Station Cove Falls

Station Cove Falls (also known as Oconee Station Falls or Station Falls) is a 60 foot waterfall located in Sumter National Forest in Oconee County, South Carolina. The trail is an easy, 30-minute hike through the beautiful Appalachian forest, which takes you to Station Cove Falls, a stepped 60-foot waterfall.  Station Creek Falls is formed from headwaters atop Station Mountain.

The short, easy trail is mostly flat and crosses a couple of wooden footbridges and the creek. The 0.5-mile hike begins behind the bulletin board.  Follow to a wooden stile.  Cross the stile and in 0.15 mile you will come to Station Creek. Cross on the stepping stones.  The falls will be visible on the right. Continue 100 feet on the trail up Station Creek to the base of the falls.

In the spring and summer, numerous wildflowers bloom along the trail. You may see trillium, pink lady’s slipper orchids, bloodroot, and redbud.  The boulders at the base of the falls make a nice area for relaxing and enjoying the beauty of the Appalachian forest.

If you have time, be sure to check out the nearby Oconee Station State Historic Site (about 1 mile),which the county’s first European settlers built in 1792. The block house was used as a military outpost to guard against attacks by the Cherokee Indians. During the early 1800s the Indians used the building as a trading post.

The adjacent Richards house, constructed in 1805, was built by William Richards, a soldier who served nearby and decided to remain after the Revolution. It is thought to be the first brick house built in the northwest corner of South Carolina. During the early nineteenth century the house served as a stagecoach stop.