Enjoy a scenic, beginner-friendly kayak trip starting at Fort Mill Dam Access and ending at the iconic Pump House restaurant on the Catawba River. This 4-mile stretch offers calm currents, stunning views, and a relaxing paddle that takes about 2-3 hours to complete. We make it easy — your rental includes a kayak, paddle, life vest, and round-trip transportation. Just show up at the launch site, enjoy your float downstream, and we’ll be waiting at the take-out point to bring you back (and take care of the gear). Whether you're looking for a peaceful solo paddle or a fun group outing, this self-guided trip is perfect for nature lovers, beginners, and locals looking to explore Fort Mill from a new angle.
You can rent up to 10 kayaks per excursion or group. If more are needed, please contact us at 704.614.8998. Our fleet sizes are:
Adults under 250 lbs. and not taller than 6ft 2 inches can comfortably fit in the smaller kayaks. We recommend assigning kayaks appropriately for your guests based on their preferences. If there are guests over 350 lbs in your group, please give us a call before booking. We may be able to secure a larger kayak depending on availablilty.
Launch Site: 2541 New Gray Rock Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29708
Finish Site: 575 Herrons Ferry Road, Rock Hill, SC 29730
The finish point is slightly past the pump house in a corner. See the picture below for reference.
Water levels in this section of the Catawba River are influenced by scheduled releases from the Lake Wylie Dam. Recreational releases typically occur Friday through Sunday from April to September. You can view the release schedule here. Upon arrival we will inspect the water level to make sure it is safe to kayak and provide any information pertaining to the route conditions.
Safety always comes first—never risk your well-being trying to retrieve a kayak or paddle. A lost kayak may incur a fee if unrecoverable, and lost paddles or gear will be charged based on replacement cost. We’ll always do our best to help you recover items safely, but please prioritize yourself over the gear. We understand accidents happen and will never be upset for you choosing your life over a lost kayak.
We will make sure to meet you and your group at the launch point at your scheduled time. Parking may be busy depending on the time of day and weather. Do not park on the sides of the public roads outside of the park gate. You will be towed. If parking in a trailer parking spot, make sure you do not block someone in and make sure you do not get blocked in. If your group is traveling in 2 or more cars, you can park behind each other in the trailer parking spot.
For the river kayaking in groups of 5 or more, we recommend allowing the drivers to get a ride back to the launch point first. From there, they can pick the rest of the group up, or can wait for us to pick up the rest of the group. We have limited seating, and are unable to carry all kayakers (over 4 people) at once. We will have to make either 2 or 3 trips. We will transport all the kayaks and gear on our vehicle to the launch point and at the final point.
We are working on adding a passanger van to our fleet soon!
Below is a detailed itenarary for kayaking with us at Fort Mill Dam Access To The Pump House.
The total kayaking time can last up to 4 hours from the time you scheduled. You are more than welcome to end the kayaking early if you would like. Refunds will not be given for ending the rental early.
Explore the calm waters of Lake Wylie with a relaxing paddle from Nivens Creek Landing. Includes kayak, paddle, and life vest—perfect for solo paddlers, couples, or groups.
Experience the beauty of the Catawba River with a self-guided 8-mile paddle from Fort Mill Dam Access to River Park
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