surrounded by green trees on a clear day.
Two kids kayaking on a calm river surrounded by trees and a wooden staircase in the background, both wearing life jackets.
Person sitting in a red and yellow kayak on a body of water, holding a paddle with both hands, wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap, a white shirt, a red life jacket, and shorts.

Half Day

Kayak Trip

Four miles of the Pacolet River through a nature preserve — calm stretches, mild Class I rapids, and scenery that makes Upstate SC feel like a completely different world.

Park and check in at Sunny Acres Fishing Docks — 1545 Sunny Acres Rd, Pacolet, SC 29372. This is your meeting point and where your car stays for the duration of the trip. Our van will drive you and your equipment to the put-in location. You paddle back down the river to Sunny Acres where your car is waiting. Self-guided — go at your own pace. Takes 2-3 hours, depending on water levels.

Optional guide available as a paid add-on.

Kids must be age 6 or older to go on the half day kayak trip.

Weekdays — 9AM | Weekends — 10:30AM

Single Kayak

$40

Shuttle Only

$15

Book Now!

Four people in kayaks on a calm river, smiling and enjoying a cloudy day with dense green trees along the riverbank.
Two men kayaking on a river surrounded by green trees, one taking a selfie and the other paddling in a red kayak, both wearing sunglasses and summer clothes.
Three people kayaking on a river with a small waterfall in the background, surrounded by trees.
Kayak on a river surrounded by dense green trees under a bright blue sky.
Multiple colorful kayaks with gear laid out on a gravel trail surrounded by green trees.
Two people kayaking on a calm river surrounded by lush green trees on a sunny day.
Woman wearing a sunhat, sunglasses, and a tank top sitting in a colorful kayak on a river, holding a snack and a clipboard.
Six people kayaking on a calm river surrounded by lush green trees on a sunny day.
Two people kayaking on a calm lake surrounded by trees under a clear sky.
Two people kayaking on a calm river with a sandy shoreline, green trees, and a waterfall in the background on a sunny day.
Six colorful kayaks, four red and two blue, are lined up on a sandy beach by a river, with lush green trees in the background.
Red kayak on a calm river reflecting the blue sky with white clouds and green trees on either side.

Full Day

Kayak Trip

Eight miles of the Pacolet River and a full day outside — our most adventurous kayaking experience near Spartanburg.

Park and check-in at Sunny Acres Fishing Docks — 1545 Sunny Acres Rd, Pacolet. Our van drives you and your equipment to the put-in at Clifton Beach. Your driver will point out landmarks on the way. Self-guided from there through Class I and II rapids as the river approaches Pacolet Mills. You paddle the full route back to Sunny Acres where your car is waiting. Takes 6 hours, depending on water levels.

Kids must be age 12 or older to go on the full-day kayak trip.

Weekends only — 9AM

Single Kayak

$55

Shuttle Only

$15

Book Now!

Five people kayaking on a calm river surrounded by lush green trees during the daytime.
Multiple colorful kayaks lined up on the sandy shore of a river, with a waterfall and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.
Three people kayaking on a river near a small waterfall with a bridge in the background, surrounded by trees.
View from a kayak on a river with greenery and trees along the banks under a blue sky.
Two women kayaking on a calm river surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky.
Two people kayaking on a calm river near a forested shoreline on a sunny day.
Two people kayaking on a calm river with a natural landscape of trees and a sandy shoreline.
Looking forward from a red kayak on a calm river with green trees on both sides, under a blue sky with scattered white clouds.

Know Before You Go Kayaking

  • Wear anything you're comfortable getting wet — bathing suit or shorts and water-friendly footwear with a back strap. Water shoes, sport sandals, or old sneakers all work great. Leave the flip flops at home — they will fall off in the river!

  • Sunscreen, a water bottle, a dry bag for your phone and valuables, a towel, and a change of clothes. For the 4-mile and 8-mile trips pack a lunch — you will be on the water for several hours. Coolers are allowed on all kayak trips.

  • Don't bring anything you can't afford to lose or get wet. If it goes in the Pacolet River it is most likely gone forever.

  • Yes! Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks on the water. Alcohol is permitted for guests 21 and older — please drink responsibly.

  • Dogs are welcome on hourly kayak rentals only. Dogs are not permitted on the half day or full day trips. Dogs are welcome at Riverside Lounges.

  • We operate rain or shine. If lightning or thunder occurs during your trip, pull to shore and wait 20 minutes after the last strike. If we must close due to unsafe conditions all guests with reservations are contacted directly. Trip protection available at checkout.

  • Life jackets are provided and required for all guests on the water — no exceptions. Guests under 16 must wear a life jacket any time they are near the water. No lifeguard on duty. Swimming is at your own risk.

  • Visit our full FAQ page for everything you need to know before your visit.

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Ready to adventure?