Hiking Hotspot: Raven Cliff Falls at Caesars Head State Park
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Since moving to the beautiful Upstate region, I have explored many of the state parks and waterfalls within an easy drive of Greenville. This city is a great base because you can basically take a quick drive up to the mountains and come back and enjoy great restaurants and urban amenities. One of my favorites parks for leaf peeping is Caesars Head State Park.
Caesars head joins with nearby Jones Gap State Park. Together, the 2 parks comprise a 13,000 acre stretch of land referred to as the Mountain Bridge Wilderness area. The two parks offer more than 60 miles of trails, some easy, others intense all day adventures. In any case, being prepared with adequate water, snacks, and appropriate workout wear is crucial.
This park gets its’ unique name from an overlook at the top of a rocky outcrop of the Blue Ridge escarpment. Some believe that this rock looks like Julius Caesar’s head. The escarpment is basically an area where the Blue Ridge mountains end and the rolling foothill scenery begins. The Cherokee Indians referred to the escarpment as “The Blue Wall.” There are multiple theories as to the unique naming. According to the park, the most likely explanation involves an explorer, naming it in honor of his dog, Caesar, who fell off a cliff.
The overlook: A beautiful viewpoint for non-hikers
There is a gorgeous overlook here which is the perfect alternative for anyone not up for a hiking adventure. I would say the drive from Greenville is well worth especially in the fall when Hwy 276 is lined with bold fall colors.
From this 3200 foot overlook, you can enjoy 360 degree views of the beautiful rolling hills countryside. From here, you can see Table Rock mountain, and on a clear, day, Paris Mountain near Greenville. Fall is the best time to plan your visit as amazing golden hues color the background.
Bird watchers may be interested to know that this park is a North American Hawk Migration site. September 1st-December 1st it’s possible to see thousands in a single day. We saw lots of avid birdwatchers during our November visit.
The story behind Devil’s Kitchen
Another must-do if you do not plan on hiking (to justify the lengthy drive over from Greenville/Asheville) is to check out the interesting backstory behind Devil’s Kitchen. This narrow passageway located between 2 massive rocks is just large enough for one person to squeeze through at a time.
The crack in the rock is likely the result of intense pressure from freezing water. However, local myths and legends state that the devil himself spilled hot liquid on the rock, thereby forming the crack!
A short trail begins just behind the visitors center.
*You will want to avoid this one if you are at all claustrophobic!*
The Raven Cliff Falls trail
The most popular trail at this state park, and rightfully so for the incredible scenery, is the Raven Cliff falls trail. This 2 mile out-and-back trail leads you to a breathtaking vista of 420 foot tall Raven Cliff falls. There are many great waterfalls throughout the Upstate, but this one claims the title of the tallest. It’s not as scenic in my opinion, but I love the leafy backdrop.
The hike is a bit challenging with numerous steep sections and an overall elevation gain of about 700 feet. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the better bang-for-your-buck hikes in the area considering the beautiful ending vista of the waterfall. Not to mention the gorgeous forested views throughout!
With the immense popularity, you would think the trail would be super congested, although this is not necessarily the case. There are so many miles of trails here which helps to disperse the traffic a bit. Despite the popularity of the park in general, this park is a place where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature, far away from any city setting. I’ve never noticed any overcrowding on any of my visits. If anything, there are more crowds around the overlook rather than on the hiking trails.
A great place to leaf peep!
The Upstate region is such a hidden gem for leaf peepers and hikers. This park is no exception. As this is a hardwood forest, the leaf peeping is pretty amazing during the peak of fall (usually mid November). Bright golden and reddish hues surround you on both sides of the trail. An abundance of hickory and oak trees easily makes this one of the best fall foliage destinations in the Blue Ridge region.
Here’s a look at some colorful foliage from my last hike
A great day trip from either Greenville or Ashevile
Conveniently, this state park is located about an hour from both Greenville and Asheville. Both of these bustling, fast growing cities are immensely popular for their thriving downtown and foodie scenes. Greenville’s Main Street is amazing and you can’t beat the foodie, art, and coffee scene in Asheville. Either city is perfect as a base destination for exploring the Upstate region’s hikes and waterfalls.
Unfortunately, the bulk of tourists in both cities often forget about the beautiful recreational opportunities nearby. To me, the benefit of living in either city (I’ve lived in both at one point) is the easy access to nature and waterfalls. Definitely take some time out if you have a car available.
Caesars Head is a wonderful daytrip from either city as there are a wide range of hikes available. Whether you are an avid hiker, or simply seeking a quiet nature trail, you will find something here to suit your interest. The drive to get to the park is as picturesque as the hiking itself, with US 276 loaded with incredible foliage every November. So even if you are not up for hiking, the scenic drive plus the overlook makes it worthy of a daytrip in my opinion.
Hiking details
- Location: 8155 Geer Hwy Cleveland, SC 29635
- Admission fee: $3 per adult, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 6-15
- Hours: Trails close 1 hour before dark, year-round. Park hours are 9am-6pm (9pm during daylight savings time).
- Distance: 2 miles out-and-back
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 700 feet
- Pet policy: Dogs allowed, although they must be on a leash less than 6 feet
- Accessibility: Restrooms, the visitor center, and the overlook are wheelchair accessible
A few helpful tips for a great hike
Bring with plenty of water and a few snacks. I recommend using a camelbak for a hike of this intensity.
Wear hiking shoes. This area gets plenty of rain, and therefore, trails are often muddy. Plus, the shoes will give you more traction. Also, it’s always best to check the forecast beforehand – you don’t want to get stuck on the trail in the rain. Fortunately, the fall season is pretty dry.
Bring with a zoom lens to get a great picture of the waterfall. Although the waterfall looks fantastic in person, it is quite far away from the overlook, picture-wise. Unfortunately, I forgot my lens!
Fill up with a great breakfast prior to heading to the park. The drive, the hike itself, and finding parking add much more time than you think. There are so many great breakfast dining choices in both Greenville and Asheville. One choice you can’t go wrong with in either city is Biscuit Head (featuring a self service jam bar and scratch made biscuits) and Tupelo Honey (southern style comfort fare. I love their biscuits and honey!).
