These are the Most Gator-Infested Waters in South Carolina

South Carolina is home to a lot of alligators. Around 100,000 of them, to be exact. Although it is fewer than in some states, such as Florida, which has 1.3 million alligators, there are still many alligators lurking around South Carolina’s water bodies.

The United States Geological Survey provides a map showing the range of the American alligator. Alligators live in the southeastern U.S., ranging from as far north as North Carolina to as far south as southern Texas and Florida. These carnivorous reptiles prefer freshwater lakes, slow-moving rivers, swamps, and marshes. They may occasionally show up in saltwater marshes or on beaches for short amounts of time. However, even if you find a stray alligator swimming in a saltwater location, alligators don’t have salt glands. Their bodies can’t excrete excess salt, and they can’t tolerate it for long.

In South Carolina, most alligators live in the eastern, lowland half of the state. There they can often be found in lakes, marshes, rivers, and sometimes on golf courses. Alligators are the most active during their courtship and mating season, which in South Carolina is from April through June. We’ve rounded up some of the most alligator-infested water bodies in the state of South Carolina, where it pays to be mindful of alligators.

1) Savannah River

The Savannah River forms the border between Georgia and South Carolina. Providing drinking water for 1.4 million people, the river originates in the Blue Ridge Mountains and ends at an estuary on the Atlantic Ocean.

The river is a popular spot for fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, and other water sports. However, if you’re enjoying the Savannah River, you need to be aware of alligators. The Savannah River Ecology Laboratory at the University of Georgia describes alligators on the Savannah River as “abundant.” The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, located along the Savannah River in South Carolina, is an excellent spot for viewing alligators. Here you may see them basking in the sun along the riverbanks.

2) Lake Marion

Located in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, Lake Marion is the largest lake in the state. The manmade lake was created in the 1940s when the Santee Dam was built to dam the Santee River. The project helped bring jobs to an area still struggling from the Great Depression while also bringing hydroelectric power to the rural South.

Today, Lake Marion is a popular spot for fishing, camping, paddling, and viewing wildlife. In addition to viewing egrets, wild turkeys, osprey, woodpeckers, foxes, and deer, you are also very likely to spot alligators living in and around the lake. And the alligators here can grow to massive sizes. A few years ago, an over 600-pound alligator was discovered in the lake.

3) Pee Dee River and Little Pee Dee River

The Great Pee Dee River originates in the Appalachian Mountains and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It’s known as a blackwater river. Blackwater rivers, as opposed to whitewater, have dark, black water that comes from the acidity leached from fallen leaves. This Coastal Plain river contains swamps, marshes, and bottomland forests. The Little Pee Dee River is a tributary of the Great Pee Dee.

Both rivers are popular spots for fishing, paddling, recreational boating, and wildlife viewing. And both rivers make ideal habitats for American alligators. Sometimes, when heavy rains cause flooding along the Pee Dee River, it can bring alligators right into people’s backyards. In 2024, the remnants of Hurricane Debby brought so much rainfall to Florence, South Carolina, that a family’s backyard turned into a pond, and an alligator appeared and took up residence there.

4) Lake Moultrie

Like Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie was created when the Santee River was dammed in the 1940s. It’s located about 30 miles north of downtown Charleston. Lake homes are popular around the area, and it’s considered a top real estate market in the state. However, those living near the lake need to be on the lookout for alligators.

Some popular activities include boating, swimming, hiking, and camping. Swimmers need to be on the watch for sunken tree stumps and also alligators. Although alligators typically avoid people, attacks can happen. A few years ago, a man was attacked in Lake Moultrie while trying to save his dog from an alligator. Luckily, both the dog and the man survived with only minor injuries.

5) Edisto River

The picturesque Edisto River is the only major river system in South Carolina that is completely contained within its borders. It starts from the springwaters in the central Sandhills and ends in the Atlantic Ocean. This Lowcountry blackwater river is known for massive oak trees and cypresses lining its riverbanks. It’s also known for alligators.

Boating, fishing, and paddling are popular on the Edisto River. A few years ago, a 12-foot alligator was captured in a homeowner’s backyard near the river. Interestingly, the alligator’s stomach was examined, and it contained some strange items such as dog tags, spark plugs, bobcat claws, and turtle shells. The dog tags were a stark reminder that alligators are fearsome predators and will prey on pets.

6) Waccamaw River

The Waccamaw River begins in North Carolina and flows into Winyah Bay in South Carolina. On its journey, it passes right through alligator territory. The river is a popular spot for paddling, swimming, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Riverboat tours offer an opportunity to get a close look at the wildlife from a safe distance.

Some of the wildlife you are likely to encounter include a variety of birds, river otters, and of course, alligators. Alligators can be found anywhere along the river, but they are more abundant in the southern stretch, south of the city of Conway.

7) Santee River

The Santee River forms from the combined Congaree and Wateree Rivers, and flows into the Atlantic Ocean near Charleston. The river contributed to the creation of the manmade lakes of Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie during the 1940s when the Santee Cooper project built hydroelectric dams along the river. The Santee State Park is an excellent spot to enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, bird watching, kayaking, canoeing, and boating along the river.

Living in the waters, you will find snapping turtles, river otters, snakes, crawfish, and many different species of fish. The Santee River is also a well-known habitat for alligators. A few years ago, a giant, 726-pound alligator was captured in the Santee River.

8) Congaree River

Although the Congaree River is short, only 50 miles long, it’s wide and contains a vast amount of diverse wildlife species. The river forms in Columbia and flows into the Wateree River. One of the best ways to experience the Congaree River is in the Congaree National Park. Known as an old-growth forest and one of the wildest areas left in the Southeast, the Congaree River is home to many species of birds and migrating fish.

Living near the river are bobcats, wild pigs, river otters, and of course, alligators. You have the best chance of spotting an alligator swimming in the river or resting on the riverbanks in the warmer months of spring and summer.

9) Huntington Beach State Park Ponds

Huntington Beach State Park is located along the coast of South Carolina. It’s a diverse wildlife habitat filled with fascinating creatures such as sea turtles, pelicans, and minks. Although the park contains salt marshes, there are also many freshwater ponds here, where alligators thrive.

From March through October, the park offers a variety of programs where visitors can safely observe alligators. According to the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Mullet Pond is an ideal spot to see alligators feeding, sunning, or lounging in the water.

10) Bull Island

Bull Island is a remote and wild barrier island off the coast of South Carolina. It’s also a part of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, in which the largest population of American Alligators lives, other than the Everglades. The alligators thrive in the freshwater ponds around the island.

A 30-minute ferry ride will get you to this Lowcountry destination where you are sure to see alligators, especially if you head to Jack’s Creek, where they are known to congregate. The alligators may head over to the saltwater to feast on horseshoe crabs or fish, but they won’t remain long, preferring to live near the freshwater ponds.