You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers. (Or at least some!)
Frequently Asked Questions
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We have only one treehouse shuttle a day, so we ask everyone to be here at 9:30 am. That gives you time to paddle the 13 miles to the treehouse with plenty of daylight.
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When you reserve, we e-mail you camping/motel/B&B recommendations.
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Yes, on any night but Saturday, 2 people can book any treehouse available for the price of just two (except for Saturday nights, which can be booked by two for the price of two only when booked 1 week in advance of that Saturday). If ever you’d like to book, please give us a call at (843) 563-5051, as we take credit card info over the phone, which is also a great time to answer questions.
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We have 2-person canoes.
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Always prepare for rain, whether or not it is predicted. Regarding thunderstorms, they are predicted almost every summer afternoon but often don’t materialize. If they do, remember you are on a river where all the trees are taller than you, so if something is going to be struck, it is probably not you. Our philosophy is to stay comfortable and as dry as possible; if that means getting off the river and bundling up, then so be it. Typically around here thunderstorms don’t last long. We’d suggest wearing a big floppy hat or a baseball cap and bringing a raincoat with a hood (keeps the rain out of your neck), possibly even an umbrella.
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The treehouses include comfortable amenities, but they are constructed deep in the swamp where water is not piped in. As in other sorts of camping, canoeists carry in their own drinking water and use the river water for washing up. We do have nice outhouses.
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Mosquitoes are rain-dependent out here, so it’s hard to tell. They’re typically not bad, and a can of spray does fine: there are no mosquitoes on moving water; once in, tiki torches on the dining decks contain citronella, and the treehouses are screened. Mosquitoes appear with the warm weather, but we never have gnats or biting flies. When mosquitoes do appear, it can happen in spring, summer, or fall. Typically there’s not an outbreak, but we always recommend carrying bug spray.
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Not only do canoes have more overnight storage capacity, but… the Edisto has many sharp curves, and our canoes handle them easily; long kayaks don’t turn well on sharp curves with a moderate to strong current. Only short kayaks (8′ or so) can handle the curves handily, and they don’t have storage capacity.
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In the summer people who come to the river love to swim; there’s a ‘lazy river’ float around treehouse island that takes about 45 minutes, which some folks do over and over. While summer is hot, it’s cooler here than anywhere else around. Spring and fall are both great times for bonfires and hiking the property. Since the water is typically a few feet higher and faster than in summer, spring and fall requires more canoeing skills.
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There are very few gators up here: rarely do paddlers or fishermen see one. The few that are here typically hang out in the swamp rather than the river. But, we have had guests in the past who have seen them. People come up here to swim. In the summer the water is shallow and you can see right into it.
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Our guests come from all over the country. We are happy to lend you whatever you need.
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Not much, in all honesty.
The reason is that the river is more challenging in places than the pictures show, with fallen trees and fast-moving water around the bends. Everyone should be able to swim ashore, unassisted, with adult strength in hard current in the event of a capsize.
But, given that, there are times when slightly younger children may accompany your group on the river. When the water is low and warm in the summer, children as young as 8 might accompany adults if there is one adult per child and the adult is a good and strong canoeist.
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Dogs are permitted on day trips and rustic camping bookings only. Pets are not permitted on overnight treehouse bookings.
If you have a service animal, please call us at (843) 563-5051 prior to booking so that we can discuss what you, and your service animal, can expect on your adventure.
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We do. If you leave a message we’ll usually return your call by the end of the day. If not, we‘re on vacation, so please give us a day or so to respond. 🙂
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Yes, there’s decent (not excellent) cell service with Verizon. Usually, it works well. Others work fairly well on messaging.
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Weather: The weather forecast in this area will probably call for some percentage of rain and thunderstorms, and you’ll want to be prepared for that. Normal for this area is 40-80% chance of rain and thunderstorms every day, typically brief. It is your option to reschedule or cancel with a refund if rain and thunderstorms are predicted at 90% or more by weather.com for zip code 29477, 2 days or less in advance of your arrival date. If we should close river trips and treehouses due to flooding, you have the option to reschedule or receive a refund.
Personal: Reservations may be canceled for any reason at least 45 days in advance of your trip for a full refund less the 6% credit card company fee for processing your deposit twice. Please note that no refunds for any reason are given if cancellation is 45 days or less before the adventure. A funeral or medical emergency is unfortunately within that. But…
If we’re able to re-rent your treehouse, we will refund your deposit. If we can’t re-rent, then both you and we share the financial loss, as we receive only 50% of the anticipated revenue. Rescheduling at the last minute means that the treehouse sits empty when others might have been able to rent it. You may want to consider travel insurance to protect yourself in case of personal emergencies.
If you did not find the answer to your question, please contact us.
Our Story
Founded in 1989, Carolina Heritage Outfitters is the original outfitter and the only treehouse camping on the Edisto River in South Carolina. Owner Chris Burbulak and our CHO Crew invite you to call us or email us with any questions you may have about an Adventure on the Edisto.
When you are floating down the Edisto to your private overnight site, walking the Edisto River Refuge’s trails, or relaxing on the deck of your private treehouse, you are in a fragile ecosystem, an annual flood plain (thus Treehouses). Great blue herons, egrets, wood storks, pileated woodpeckers, wood ducks, wild turkeys, deer, muskrats, and raccoons are residents on the refuge. Frogs and owls serenade.
Whether it’s a wilderness day trip canoeing through the Cypress Trees of the Edisto or a relaxing and quiet stay in one of our three man-made Treehouses, Carolina Heritage Outfitters would love to have you as our guest.