Hello, Adventurers! Welcome back to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If this is your first time visiting our blog, we’re happy to have you here. We are all about nature, adventure, and making the most out of the beautiful outdoors of South Carolina. If you enjoy all things hiking, paddling, kayaking, and spending time outdoors, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the blog, we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts, and nature programs. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Since the weather is getting warmer, we want to help you get out there and take advantage of all that the Lowcountry has to offer! We offer guided tours of the beautiful Lowcountry by kayak, paddleboard, ferry, boat, and private charter. We also have hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, and camping. Basically, anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. In our last post, we discussed the Isle of Palms, a barrier island with a city of the same name. Today, we’ll be talking about Hampton Plantation, a state historic site, and our boat tour that takes us there after a cruise across the Santee Delta. If you’re interested in learning more, stick around! Let’s get started.
The Santee River meets the Atlantic Ocean between the cities of Georgetown and Charleston. It was named for the tribe of Native Americans called the Santee, who inhabited its banks long ago. It has the largest river delta on the east coast of the United States. A delta is a wetland formed by rivers emptying their water and sediment. It occurs when a river enters an ocean, sea, lake, or other body of water. The Santee River has two channels: North and South, that flow parallel. Intersecting the North and South Santee Rivers are various blackwater creeks. These creeks are slow-moving through swamps and wetlands, and as the vegetation around them decays, biomolecules called tannins are released into the water, which give the water its dark, inky color.
The unique ecosystem of the Santee River includes ospreys, swallow-tailed kites, Mississippi kites, American alligators, and bottlenose dolphins, among others. Our Santee Delta River Cruise allows you to experience this beautiful ecosystem firsthand before we dock at Hampton Plantation. The Hampton Plantation is a colonial-era rice plantation constructed in the early 18th century, and what remains of it can be seen today in the southern Santee Delta region.
Visitors can explore the site of the Hampton Plantation, learning about how it was constructed and how it has changed over time. Most of the land is no longer of agricultural use, and has instead reverted back to its natural and swampy state. Construction of the main house began in 1735 by Noe Serre, a French Huguenot. The Huguenots were a group of French Protestants who settled in South Carolina in the 1680s. They established a settlement called Jamestown on the Santee River, as well as in other places within the Lowcountry. The main house was a two-story structure with a central hall until it was bought by Daniel Horry in 1757. Horry expanded the building by adding a two-story ballroom and a master bedroom suite. A six-column-wide portico was also added. Later on, the plantation was acquired by Archibald Rutledge, a poet and educator who became South Carolina’s first poet laureate. Rutledge was the last private owner of the estate and lived there until 1969. He is also buried on the plantation grounds. Hampton Plantation was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1970.
Today, Hampton Plantation offers much to be explored. It serves as an interpretive site for the system of slavery and rice cultivation in the region and guided tours are offered to showcase the architecture of the house as well as insight into the people who once called the plantation home. Additionally, the grounds include two walking trails through a pine forest. One trail explores the plantation’s history while the other is simply used to explore its natural beauty. There are also two cemeteries located on the site; an African American cemetery and one for the Rutledge family.
Also on the plantation grounds are 4 acres of wild gardens, rich in flora and fauna. If you’re lucky, you just might see three of the endangered species that call the grounds their home– The red-cockaded woodpecker, the swallow-kite, and endangered bats. As if that wasn’t cool enough, right in front of the mansion is a large oak tree… But it’s not just any oak tree. George Washington, the nation’s first president, once stopped for a visit at the Hampton Plantation. Daniel Horry’s wife informed Washington that the large oak would soon be cut down to make way for a better view, but Washington disagreed. Needless to say, the family decided to take his advice and not cut down the tree. They named it the Washington Oak in his honor, and the tree still stands today– Over 220 years old!
While visiting Hampton Plantation, you’ll also get great views of Wambaw Creek. This blackwater tidal creek is an exceptionally peaceful area lined with giant cypress and gum trees. Historically, it fed many of the plantation’s former rice fields. Wambaw Creek is part of Francis Marion National Forest and includes 11 miles of protected wilderness. There are no hiking trails along the creek– Visitors can only visit the Wambaw Creek by canoe!
Approximately 1,825 acres of Wambaw Creek are protected by the Forest Service. Because it is a protected area, we want to take this time to remind you that you should follow the 7 Leave No Trace principles when visiting. These principles are designed to promote wildlife conservation and explore the outdoors sustainably. This ensures the protection of the area and its unique and natural qualities. Although these principles can vary in different parts of the country, you should always try to adhere to them when you can. Let’s talk about a few of these principles that apply to the protected areas of Wambaw Creek:
As you can see, the Santee River and Hampton Plantation are full of beautiful wildlife and numerous educational opportunities. Currently, our Santee Delta River Cruise to Hampton Plantation is only offered for private groups. Please reach out to us for more information! We hope that you found this article informative and helpful. As always, we thank you for reading and we hope to see you back on our blog soon! If you have any questions about our other guided tours, reach out to us! At Coastal Expeditions, we are committed to introducing people to the wonders of the ecosystems of the Charleston area by providing guided tours and educational opportunities. If you’re looking to explore all that the Lowcountry has to offer, check out our offerings on our website to find the adventure which suits you best! We also offer kid-friendly tours as well as kids programs, camps, and kayak lessons. Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!
Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards
Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.
Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.
If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.
Check out our St. Phillips Island & Beaufort tours.
Offering Kayaks and Paddleboards
Take in the stunning beauty of local creeks and waters from one of our kayaks or SUPs. Walk-ups are welcome or call / text to book and we’ll be ready when you are. All gear and instruction provided.
Call or text 843.884.7684 to book.
If you really want to get a feel for the local history, identify the native wildlife, and get to special places, you'll need someone experienced to show you the way. We'll get you there.
Check out our Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant tours.