Raven Cliff Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Raven Cliff Falls is a waterfall in Greenville County, South Carolina, about 11 miles northwest of Slater-Marietta. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Greenville County, SC

Nearest town

Slater-Marietta (11 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.7 from 67 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Access

Short hike likely

Coordinates

35.10567, -82.66096

USGS topo

Table Rock quad

Getting there

Raven Cliff Falls sits about 11 miles northwest of Slater-Marietta in Greenville County. Navigate to the coordinates 35.10567, -82.66096, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away. Visitors reach it on foot by trail. Check the current trail map for distance and elevation before you go.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Raven Cliff Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

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.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Raven Cliff Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of South Carolina. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 35.10567, -82.66096 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 1,973 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

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. 67 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Raven Cliff Falls holds a 4.7-star average across 67 Google reviews, and 82% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Greenville County. Visitors have shared 1,973 photos.

Towering waterfall plunging off a cliff, with views from a platform reached via a wooded trail.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Raven Cliff Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on July 13, 1980, and it appears on the USGS Table Rock 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Raven Cliff (cliff, 0.6 mi), Julian Creek (stream, 0.8 mi), Coldbranch Mountain (summit, 1.0 mi), and Bradford Mountain (summit, 1.5 mi).

Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands. North of Greenville, the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area links Caesars Head and Jones Gap state parks across rugged, forested terrain. Raven Cliff Falls, one of the tallest in the state, plunges off a cliff and is viewed from a platform reached by a wooded trail. Rainbow Falls and Wildcat Branch Lower Falls are also in Greenville County, which holds more falls than any other county in South Carolina. In Pickens County, Reedy Cove Falls is a twin waterfall reached by a short, flat walk, making it one of the most accessible in the region.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Raven Cliff Falls about 11 miles northwest of Slater-Marietta is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 67 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Raven Cliff Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.