5 Must-See Waterfalls in South Carolina (2026)
If you only have time for five South Carolina waterfalls, make it these: the state's most visited falls, spread out so the list covers the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges, Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands, and Piedmont and the Fall Line.
How We Picked
These are the five most visited South Carolina waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Isaqueena Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why it is a must-see
With 230 Google reviews it is the single most visited waterfall in South Carolina, and it holds 4.7 stars. In short: "Tranquil spot featuring a cascading waterfall with an observation deck & hiking trails." 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Hidden Falls and Dick's Creek Falls. 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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2. Reedy Cove Falls
Pickens, SC · Pickens County · Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands
Why it is a must-see
With 133 Google reviews it is the 2nd most visited waterfall in South Carolina, and it holds 4.8 stars. In short: "Scenic spot with a twin waterfall, accessed by a short, flat walk to a viewing platform." 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Whitewater Falls and Clearwater Falls. 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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3. Kings Creek Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why it is a must-see
With 68 Google reviews it is the 3rd most visited waterfall in South Carolina, and it holds 4.9 stars. 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Spoonauger Falls and Big Bend Falls. It is one of 7 named falls in the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges region. The nearest town is Walhalla, about 14 miles to the south.
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4. Raven Cliff Falls
Slater-Marietta, SC · Greenville County · Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands
Why it is a must-see
With 67 Google reviews it is the 4th most visited waterfall in South Carolina, and it holds 4.7 stars. In short: "Towering waterfall plunging off a cliff, with views from a platform reached via a wooded trail." 10 more named waterfalls lie within 15 miles, including Slicking Falls and Wildcat Branch Upper Falls. 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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5. Gordons Mill Falls
Clinton, SC · Laurens County · Piedmont and the Fall Line
Why it is a must-see
With 9 Google reviews it is the 14th most visited waterfall in South Carolina, and it holds 4.9 stars. It is one of 8 named falls in the Piedmont and the Fall Line region. The nearest town is Clinton, about 8.5 miles to the south.
A Route Linking All Five
Starting from the northernmost pick and always heading to the nearest remaining one, the five cover about 112 straight-line miles. Road distances are longer.
- Raven Cliff Falls (start, near Slater-Marietta)
- Reedy Cove Falls, about 11 mi southwest
- Kings Creek Falls, about 17 mi west
- Isaqueena Falls, about 11 mi south
- Gordons Mill Falls, about 73 mi east
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.
Explore More South Carolina Waterfalls
See all 27 waterfalls in the South Carolina waterfall guide, or browse by town: Walhalla, Pickens, Slater-Marietta, Clinton.
More South Carolina Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one must-see waterfall in South Carolina?
Isaqueena Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.7-star rating from 230 Google reviews. It is near Walhalla in Oconee County.
How was this list made?
These are the five most visited South Carolina waterfalls rated 4.2 stars or higher, measured by Google review count, with no two picks within 8 miles of each other so the list covers more of the state.
Can you see all five in one trip?
The five are about 112 straight-line miles apart in total when visited in the order suggested above. Most people split them across two or more days.
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.