Beautiful flat water trip with rare Rocky Shoals spider lilies in full bloom from mid-May to mid-June. This is largest crop in the world. Some mild whitewater (class I) ledges, multiple rocks. 2 legs of this trip. 1st leg from north end of park to south end; about 1-2 hour with lunch break. Lunch will be on rocks and islands. Bring cameras for awesome views. Most may opt to take out at end of park. Optional 2nd leg from south end to hwy 9 bridge, about another 2 hours of slow moving flat water. Full trip from park to Hwy 9 is 7.4 miles and 3.5 hours.

Paddle Skills: All paddlers beginner to expert. Due to numerous rocks, shorter boats or good turning skills are helpful.

Boats: All boats but fiberglass not recommended due to rocks.

Recommended Gear: Hats, sun protection, water, rain gear. Bring a lunch. We will likely stop on the rock islands to eat with the spider lilies.

Optional: There are short hiking trails ( 3 miles round trip, 1.5 one way) along river and canal with good views of lilies.

Meet: From Columbia it is about 1 hr 15 minutes to park. Be at Landsford Canal State Park at North Parking lot at 10 am. Take I-77 north from Columbia to Exit 65, Hwy 9 or Lancaster/ Chester exit. Turn right and follow brown signs "Landsford Canal Park." Go 1.1 miles on Hwy 9 toward Lancaster then turn Left on Road 223 / Wylies road and go 6.7 miles to you hit Catawba River Rd (Hyw 21) and turn left. Go 1.6 miles and turn Right at brown sign onto Landsford Rd. Go 1.6 miles to park entrance on left. $2 fee per person (bring $1 bills, no person at gate), take paper tag for mirror. Continue 1.3 miles to North parking lot. Boats will be unloaded here and taken to river 100 yards.

To take-out: 1st leg only: leave parking lot, go back to park entrance and turn left on Landsford rd. Go 1.1 miles to dead end at Canal rd turn left to dead end South parking lot.

Full trip to hwy 9 : leave parking lot, go back to park entrance and turn left on Landsford rd. Go 1.1 miles to dead end at Canal rd turn right, go 2.1 miles to hwy 21 (Catawba River Rd ) turn left. Go about 9 miles to Hwy 9 South to Lancaster turn left. Continue on hwy 9, cross bridge over Catawba, take first left at brown sign "Hwy 9 landing," follow dirt road to end.

Going home: Best route is back track on Hwy 9 to I–77 but you can follow signs on Hwy 9 to Columbia on Hwy 21 South.