Broad River: Bowens River Access to Cherokee Recreation Area

Skill Level: Easy

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Rapids: Class I , II

Length: 5.00 miles

Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours

Portaging: No

What to Expect

An easy half-day trip, this river section is characterized by broad, wide channels, Class I and II rapids, and rural wooded scenery. Paddlers will cross under the iconic Broad River railroad bridge.

Access

Put in:

Bowens River Access and Parking Area

1444 Dravo Road, Blacksburg, SC 29702

Access Details

This access includes a small parking area and dirt boat ramp, river-left along the channel from the upstream dam. A fishing area is located 2,000 feet north on Dravo Road next to the Hydro Plant and also includes a small parking area.

Take out:

Cherokee Recreation Area

Wolf Den Lane, Gaffney, SC 29340

Access Details

Located river-right, above the Cherokee Falls Dam, this river access is next to the Cherokee Ford Recreation Area. At the end of Wolf Den Lane, there is a dirt clearing with easy access to the river from the river bank. For map details, click HERE.

Trip Details

Waterway:

Broad River

Upstream Trip (1)

Broad River: Broad River Greenway to Big Bay River Access

Downstream Trip (1)

Broad River: Cherokee Recreation Area to Pick Hill River Access

Comments (5)

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Paula Cumalander

Apr 22, 2026 10:04 pm EDT

April 18, 2026 Water level was 2.93ft @ 607 cfs. Had to wade through some water at the put in to get deep enough to launch. We had to paddle a good bit because of the low flow and had to carefully pick our lines through the rocks and still got stuck on a few. Overall, it's still a good trip and we got to see a train on the trestle this time. Also saw an eagle at the end of the trip. I didn't see anything that I would classify as a class II.

Paula Cumalander

Mar 26, 2025 7:37 pm EDT

March 15, 2025. Water level 4.34 ft @ 1580 cfs. This was a perfect flow. The put in at the Bridge on Bowen's River was easily accessible. The Broad was flowing with most rocks under the water. There were about 3-4 ledges that were class 1 and could be a class 2 if levels were lower. The old RR Trestle was beautiful. The shoals before the take out were mostly under water. Take out is a small sandy bank with parking right there. River was free of debris from Helene.

Ernie Robbins

Jul 29, 2023 9:40 am EDT

July 27th 2023, access was easy. Water low at 2.73, made for some interesting paddling at times. Saw eagle, ospreys, Herons, and otters. Great trip, take out was easy.

John Rector

Jul 24, 2019 1:29 pm EDT

As of June 2019 the gate at Wolf den In take out has been locked with no trespassing signs. You would have to drag kayaks a couple hondred yards to get them to the gate then lift them over the gate. Sad news

Thomas Constant

Jun 06, 2019 9:06 pm EDT

As of June 6 2019 the launch area is somewhat overgrown. Although the pathway has been cut the actual launch is covered in dirt, mud and weeds.