When people think about hiking in Pickens County, they usually picture Table Rock, Pinnacle Mountain, and maybe Raven Cliff Falls just across the county line. But those famous trails only scratch the surface of what makes this corner of South Carolina special.
Pickens County contains some of the wildest land in the Southeast. From the rugged wilderness of the Jocassee Gorges to hidden waterfalls tucked into remote mountain hollows, there are hundreds of miles of trails ranging from easy family walks to challenging backcountry adventures. The county is also home to South Carolina’s highest mountain, Sassafras Mountain, and serves as the eastern gateway to the 76-mile Foothills Trail.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for a short waterfall hike or an experienced hiker searching for a trail few people know about, these 25 destinations deserve a place on your Upstate bucket list.
Easy & Family-Friendly Hikes
1. Carrick Creek Trail
Perhaps the best family hike in the Upstate. The loop features bridges, cascades, mountain streams, wildflowers, and Carrick Creek Falls. At just under two miles, it’s perfect for introducing kids to hiking.
2. Pinnacle Lake Loop
A peaceful walk around one of the most scenic lakes in the state park system. Early mornings often bring reflections of Pinnacle Mountain on the water.
3. Wildcat Branch Falls
A short walk leads to a beautiful roadside waterfall that many visitors drive right past on their way to Table Rock.
4. Twin Falls
One of Pickens County’s most photographed waterfalls. The trail is relatively easy and rewards hikers with a spectacular double cascade.
5. Station Cove Falls
Located near Oconee Station, this short waterfall hike is ideal for families and beginner hikers.
6. Natural Bridge Trail
Often overshadowed by Raven Rock, this short trail in Keowee-Toxaway State Park leads to a rare natural rock bridge formation.
7. Todd Creek Falls
A hidden gem known mostly by locals and waterfall enthusiasts.
8. Mill Creek Falls
Many visitors to Table Rock State Park never realize another beautiful waterfall lies hidden within the park’s trail network.
Moderate Hikes With Big Rewards
9. Raven Rock Trail
One of the most underrated views in South Carolina. The overlook provides sweeping views of Lake Keowee and the foothills beyond. The trail is approximately three miles round trip.
10. Nine Times Preserve
This preserve offers roughly five miles of trails through hardwood forests, mountain streams, and one of the richest wildflower habitats in the Southern Blue Ridge. More than 130 native wildflower species have been documented here.
11. Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve
A fascinating area featuring rare plants, deep ravines, and access to the famous Eastatoe Narrows.
12. Jumping Off Rock Trail
Most people visit the overlook, but the surrounding trails provide incredible views into the Jocassee Gorges.
13. Laurel Valley Trail
One of the prettiest streamside hikes in the Upstate, especially during spring wildflower season.
14. Sassafras Mountain Connector Trails
Most visitors simply walk to the observation tower. The surrounding trail network offers a much deeper mountain experience.
15. Roundtop Mountain Passage
A rugged route that takes hikers deep into the Jocassee Gorges wilderness.
16. Bad Creek Area Trails
Steep climbs, waterfalls, and some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the region.
Challenging Summit Hikes
17. Table Rock Summit Trail
The classic Upstate challenge. This steep climb gains approximately 2,000 feet and rewards hikers with panoramic views stretching across the Piedmont.
18. Pinnacle Mountain
The tallest mountain entirely within South Carolina. The summit may not offer dramatic views, but reaching it remains a rite of passage for Upstate hikers.
19. Stool Mountain
One of the least-traveled summit hikes in Table Rock State Park. Many experienced hikers consider it one of the park’s hidden treasures.
20. Bald Knob Overlook
A shorter alternative to Table Rock’s summit with incredible views and fewer crowds.
21. Sassafras Mountain via Foothills Trail
A strenuous but rewarding route to South Carolina’s highest point.
Remote Waterfalls & Wilderness Adventures
22. Laurel Fork Falls
One of the crown jewels of the Jocassee Gorges. The waterfall drops approximately 80 feet before spilling into Lake Jocassee. The hike follows part of the Foothills Trail through one of the most scenic valleys in South Carolina.
23. Virginia Hawkins Falls
A secluded waterfall hidden within the Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve. Many lifelong residents have never heard of it.
24. Eastatoe Narrows
A rugged adventure into a narrow mountain gorge featuring unusual rock formations and rare plant communities.
25. Foothills Trail Through Pickens County
Rather than a single hike, consider exploring sections of the Foothills Trail itself. The trail stretches 76 miles through some of the most spectacular scenery in South Carolina and North Carolina, with several of its most beautiful sections passing through Pickens County and the Jocassee Gorges.
The Real Magic of Pickens County
What makes Pickens County special isn’t just its famous destinations. It’s the sheer variety. In a single weekend, you can hike to South Carolina’s highest mountain, explore a remote waterfall pouring into Lake Jocassee, wander through wildflower-filled forests, and stand on overlooks that stretch for miles across the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Jocassee Gorges alone contains more than 50,000 acres of protected mountain wilderness and has been recognized by National Geographic as one of the world’s great natural places.
The next time you’re planning a hike, consider skipping the crowded trailheads and trying one of these lesser-known adventures. You may discover that the trails you’ve never heard of become the ones you never forget.
Which of these hikes is your favorite, and which hidden gem did we miss? Let us know in the comments so we can keep adding to the ultimate Pickens County hiking guide.
