South Carolina’s corner county has 150 waterfalls and one drops 120 feet in three acts

Oconee County’s water won’t quit

You drive to the far western tip of South Carolina, right up against the Georgia line, and the creeks start stacking waterfalls on top of each other.

Brasstown Falls sits deep in Sumter National Forest, where one creek drops about 120 feet across three separate falls. Each one has its own name: the Cascades, the Veil, and the Sluice.

The valley around them is quiet, wooded, and far from anything resembling a city. Hurricane Helene closed part of the trail in 2024, but there’s still plenty of water to chase in Oconee County.

The lower trail is closed, but the top drop still runs

Hurricane Helene tore through here in 2024 and damaged the lower section of the main trail. Everything below the first viewing platform stays shut, and the Forest Service hasn’t named a reopening date.

But you can still reach the upper falls, the Cascades, and the first observation deck. Conditions shift out here, so check the Forest Service website before you make the drive.

You don’t want to find out at the trailhead that something changed overnight.

Fifty feet of water sliding down open rock

The Cascades is the first and tallest of the three drops, falling about 50 feet over a wide face of rock ledges. The water spreads thin across the stone and gathers in a calm pool at the bottom.

A newer observation deck gives you a clear, safe look at the whole thing without scrambling over anything.

The walk from the parking area to this spot is short and mostly flat, so you don’t need to be in trail shape to get here.

Steps and platforms replaced the old root-and-rock scramble

The Forest Service rebuilt this trail with wooden steps, viewing platforms, and a bridge. The old path was steep and rough, with hikers picking their way over roots and loose rock to get a look.

Now the upper falls are reachable for people who wouldn’t call themselves hikers. Platforms are built right into the hillside at good angles.

Wet leaves and mossy logs still make things slippery, though, so wear sturdy shoes and watch your footing on the way down.

A side creek hides a second waterfall most people walk past

At the trail split near the parking area, take the left fork.

A short path crosses a bridge and leads to Little Brasstown Falls, a second waterfall on a side creek that drops over moss-covered granite ledges.

Most visitors head straight for the main falls and never see it. The bridge keeps your feet dry, and the whole detour adds maybe 10 minutes to your trip.

It’s one of the easiest waterfalls you’ll find anywhere in the county.

No cell bars, no water fountains, no safety net

Getting here means following Brasstown Road off Highway 76 near Long Creek. The last stretch turns to gravel and forest road before you reach the parking area.

Your phone won’t work at the trailhead or on the trail. There are no restrooms and no drinking water anywhere on site.

This is day-use only, so bring your own water, tell someone where you’re going, and plan to be self-sufficient from the moment you leave pavement behind.

Oconee County holds over 150 waterfalls in one stretch

The county claims more than 150 waterfalls, and many of them sit within a short drive of Brasstown Falls. Local tourism groups call this concentration the area’s biggest natural draw, and it’s easy to see why.

Some falls are visible from the road. Others take long backcountry hikes to reach.

The range runs from casual strolls to serious scrambles, and you could spend a full week here without running out of new water to find.

Twin Falls has a viewing deck with seating a quarter mile in

If you want easy wins, Twin Falls drops about 75 feet and sits at the end of a quarter-mile walk with a viewing deck and seating at the end. Yellow Branch Falls spreads wide across layered rock on a moderate trail.

Riley Moore Falls has a broad, sandy river bank where you can sit and listen to the water. All three give you a solid waterfall experience without punishing your legs.

Just confirm each trail is open and check the difficulty before you head out.

King Creek is short but Opossum Creek will test your legs

Some of the best falls out here earn their views. King Creek Falls sits at the end of a moderate 0.3-mile hike, so the effort stays reasonable.

Long Creek Falls takes a multi-mile trek on an unofficial path that isn’t always well marked. Opossum Creek Falls is a four-mile round trip with a steep return climb that will remind you gravity works both ways.

Know your limits before you go, because help is far away in these woods.

The Chattooga runs 57 miles along the state line

The Chattooga River flows nearby, a federally protected Wild and Scenic River that stretches about 57 miles along the South Carolina and Georgia border.

That designation keeps the river free-flowing and the surrounding land undeveloped. Cool, clear water cuts through old forest the entire way.

Rafters run the whitewater in season, and the whole corridor feels like it belongs in a different century. It’s the centerpiece of everything that happens outdoors in this part of the state.

Trout hold in the cold water and birds fill the canopy

The Chattooga holds rainbow, brown, and brook trout, and you’ll need a valid South Carolina fishing license to cast a line in the national forest.

Old-growth forest along the trails is full of birds and wildlife, and quiet early mornings give you the best shot at seeing something move through the trees.

The river draws rafters when the water runs high, but the banks stay calm enough for fishing and watching. Get out here before the day heats up.

Three states meet at a rock deep in the wilderness

Deep in the forest, the Ellicott Rock Wilderness marks the point where South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia converge.

A surveyor named Andrew Ellicott carved the border marker in the early 1800s, and the rock earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Reaching it takes a long hike through remote, protected land with no shortcuts. The people who make the trip come looking for solitude, and that’s exactly what they find.

Hit the trails at Brasstown Falls, South Carolina

You can reach Brasstown Falls off Brasstown Road near Long Creek in Oconee County, in western South Carolina. Right now, the upper Cascades and Little Brasstown Falls are open for visitors.

The lower trail remains closed after Hurricane Helene damage, so check the Forest Service website before you drive out. There are no restrooms, no drinking water, and no cell service on site.

Bring everything you need and plan for a day-use visit only.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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