This waterfall 3-5 day trip is family friendly and has waterfalls in two different states. You may notice that this waterfall trip starts out just like our South Carolina Waterfalls Day Trip – and you would be correct. While this waterfall road trip clocks in at just under five hours, you would not be able to complete this trip without hurrying through in just one day.
Please note that unlike most of our trips there are minimal parking fees on a couple of the waterfalls, however we have noted them so that you can be prepared. Some places may require cash.
We are also including additional nearby activities that you can enjoy while on your waterfall trip.
Wildcat Branch Falls
This trip starts out with Wildcat Branch Falls, one of my favorite waterfalls. This waterfall is super easy to get to and has a roadside view. It’s a 30 foot waterfall that you can walk right up to the water’s edge right in front of it.
There’s also a middle fall and high fall that are not visible from the road, however there is a moderate trail that leads up to them. Neither are as impressive as the first fall, but the trail goes through a nice wooded area. The moderate trail begins at a set of stone stairs that lead you to the second waterfall (only a 10 footer).
The trail continues across some stepping stones to another staircase. Follow the dirt path past the remains of an old home to the third and last waterfall. The trail leading to the top of this fall has been closed due to safety concerns, however you can still see the waterfall from the end of trail and it is quite pretty.
Reedy River Falls
Reedy River Falls is located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina in Falls Park. Falls Park is a 26 acre park with a waterfall, trails, wooden swings and Liberty Bridge (a large suspension bridge which is amazing to look at in the evening). Reedy River Falls is a 40 foot waterfall. Reedy River Falls is actually made up of three separate waterfalls with several smaller cascades surrounding the waterfalls.
The trails throughout the park make it easy for both wheelchairs and strollers to get to excellent waterfall views. You can literally walk right up to the falls if you want. The park is well lit at night, and they even put colored lights around the different areas to make it look very nice. If you’re staying nearby, I’d recommend a trip at night as well as in the daytime. They are totally different experiences.
There are many other interesting things to do in Greenville while you are in the area. Some of our personal favorites are Mice on Main, Greenville Zoo and the horse drawn carriage rides. Click here to discover other fun things to do while in Greenville.
Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls is located inside Cedar Falls park in Greenville County. The Reedy River at this point widens to over 200 feet, cascading over rocks to create a beautiful and picturesque waterfall.
Currently there is a partially paved hiking trail that runs alongside the Reedy River by the waterfall and the dam. There are also many little pathways that take you right down to the water’s edge.
There’s also picnic areas and a really nice playground if you want to spend a day with the family at the park. If you are in the Greenville area, you may want to add this to your list of things to do in the area.
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.
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.
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.
Issaqueena Falls
Issaqueena Falls is a 100 foot waterfall located inside Stumphouse Tunnel Park (note that there is a $2 parking fee at the park) about 7 miles west of Walhalla. Issaqueena Falls can be viewed from a observation deck about 200 yards from the parking lot. However, it is sometimes obstructed by the trees.
From the observation deck there is a steep trail to your right that will take you to the base of the waterfall. The trail to the observation deck is easy, however the trail to the base of the waterfall is moderate.
Nearby there is a picnic area and Stumphouse Tunnel, which is 25 feet high and 17 feet wide. The tunnel is the remains of an 1850s attempt to link the port of Charleston to the cities of the Midwest by rail. However the Civil War brought the construction to an end, extending 1,617 feet into the mountain. You can walk a ways into the tunnel, but it is really dark and you will need a flashlight to find your way.
Bull Sluice Falls
Bull Sluice Falls is more of a rapids, rather than a waterfall, however it is still quite pretty to see. Bull Sluice Falls is located on the Georgia and South Carolina border on the Chattooga River. This waterfall was featured in the film Deliverance.
Be sure to park on the South Carolina side. Follow the paved trail to the left of the Information Station. Then turn right onto the gravel trail and follow it to the observation platform. The trail is a very easy 15 minute walk on a paved trail that will take you to an observation platform. To return to your car, simply turn around and go back the way you came.
There is also another trail that will take you to the water’s edge downstream from the rapids, which can be fun to skip rocks at.
Becky Branch Falls
Becky Branch Falls can be found in Warwoman Dell on the Bartram Trail in east of Clayton, Georgia. It is a twenty foot waterfall. Becky Branch Falls has its own trail, Becky Branch Falls Trail, which is located where Bartram crosses Warwoman Road.
The trail is a moderate 0.6 mile loop. The trail goes through the forest to a bridge over Becky Branch where you view the falls.
Tallulah Falls & Gorge
Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Multiple trails around the park take you to several overlooks. There are several impressive views of the gorge and its waterfalls.
There are also exhibits inside the park building that highlight the town, and animals located in the gorge area and the ecosystem.
Several trails are easy to walk with a few moderates. Some are also wheelchair and stroller accessible. One unusual trail one takes you to a suspension bridge 80 feet above the ground with an amazing view of the waterfalls and river.
You can also obtain a permit to hike to the gorge floor (100 per day, not available during water releases). These are in limited availability, so arrive early to get one. I cannot rate the hike to the gorge floor as I have not hiked it.
Park hours are 8 am to dark and there is a $5 parking fee. There’s lots to do at Tallulah Gorge State Park so be sure to plan lots of time to fully enjoy everything this amazing park has to offer.
Toccoa Falls
Toccoa Falls is located in Stephens County, Georgia on the campus of Toccoa Falls College. The waterfall has a 186 feet vertical drop, making it one of the highest free-falling waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.
The hike to the falls is short and easy with a wide compacted scenic path that follows the river. The trail to the falls is wheelchair accessible.
Visitors enter through Toccoa Falls Books & Gifts located in Gate Cottage and then walk to the base on a scenic path next to a flowing stream.
Toccoa Falls is open year round and a $2 fee.
We hope you enjoyed our waterfall trip. We will be adding additional waterfall multi-day trips, so please keep checking our website for updates with additional waterfall trips.
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