The 10 Most Mesmerizing South Carolina Waterfalls

6. Twin Falls

• Location: Water Falls Rd, Sunset, SC 29685
• Distance from Greenville: 1 hour
• Hike required?: Yes (about a 1/4 of mile to an observing deck, easy)
• Highlight: 2 waterfalls via 1 hike
• What to do nearby: Take a cruise on Lake Jocassee

Twin Falls, aka Eastatoe Falls, is the most unique of the options on this list as you will get to see 2 adjacent waterfalls via 1 really simple hike. Hiking to the waterfall will take you no longer than 15 minutes. Featuring a tranquil forest setting, this is one hike where I wouldn’t really mind if it did go on just a bit longer. I’ve never seen a double waterfalls so this was a pretty cool experience for me.

The larger of the 2 falls plunges down about 75 feet. The drive to the falls from Greenville is quite long, yet so worth it. Fortunately, the drive is rustic and quiet, so really an activity in and of itself it you think about it. This helps to justify driving out so far for a short hike. Like Station Cove, this waterfall is still quite visually stunning in the winter and the trail completely devoid of foot traffic, so this is the perfect time to visit if you prefer to avoid tourist traffic!

7. King Creek Falls

• Location: Burrells Ford Rd, Mountain Rest, SC 29664
• Distance from Greenville: 1.5 hours
• Hiking required?: Yes (0.7 miles out-and-back, moderate)
• Highlight: Located in close proximity to 2 other spectacular falls
• What to do nearby: Spoonauger (another beauty)

Kings Creek is a stunning under visited waterfall which ranks right up there with the best-of-the-best in my opinion. Considering the hike is fairly moderate, the payoff is huge. I just love the look of this one.

Hiking to this 70 foot cascading beauty consists of a moderately challenging 1/2 mile trek. The forest is dense with trees and very shady, and thus, this one is perfect even during the hot summer season. The journey is a bit of a scramble due to several downed trees, and numerous points where you have to climb over rocks, yet worth it in the end. While big crowds tend to congregate near most waterfalls, Kings Creeks remains relatively isolated. Thus, you can take your time and unwind here for a bit, cool off your feet in the water, and enjoy the uninterrupted view before hiking the return journey.

8. Yellow Branch Falls

• Location: 2907-3023 Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC 29691
• Distance from Greenville: 1.5 hours
• Hiking required?: Yes (1.3 miles out-and-back, moderate)
• Highlight: Quiet shady setting

Yellow Branch is another beauty in Oconee County. If you are really short on time, you can easily combine a few of these nearby waterfalls into one single visit. That is, if you are up for a lot of hiking! Right after a major storm is the best time to plan your visit to see the waterfall at its’ highest intensity. Unfortunately, the flow can be no more than a trickle if you visit after a dry spell. July, August, and December are typically the rainiest months.

However, if you do time your visit just perfectly, you will get to enjoy one of the most magnificent of all the Upstate waterfalls. While the falls only reach a height of 50 feet, the numerous cascades really create a postcard worthy natural setting. As you can see, we timed our hike after a rainy period so the falls was quite attractive.

9. Miuka Falls

• Location: SC-107, Walhalla, SC 29691 (look for a small lot down the road from the Cherry Hill Recreation Area).
• Distance from Greenville: 1 hour, 20 min
• Hiking required: Yes (1 mile out-and-back, moderate)
• Highlight: Totally secluded
• What to do nearby: South Carolina Botanical Garden

This waterfall hike is best suited for those who prefer off-the-beaten path adventures. While the hike is not overly challenging, the scrambling down to the waterfall entails a bit of maneuvering and climbing up and down a steep hill. It can be slightly challenging for anyone not used to hiking on an unmaintained trail and requires a bit of balance. A good hiking stick and shoes with plenty of traction comes in handy on this one.

Miuka Falls is located about 1 mile into the Winding Stairs trail. The falls is a bit hidden and quite hard to find. I guess this is part of the fun if you are up for a bit of adventure. After coming across an obscured observation point, you can choose to scramble down to the base of the waterfall. A bit of a hassle, but worth it for a prime view of this 75 foot beauty. The way back is quite steep, so keep this in mind and bring plenty of water.

10. Spoonauger Falls

• Location: Burrells Ford Rd Mountain Rest, SC (Drive about a half mile past the Burrells Ford campground and look for a trailhead sign for Chattooga River trail).
• Distance from Greenville: 1 hour, 30 min
• Hiking required: Yes (about 1/2 mile, 15 min)
• Highlight: Extremely peaceful and woodsy
• What to do nearby: King’s Creek Falls (just a 1/2 mile down the road)

Spoonauger Falls is one of the prettiest waterfalls in the Upstate. Unfortunately, seeing this beauty comes at a price. First off, the trail is hard to find and you need to navigate a rough road to get to the trailhead. Be on the lookout for the Chattooga River trail, which is located about a half mile down from the Burrells Ford campground. Second, the hike is very short, and thus, not a great bang-for-your-buck experience considering the long drive to get here.

Nonetheless, it is a gorgeous waterfall which is worth making the time for if you plan on being in the area for more than a few days. The forest is so serene and never overly crowded. To make your trip more worthwhile, combine this short hike with the slightly longer trek to King’s Creek, another beauty located just down the road.