The South Carolina Natural Wonder That’s Peak Beauty in the Winter

Frozen waterfalls in South Carolina aren't something you should come to expect, but that doesn’t mean that the wintertime doesn’t host its own beauty for some of the best falls in the state. Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and incredible sights make the little extra effort completely worth it. So, while looking for cascading beauties, head to the mountains and seek out Fall Creek Falls. This hike will take you to multiple waterfalls, all on a short little trip, and winter is the best time to see them.

As an avid hiker, I love finding trails that have lots of points of interest along the way to keep the hike fresh and leave me with an overall sense of wonder. Fall Creek Falls checks all the boxes for an amazing waterfall hike because you won’t see just one amazing waterfall, but multiple stunning cascades. Right from the parking lot, you will see your first waterfall, and you can hike down to the base to snap a picture before starting your journey. 

To hike Fall Creek Falls is an out-and-back trail of 3 miles and just under 300 feet of elevation gain. I recommend downloading the AllTrails map ahead of time and using it to navigate the trail. There are a few other intersecting trails, and if you follow a spur, you can add Pristine Falls on your way back, making it a loop near the end of your travel.

You can visit this trail any time of the year, but there are multiple reasons why the wintertime is the best time to visit. This hidden gem of a trail isn’t widely traveled, so the trail tends to get overgrown in the summer as the plants grow wild, which means lots of poison ivy. In the colder months, the plants wither away, and the path becomes easier to find. The visibility is better in the winter, too, so you should have plenty of great views of the waterfalls along the way, but I would recommend putting in the extra effort to make it to the base for the best experience. 

The flow of the falls will rarely ever freeze, but in the cold, you could expect to see some icicles and snow speckled around the water and in the forest. This makes for an enchanting adventure. I find that when you don’t have snow very often, a little wintery wonder can be a great change of pace.

If you are looking for an adventurous hike this year, make your way to Fall Creek Falls. While chasing waterfalls in South Carolina, this trail gives you the most bang for your buck, with more waterfalls than there are miles to hike. And if you're looking for more things to do in the area, be sure to visit our itinerary planner for recommendations!