There’s A Waterfalls Trail In South Carolina And It’s Everything You’ve Ever Dreamed Of
This is the perfect weekend itinerary for anyone who loves nature in the Palmetto State! Did you know there’s a trail of waterfalls through the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina’s Upcountry? There are some truly beautiful and spectacular in this area when you search for “waterfalls near me.” For the most part, the cascades that are listed here are fairly easy hikes and all family-friendly, unless otherwise noted.
Follow the “trail” to discover some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Palmetto State.
A short hike from the parking lot on Burrells Ford Road will take you straight to this 70-foot beauty. The trail rises only 270 feet over the 0.7-mile distance, making this quite the easy hike. It's one of our favorite family-friendly hikes in South Carolina thanks to its short distance and big payoff. Don't leave the Sumter National Forest just yet: there's much more to see downstream!
2. Lower King Creek area - Mountain Rest, SC 29664
As a bonus, Kings Creek will continue to deliver even more cascades. If you continue along the trail for about 200 feet past the big waterfall, you'll get to see several small cascades! These are right along the same trail as Kings Creek Falls.
This skinny waterfall chute is not quite as impressive as Kings Falls, but it's still lovely. It's a 25-foot drop that goes on for a narrow 200-foot run. The sound, the sight, and the spray are all magnificent! You can see for yourself in the video above. The trail is less than half a mile, but you'll want to watch your step. It can get a little slippery the closer you get to the narrows. You can find this trail just off Whetstone Road (Co. Road 193) near Blackwell Bridge. It's also one of the best swimming holes in South Carolina, so it's a great spot to cool off if the hiking has got you a little sweaty.
The trail to Yellow Branch Falls is slightly more difficult than the hikes above, but it's still considered moderate. It's a 1.5-mile hike that starts across the road from the Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel Park (a great destination in its own right!). Multiple ledges make for a stunning drop of 60 feet from the very top of the cascades.
Just a short hike from the parking lot will take you right to the upper Brasstown Falls, also known as the "Cascades." The beautiful 50-foot flow is worth the hike, but there's even more if you're up for the challenge!
Getting from the Cascades down to the lower Veil is not a trek for a beginner. You'll have to navigate some steep terrain and even steer over a few boulders to get there. The payoff is a million-dollar photo and a freshwater spray that's said to dampen camera lenses as far as 50 feet away! The exact location is pre-charted on the Google Maps link above.
7. Station Cove Falls at the Oconee Station Historic Site - Burrells Rest Drive, Walhalla, SC
Station Cove Falls, Burrells Rest Drive, Walhalla, SC, USA
This one's another great kid-friendly hike in South Carolina. This short hike into the Sumter National Forest is a great family outing with a stellar payoff. It yields a stunning bottoms-up view of this 60-foot stepped waterfall. Note that it's a historic site and has some staggered hours and days of operation, so you'll want to check out the South Carolina Parks website before heading out to confirm that it's accessible. The falls are located on the grounds of the Oconee Station State Historic Site.
Is this weekend sounding like a great time to get outdoors and chase waterfalls? We think it is, so start planning your next adventure now!
For more outdoor activities in the Palmetto State, Here are some easy hikes in South Carolina that you’ll want to add to your bucket list.
Address: Yellow Branch Falls, 2907-, 3023 Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC 29691, USA
Address: Station Cove Falls, Burrells Rest Drive, Walhalla, SC, USA
Address: Kings Creek Falls, South Carolina 29664, USA
Address: Chauga Narrows, Mountain Rest, SC, USA
Address: Brasstown Falls, Westminster, SC, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls Near Me In South Carolina
April 10, 2022
Lisa Sammons
What are some of the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina?
So, you’ve explored the waterfall road trip in South Carolina above and would like to see more cascades, huh? We’ve got plenty for you! Check out these hiking trails with waterfalls in South Carolina.
What are some more great hiking trails in South Carolina?
The next time you’re looking for an adventure, go out and explore our great state. The Paris Mountain Sulphur Springs Trail is one of our favorite hikes in South Carolina. At 3.8 miles in length, it’s a little challenging for a beginner, but the scenery is unbeatable!
What are some of the best parks in South Carolina?
We absolutely love Congaree National Park. It features more than 20 miles of hiking trails to explore and is such a lovely place. It’s the perfect destination to spend by yourself or to visit during a family outing.
Address: Yellow Branch Falls, 2907-, 3023 Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC 29691, USA
Address: Station Cove Falls, Burrells Rest Drive, Walhalla, SC, USA
Address: Kings Creek Falls, South Carolina 29664, USA
Address: Chauga Narrows, Mountain Rest, SC, USA
Address: Brasstown Falls, Westminster, SC, USA
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Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
