The Waccamaw River Blue Trail extends the entire length of the river in North and South Carolina. Beginning near Lake Waccamaw in North Carolina, a permanently inundated Carolina Bay, the river meanders through the Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve, City of Conway, and Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge before merging with the Intracoastal Waterway where it passes historic rice fields, Brookgreen Gardens, Sandy Island, and ends at Winyah Bay near Georgetown. A map/guide to the entire 140-mile blue trail is provided here - Waccamaw River Blue Trail Map/Guide.

The Waccamaw invites the paddler to explore its unique natural, historical and cultural features. Its black waters, cypress swamps and tidal marshes are home to many rare species of plants and animals. The river is also steeped in history with Native American settlements, Civil War sites, rice and indigo plantations, which highlight the Gullah-Geechee culture, as well as many historic homes, churches, shops, and remnants of industries that were once served by steamships. 

American Rivers, Waccamaw Riverkeeper, and many local partners worked together to establish the Waccamaw River Blue Trail, a potion of which is designated as a National Water Trail.

Adjacent Waterways: on-stream, Intracoastal Waterway/Grand Strand (Coastal) and Pee Dee River; downstream, Winyah Bay (Coastal).