The upstate of South Carolina is rich with breathtaking waterfalls. But, unlike our neighbor to the north where you can hop on US 64 and see several waterfalls in an afternoon, it seems waterfall hopping isn’t all that easy in the Palmetto State. Or is it? Is it possible to see the best waterfalls in South Carolina on one road trip? You bet it is, just follow this map of waterfalls in South Carolina and we’ll take you there.
At Only in South Carolina we found the Internet to be loaded with lists and lists of waterfalls to see in our beautiful state. We picked out seven waterfalls with relatively easy access and created this easy-to-follow route. The total trip is 189 miles with an estimated four and a half hours drive time. We’ve included a link to the Google Map here.
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Google Maps
- Wildcat Wayside Falls - a.k.a. Wildcat Branch Falls
Bill Herndon/Flickr This 30-foot waterfall can be seen from the highway but there’s ample space to park and get out. If you wander up the stairs to the left you’ll get a look at the 100-foot sections of the two upper falls. If you’re looking for more info about Wildcat Wayside Falls, we’ve got you covered. If you take a peek at your waterfalls map you’ll see Wildcat Wayside Falls is our first stop. Take a look at what you’ll find there in this video from Coastal Things:
Wildcat Branch Falls, 5500 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635, USA
- Carrick Creek Falls
Joe Plocki/Flickr Surprise! These falls are just a short walk (1/4 mile) down a paved path from the parking lot at Table Rock State Park. The 15-foot fall rolls into a deep pool at this point. If you decide to stay on the Carrick Creek trail (it continues unpaved for 2 miles) you’ll find even more surprises along the trail. This is perhaps one of the most popular waterfall hikes in South Carolina, and it provides a beautiful view. Carrick Creek Falls, 388 Table Rock State Park Rd, Pickens, SC 29671, USA
- Twin Falls
Joe Plocki/Flickr Twin Falls was just named by Only In South Carolina as The #1 Waterfall(s) to see in the state. One reason is easy access. A short hike along a pleasant stream ends up here, overlooking this massive 75-foot vertical drop on the left and a cascading flow on the right. There’s no scenic hike just like it, and the view is breathtaking. Twin Falls Trail, Waterfalls Rd, Sunset, SC 29685
- Issaqueena Falls
Bill Herndon/Flickr This 200-foot cascading beauty is located a short and relatively easy 15-minute hike from the parking lot along Hwy 28 just north of Walhalla. It’s a waterfall hike that simply can’t be missed, and though it’s a bit off the beaten path, some say that it’s one of the best waterfalls in South Carolina. Let’s continue our South Carolina waterfalls tour with a journey to see Issaqueena Falls at Stumphouse Mountain Park in this video from Let’s Go Liz:
Issaqueena Falls, South Carolina 29691, USA
- Chau Ram County Park
Joe Plocki/Flickr This one tops the list of easy access! You can see it from your car in the parking lot, which makes it the perfect spot for families trekking little ones across the state. If you’re looking for a quick and easy view while you road trip across South Carolina, Chau Ram County Park has the answer. Chau Ram County Park, 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693, USA
- Cedar Falls
David Hill/Flickr These falls are a must-see because at this point the Reedy River widens to 200 feet. It’s a short walk on a paved trail to this point, and a true South Carolina gem. If you’re looking for a fairly easy hike with the view of a lifetime, this is it. We’d recommend visiting during the warmer months when the surrounding natural area becomes a truly lush paradise. Cedar Falls, South Carolina 29058, USA
- Reedy Falls
dustinphillips/Flickr Reedy Falls in Falls Park on the Reedy is the centerpiece of downtown Greenville. Stand over the river and look down at the 25-foot cascading falls from Liberty Bridge. If this isn’t one of the best waterfalls in South Carolina, we’re not sure what is. Take a trip to Falls Park on the Reedy River to see the hiking trails, sculptures, and of course, the beautiful waterfalls around Greenville in this video:
Reedy Falls, 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
Did you know these waterfalls could be organized into such an easy route? Now that you have a map of waterfalls in South Carolina are you up for a road trip to some of the best waterfalls in South Carolina?
Google Maps
Bill Herndon/Flickr
This 30-foot waterfall can be seen from the highway but there’s ample space to park and get out. If you wander up the stairs to the left you’ll get a look at the 100-foot sections of the two upper falls. If you’re looking for more info about Wildcat Wayside Falls, we’ve got you covered. If you take a peek at your waterfalls map you’ll see Wildcat Wayside Falls is our first stop. Take a look at what you’ll find there in this video from Coastal Things:
Wildcat Branch Falls, 5500 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635, USA
Joe Plocki/Flickr
Surprise! These falls are just a short walk (1/4 mile) down a paved path from the parking lot at Table Rock State Park. The 15-foot fall rolls into a deep pool at this point. If you decide to stay on the Carrick Creek trail (it continues unpaved for 2 miles) you’ll find even more surprises along the trail. This is perhaps one of the most popular waterfall hikes in South Carolina, and it provides a beautiful view.
Carrick Creek Falls, 388 Table Rock State Park Rd, Pickens, SC 29671, USA
Twin Falls was just named by Only In South Carolina as The #1 Waterfall(s) to see in the state. One reason is easy access. A short hike along a pleasant stream ends up here, overlooking this massive 75-foot vertical drop on the left and a cascading flow on the right. There’s no scenic hike just like it, and the view is breathtaking.
Twin Falls Trail, Waterfalls Rd, Sunset, SC 29685
This 200-foot cascading beauty is located a short and relatively easy 15-minute hike from the parking lot along Hwy 28 just north of Walhalla. It’s a waterfall hike that simply can’t be missed, and though it’s a bit off the beaten path, some say that it’s one of the best waterfalls in South Carolina. Let’s continue our South Carolina waterfalls tour with a journey to see Issaqueena Falls at Stumphouse Mountain Park in this video from Let’s Go Liz:
Issaqueena Falls, South Carolina 29691, USA
This one tops the list of easy access! You can see it from your car in the parking lot, which makes it the perfect spot for families trekking little ones across the state. If you’re looking for a quick and easy view while you road trip across South Carolina, Chau Ram County Park has the answer.
Chau Ram County Park, 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693, USA
David Hill/Flickr
These falls are a must-see because at this point the Reedy River widens to 200 feet. It’s a short walk on a paved trail to this point, and a true South Carolina gem. If you’re looking for a fairly easy hike with the view of a lifetime, this is it. We’d recommend visiting during the warmer months when the surrounding natural area becomes a truly lush paradise.
Cedar Falls, South Carolina 29058, USA
dustinphillips/Flickr
Reedy Falls in Falls Park on the Reedy is the centerpiece of downtown Greenville. Stand over the river and look down at the 25-foot cascading falls from Liberty Bridge. If this isn’t one of the best waterfalls in South Carolina, we’re not sure what is. Take a trip to Falls Park on the Reedy River to see the hiking trails, sculptures, and of course, the beautiful waterfalls around Greenville in this video:
Reedy Falls, 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601
If you are looking for even more family fun and enjoy hiking in South Carolina, check out these 7 kid-friendly hikes in SC.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Waterfalls In South Carolina January 04, 2020 Meghan Kraft What are the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina? Some of the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina include:
Wildcat Wayside Falls: Hike along the Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail for stunning views of the upper, lower, and middle Wildcat Falls. Twin Falls: This waterfall goes by many names including Twin Falls, Rock Falls, Reedy Cove Falls, and Eastatoe Falls. Whatever name you prefer, you’ll enjoy a lovely day spent in perfectly natural isolation. Blue Hole Falls: A short but somewhat challenging hike leads to an open pool of water with a stunning waterfall. Raven Cliff Falls: A very challenging hike but with big rewards including a cool suspension bridge before you get to the falls.
Although we’d argue the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina can be found above, there are all sorts of stunning hikes throughout the state that are well worth an afternoon spent in nature. What is the largest waterfall in South Carolina? Raven Cliff Falls, the tallest waterfall in South Carolina, is one of the hardest to get to, though the payoff for the trek through Caesars Head State Park makes it worth it. Accessible by a lengthy, advanced hiking trail, Raven Cliff Falls is estimated to fall 400 feet. Are there any other scenic hikes in South Carolina? Some scenic hikes in South Carolina Include:
Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park Lynches River County Park Congaree National Park Swan Lake Irish Garden
South Carolina is full of beautiful, scenic hikes, though most folks seem to stop exploring the state at the coast. We’d recommend Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park for the scenery, as well as any hiking trail in Lynches River State Park. The Riverwalk tends to be fairly popular. Congaree National Park has a very popular 2.4-mile hike that takes you along a boardwalk into the park, and the Swan Lake Irish Garden is a leisurely hike that has an abundance of Japanese Iris along the 3/4 of a mile hiking trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Waterfalls In South Carolina
January 04, 2020
Meghan Kraft
What are the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina? Some of the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina include:
Wildcat Wayside Falls: Hike along the Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail for stunning views of the upper, lower, and middle Wildcat Falls. Twin Falls: This waterfall goes by many names including Twin Falls, Rock Falls, Reedy Cove Falls, and Eastatoe Falls. Whatever name you prefer, you’ll enjoy a lovely day spent in perfectly natural isolation. Blue Hole Falls: A short but somewhat challenging hike leads to an open pool of water with a stunning waterfall. Raven Cliff Falls: A very challenging hike but with big rewards including a cool suspension bridge before you get to the falls.
Although we’d argue the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina can be found above, there are all sorts of stunning hikes throughout the state that are well worth an afternoon spent in nature. What is the largest waterfall in South Carolina? Raven Cliff Falls, the tallest waterfall in South Carolina, is one of the hardest to get to, though the payoff for the trek through Caesars Head State Park makes it worth it. Accessible by a lengthy, advanced hiking trail, Raven Cliff Falls is estimated to fall 400 feet. Are there any other scenic hikes in South Carolina? Some scenic hikes in South Carolina Include:
Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park Lynches River County Park Congaree National Park Swan Lake Irish Garden
South Carolina is full of beautiful, scenic hikes, though most folks seem to stop exploring the state at the coast. We’d recommend Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park for the scenery, as well as any hiking trail in Lynches River State Park. The Riverwalk tends to be fairly popular. Congaree National Park has a very popular 2.4-mile hike that takes you along a boardwalk into the park, and the Swan Lake Irish Garden is a leisurely hike that has an abundance of Japanese Iris along the 3/4 of a mile hiking trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina include:
- Wildcat Wayside Falls: Hike along the Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail for stunning views of the upper, lower, and middle Wildcat Falls.
- Twin Falls: This waterfall goes by many names including Twin Falls, Rock Falls, Reedy Cove Falls, and Eastatoe Falls. Whatever name you prefer, you’ll enjoy a lovely day spent in perfectly natural isolation.
- Blue Hole Falls: A short but somewhat challenging hike leads to an open pool of water with a stunning waterfall.
- Raven Cliff Falls: A very challenging hike but with big rewards including a cool suspension bridge before you get to the falls.
Although we’d argue the best waterfall hikes in South Carolina can be found above, there are all sorts of stunning hikes throughout the state that are well worth an afternoon spent in nature.
What is the largest waterfall in South Carolina?
Raven Cliff Falls, the tallest waterfall in South Carolina, is one of the hardest to get to, though the payoff for the trek through Caesars Head State Park makes it worth it. Accessible by a lengthy, advanced hiking trail, Raven Cliff Falls is estimated to fall 400 feet. Are there any other scenic hikes in South Carolina? Some scenic hikes in South Carolina Include:
- Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park
- Lynches River County Park
- Congaree National Park
- Swan Lake Irish Garden
South Carolina is full of beautiful, scenic hikes, though most folks seem to stop exploring the state at the coast. We’d recommend Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park for the scenery, as well as any hiking trail in Lynches River State Park. The Riverwalk tends to be fairly popular. Congaree National Park has a very popular 2.4-mile hike that takes you along a boardwalk into the park, and the Swan Lake Irish Garden is a leisurely hike that has an abundance of Japanese Iris along the 3/4 of a mile hiking trail.
