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.
Google Maps You can check out the full road trip directions on Google Maps.
Let’s hit the “trail” through the Sumter National Forest and go chase some waterfalls!
- Kings Creek Falls - Mountain Rest, SC 29664
TripAdvisor/Rita J 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! Kings Creek Falls, South Carolina 29664, USA
- Lower King Creek area - Mountain Rest, SC 29664
Jack M Brewer Jr/Alltrails 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.
- Chauga Narrows - Mountain Rest, SC 29664
YouTube/colong7034 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. Chauga Narrows, Mountain Rest, SC, USA
- Yellow Branch Falls - 2907-, 3023 Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC 29691
TripAdvisor/jmpncsu 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. Yellow Branch Falls, 2907-, 3023 Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC 29691, USA
- Brasstown Falls (Cascades/Upper Falls) - Westminster, SC 29693
Sharon Kilzer/Google Maps 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! Brasstown Falls, Westminster, SC, USA
- Brasstown Veil (just downstream from Brasstown Cascade) - Westminster, SC 29693
lilieth molnar/Alltrails 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.
- Station Cove Falls at the Oconee Station Historic Site - Burrells Rest Drive, Walhalla, SC
TripAdvisor/jmpncsu 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. Station Cove Falls, Burrells Rest Drive, Walhalla, SC, USA
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!
Google Maps
You can check out the full road trip directions on Google Maps.
Let’s hit the “trail” through the Sumter National Forest and go chase some waterfalls!
TripAdvisor/Rita J
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!
Kings Creek Falls, South Carolina 29664, USA
Jack M Brewer Jr/Alltrails
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.
YouTube/colong7034
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.
Chauga Narrows, Mountain Rest, SC, USA
TripAdvisor/jmpncsu
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.
Yellow Branch Falls, 2907-, 3023 Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC 29691, USA
Sharon Kilzer/Google Maps
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!
Brasstown Falls, Westminster, SC, USA
lilieth molnar/Alltrails
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.
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.
Station Cove Falls, Burrells Rest Drive, Walhalla, SC, USA
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.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
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.
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.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
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.
