North Saluda River: Les Mullinax Park to River Road

Skill Level: Easy

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Rapids: None

Length: 2.50 miles

Duration: 1 - 1.6 hours

Portaging: No

What to Expect

Close to the headwaters of the North Saluda River, this stretch is narrow and can be unpaddleable in low water. Paddlers can expect to see heavily wooded areas as well as rural mountain countryside.

Access

Put in:

Les Mullinax Park

7 Dividing Water Road, Travelers Rest, SC 29690

Access Details

Park in the small lot next to the fire station. River access is river-right. This park has benches, swings, and picnic tables.

Take out:

River Road River Access and Parking Area

295 River Road, Marietta, SC 29661

Access Details

This river access is 600 feet west of the US 25 bridge, river-right. Pull cars completely off of the road and park in the clearing. Follow the trail 700 feet to the river.

Trip Details

The River Road Access is only 5 minutes away, so shuttling cars would be quick and easy. This stretch is narrow and could become unpaddleable at lower water levels. There is a high potential for woody debris along this section; paddlers should use caution at all times. Take out is located river right. Portage boats 700 feet from the river to the clearing where cars can be parked. For more information see The Upper Saluda River Blueway map.

Waterway:

North Saluda River

Downstream Trip (1)

North Saluda River: River Road to Highway 11

Comments (3)

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Ashley Blough

Nov 03, 2022 10:25 pm EDT

Went from Les Mullinax park to Highway 11 on 11/3/22. About 5 1/2 miles according to my Strava. This website said below runnable, but I decided to try anyway. It was below runnable. Had to step out and push the kayaks over several debris piles and beaver dams. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if I didn’t have a friend to help. The first and worst spot is just a couple hundred feet down from Mullinax Park. Was able to manage getting over the beaver dams by crawling down below and then pulling my kayak over. After you cross under Highway 25, it gets much better. But the water levels were still low enough that I had to get out lots to get past rocky spots and sand bars. Took about 3 1/2 hours in total. Stashed bikes at the end and rode back to the car. Took about 40 minutes, but I’m a slow biker. I’m really glad I did this, but I would start from River Road next time and recommend anyone else do to.

Ashley Blough

Nov 03, 2022 10:24 pm EDT

Doug Churdar

May 04, 2020 8:37 am EDT

My wife and I paddled from Les Mullinax Park to Hwy 11 on 5/3/20. Water level was 149 CFS, which was plenty. Water quality was good. There were several downed trees which made for some challenges. The stretch through Cliffs Valley golf course was the easiest, thanks to maintenance along the river. Overall awesome stretch.