Upper Saluda River: Hunts Bridge Road (Unofficial) to Saluda Lake Landing

Skill Level: Easy

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Rapids: Class I

Length: 6.80 miles

Duration: 3.5 - 7 hours

Portaging: No

What to Expect

This trip is the first along the main stem of the Saluda River and is scenic and quiet with very slow moving waters. As the Saluda River enters Saluda Lake, the channels broaden and the water stills. Scenery includes wildlife, great fishing locations, and rural countryside.

Alternate River Access: Saluda Lake Access off of Buckskin Road, Easley, SC

Access

Put in:

Hunts Bridge Road River Access and Roadside Parking (Unofficial)

899 Hunts Bridge Road, Easley, SC 29640

Access Details

Access is downstream of the Old Hunts Bridge Road bridge, river-right. The banks are steep; use caution. Park along Hunts Bridge Road, river-right. This access is unofficial but regularly used. Use at your own risk.

Take out:

Saluda Lake Landing Access and Parking Area

605 Motor Boat Club Road, Greenville, SC 29611

Access Details

This boat ramp and parking lot can be used for a small fee. If paddling downstream, the ramp is river/lake-left.

Trip Details

Waterway:

Upper Saluda River

Downstream Trips (2)

Saluda Lake: Saluda Lake Landing

Saluda Lake: Saluda Lake Access

Comments (1)

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Timothy Parrish

Sep 15, 2025 7:35 am EDT

All clear as of 09/14/2025. Runnable as low as 155 CFS. Paddling all the way up to McElhaney Shoals from Saluda Lake is possible, with current getting stronger after about 5 miles. Return trip back down the river takes about half as long as trip up. Very clean, secluded, pretty trip with little trash in the river on this section and little to no houses/buildings to spoil the scenery. Remnants of old water pump house, a few bridge foundations, and a mysterious house/cabin on side of the river in middle of nowhere add to the view.