5 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in South Carolina (2026 Updated)
These 5 South Carolina waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Reedy Cove Falls, Isaqueena Falls, and Raven Cliff Falls. The list spans the Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands, Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges, and Piedmont and the Fall Line.
How We Picked
We started with the 5 publicly accessible South Carolina waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Reedy Cove Falls
Pickens, SC · Pickens County · Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands
Why hike it
On the trail: "Scenic spot with a twin waterfall, accessed by a short, flat walk to a viewing platform." It is rated 4.8 stars by 133 Google reviewers. Twisting Pine Mountain, a summit 0.8 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 12 named falls in the Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands region. The nearest town is Pickens, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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2. Isaqueena Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why hike it
On the trail: "Tranquil spot featuring a cascading waterfall with an observation deck & hiking trails." It is rated 4.7 stars by 230 Google reviewers. Stumphouse Mountain, a summit 0.9 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 7 named falls in the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges region. The nearest town is Walhalla, about 4.3 miles to the southeast.
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3. Raven Cliff Falls
Slater-Marietta, SC · Greenville County · Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands
Why hike it
On the trail: "Towering waterfall plunging off a cliff, with views from a platform reached via a wooded trail." It is rated 4.7 stars by 67 Google reviewers. 4 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Slicking Falls and Wildcat Branch Upper Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Coldbranch Mountain, a summit 1.0 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 12 named falls in the Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands region. The nearest town is Slater-Marietta, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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4. Lower Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why hike it
On the trail: "Dramatic cascade on the Whitewater River with a 1.9-mile hiking trail to a viewing platform." It is rated 4.3 stars by 32 Google reviewers. 3 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Corbin Creek Falls and Upper Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Whitewater Mountain, a summit 0.3 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 7 named falls in the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges region. The nearest town is Walhalla, about 18 miles to the south.
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5. The Falls
Red Hill, SC · Marion County · Piedmont and the Fall Line
Why hike it
It is rated 3.1 stars by 9 Google reviewers. It is one of 8 named falls in the Piedmont and the Fall Line region. The nearest town is Red Hill, about 3.3 miles to the southeast.
When to Visit South Carolina's Waterfalls
Upstate South Carolina has a long waterfall season. Late winter through spring, roughly February to May, typically brings the strongest flow and the most consistent rainfall, along with wildflowers in the coves and blooming mountain laurel and rhododendron along streams from late spring into early summer. Summer is hot and humid, but frequent afternoon thunderstorms keep many escarpment falls running, and popular trailheads see heavy weekend traffic. Fall foliage usually peaks from late October into early November and draws crowds to Caesars Head and Table Rock. Dry spells in late summer and fall can reduce smaller falls. Winters are generally mild, though occasional cold snaps can leave ice on rocks and trails at higher elevations. Tropical systems occasionally bring flooding in late summer and fall.
Before You Go
Most Upstate falls are on public land in the Sumter National Forest, state parks such as Oconee, Caesars Head, Jones Gap and Devils Fork, and state-managed lands in the Jocassee Gorges. South Carolina State Parks charge admission at many parks. Trailheads can be at the end of narrow, winding roads, and parking at the most popular falls fills early on weekends. The escarpment's hazards are serious: wet granite near falls is extremely slick, and people climbing on or above falls have been seriously injured or killed. Stay on trails and behind railings. Streams can rise quickly after storms, and some falls require stream crossings that become dangerous in high water.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More South Carolina Waterfalls
See all 27 waterfalls in the South Carolina waterfall guide, or browse by town: Pickens, Walhalla, Slater-Marietta, Red Hill.
More South Carolina Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in South Carolina?
Reedy Cove Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 133 Google reviews. It is near Pickens in Pickens County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 5 publicly accessible South Carolina waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in South Carolina?
Our directory lists 27 named waterfalls in South Carolina. See them all, sorted by town, in the South Carolina waterfall guide.
Where are most of South Carolina's waterfalls?
Most are in Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in the state's northwestern corner. Greenville County has the most, followed by Oconee County.