Pumpkintown sits at the crossroads of some of the most beautiful places in the South Carolina Upstate. Table Rock, Lake Jocassee, Caesars Head, Sassafras Mountain, and the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway are all within easy reach.

Whether you want a short waterfall walk, a challenging mountain hike, a family day by the lake, or simply a beautiful place to watch the sunset, you can begin your adventure here.

Most Popular Outdoor Guides

Not sure where to start? These are some of our most popular guides to exploring Pumpkintown, Table Rock, and the surrounding foothills.

Looking for a waterfall near Pumpkintown, Table Rock, Highway 11, Jones Gap, Lake Jocassee, or the surrounding South Carolina mountains? There are dozens of waterfalls scattered across the Upstate, but finding the right one is not always as simple as searching for the closest waterfall on a map.

Some waterfalls are practically beside the road, while others require several miles of mountain hiking. Some are great choices for families with young children, while others are destinations for experienced hikers who don’t mind working for the view. There are places where you can splash in a creek or cool off in the water, as well as enormous waterfalls that are better admired from a safe distance.

Even the names can be confusing. Several waterfalls in the Carolinas share the same or similar names, and local names do not always match what appears on a map. Searching for a waterfall by name alone can sometimes send you toward an entirely different place.

That is why we created this guide. Instead of giving you another giant list of waterfalls, we have organized them by the type of experience you are looking for. Whether you have young kids, want an easy roadside stop, are looking for somewhere to cool off, or do not mind hiking several miles for an incredible waterfall, you can start here.

Find Your Waterfall

If you want a waterfall with almost no hiking, start with Wildcat Wayside Falls, Issaqueena Falls, or Bridal Veil Falls. Families with children should look at Carrick Creek Falls, Wildcat Wayside, Station Cove Falls, and Twin Falls. If getting into the water is part of the plan, consider Long Shoals Recreation Area, Wildcat Wayside, Station Cove, King Creek, and Yellow Branch.

For something bigger and more dramatic, Rainbow Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, and the Whitewater Falls area offer a completely different experience. These are the places to consider when the waterfall itself is the destination, and you do not mind putting in more effort to reach it.

If you are already somewhere in the mountains, you can also skip ahead to the sections organized by location. We have grouped waterfalls around Table Rock, Caesars Head and Jones Gap, Walhalla and Mountain Rest, Lake Jocassee, and the nearby North Carolina mountains.

Waterfalls With Little or No Hiking

You do not have to hike several miles to see a beautiful waterfall. Several waterfalls in the Upstate and nearby mountains are within a short walk, making them good choices when you are short on time, traveling with younger children, or simply don’t want a strenuous hike.

Wildcat Wayside Falls

Wildcat Wayside Falls is one of the easiest waterfall stops along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. The lower waterfall is only a short walk from the roadside parking area along Highway 11 near Cleveland, making it an excellent choice for families and visitors looking for a quick waterfall stop.

Do not assume the lower waterfall is all there is to see. Trails continue into the woods to additional cascades, so visitors who want more adventure can keep exploring. Our complete Wildcat Wayside Falls guide has more information about the waterfalls, trail, and what to expect when you arrive.

Issaqueena Falls

Issaqueena Falls, located inside Stumphouse Park near Walhalla, is another good choice when you want to see an impressive waterfall without committing to a long hike. You can reach the main viewing area with a relatively short walk from the parking area.

It is also easy to combine Issaqueena Falls with a visit to Stumphouse Tunnel, making this a good destination when you want more than just a waterfall stop. Visitors should not confuse the normal route to the viewing area with the steep unofficial paths sometimes used to approach the bottom of the falls.

Bridal Veil Falls

If you are taking a scenic drive into the North Carolina mountains, Bridal Veil Falls near Highlands is one of the easiest waterfalls in the region to see. It is essentially a roadside waterfall, making it a particularly good option for visitors who want mountain scenery without a traditional hike.

Our Bridal Veil Falls guide has more information about visiting the waterfall and other things to see while exploring the Highlands area.

Best Waterfalls for Families and Kids

A waterfall does not have to be enormous to create a memorable family adventure. With younger hikers, a short trail, a creek to explore, and rocks to climb around can sometimes be more fun than hiking several miles to a massive waterfall.

Carrick Creek Falls

Carrick Creek Falls at Table Rock State Park is one of our favorite waterfall choices for families. The waterfall is located near the beginning of the Carrick Creek Trail, so you do not have to complete a long mountain hike just to reach it.

Families who want more adventure can continue along the trail as it follows Carrick Creek through the forest. The surrounding creek also makes this an especially enjoyable destination for children who like exploring rocks and shallow mountain water.

Our Carrick Creek Trail guide has more information about the hike. If you are trying to decide which trail at the park is right for your family, our Table Rock State Park Trail Guide is another useful place to start. You can also browse our Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails in Upstate South Carolina for more family hiking ideas.

Wildcat Wayside Falls

Wildcat Wayside Falls is another great option for younger children because the waterfall appears almost immediately after you leave the parking area. There is no need to convince a tired child that the waterfall is “just another mile” down the trail.

Families can enjoy the lower waterfall and creek area or continue farther into the woods if everyone is ready to explore more.

Station Cove Falls

Station Cove Falls near Oconee Station offers families a more traditional hiking experience without a strenuous mountain climb. The forest trail eventually reaches a broad, stepped waterfall that makes the walk worthwhile.

This is a good progression for children who have outgrown roadside waterfalls but are not ready for something like Rainbow Falls.

Twin Falls / Reedy Cove Falls

Twin Falls near Sunset is one of Pickens County’s classic waterfall destinations. A relatively short natural-surface trail leads to a view of two impressive cascades, making this another good option for families comfortable with a short hike.

The name is where things get confusing. Several waterfalls in the Carolinas are called Twin Falls, and this location may also be known as Reedy Cove Falls or Rock Falls. When looking for directions, make sure you are heading to the Twin Falls near Sunset in Pickens County, South Carolina, rather than relying on the name “Twin Falls” alone.

Waterfalls and Cascades Where You Can Cool Off

Not every waterfall is a swimming hole. Some have shallow pools where visitors wade, others have creeks where kids can splash, and a few have natural rock formations that have become popular places to cool off.

Water conditions can change considerably after rainfall, so evaluate conditions when you arrive rather than assuming the water will always look the way it does in photographs.

Long Shoals Recreation Area

Long Shoals Recreation Area is different from most of the waterfalls on this page. You are not coming here to stand beneath a towering waterfall. Instead, Little Eastatoe Creek flows across broad rock formations and creates cascades, pools, and natural sliding areas.

That makes Long Shoals one of the more unusual places to enjoy mountain water near Pumpkintown, particularly during the summer. Our Long Shoals Recreation Area guide has more information about visiting and what you will find there.

Wildcat Wayside Falls

Wildcat Wayside is another popular warm-weather option. The shallow water around the lower waterfall and creek gives families a place to cool off without first completing a long hike.

Carrick Creek

Carrick Creek is better thought of as a place for creek exploration and wading than as a traditional swimming hole. For kids who enjoy splashing through shallow mountain water, climbing around rocks, and seeing what they can find in a creek, that may actually be more fun.

Our Best Places for Kids to Swim, Splash and Cool Off in Upstate South Carolina guide includes Carrick Creek along with several other places where families can spend a hot day around the water.

Station Cove Falls

Station Cove combines an easy family hike with the chance to cool off in shallow water around the base of the waterfall. That makes it an appealing option when you want the outing to feel like a hike but still want some time around the water once you arrive.

King Creek Falls

King Creek Falls near Mountain Rest is another option for visitors who want to combine a waterfall hike with time around the water. A forest trail leads to the waterfall and the pool below it, giving families with older children and more experienced hikers a little more adventure than the roadside options.

Yellow Branch Falls

Yellow Branch Falls requires more effort to reach, but the broad waterfall at the end of the trail makes it a rewarding destination. The shallow water below the falls can also be a refreshing place to cool your feet after the hike.

Whenever you visit a waterfall with water access, remember that mountain streams can change quickly. A peaceful creek during dry weather can become fast and powerful after several days of rain. Wet rocks around waterfalls are also extremely slippery, particularly near the top of a cascade. Never climb onto the top of a waterfall or assume the water is safe simply because other visitors are swimming or wading.

Big and Dramatic Waterfalls Worth the Effort

Sometimes you are not looking for the easiest waterfall. You want the one that makes you stop when you finally see it.

These waterfalls require more effort, but they offer some of the most dramatic waterfall experiences in the region.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls at Jones Gap State Park is one of the most impressive waterfalls we have explored in Upstate South Carolina, but you have to work for the view.

The hike begins relatively gently along the Jones Gap Trail before turning uphill toward Rainbow Falls. From there, the route becomes considerably more challenging, with rocks, roots, stone steps, switchbacks, and substantial elevation gain. The round trip is approximately 5.4 miles, with roughly 1,600 feet of elevation gain.

Eventually, the forest opens beneath a massive rock face with Rainbow Falls pouring down it. This is not the waterfall we would recommend to someone simply looking for an easy afternoon walk. It is the waterfall we would recommend to someone who wants the hike to be part of the adventure.

Our complete Rainbow Falls hiking guide covers the trail, difficulty, parking, and what we found along the way.

Raven Cliff Falls

Raven Cliff Falls at Caesars Head State Park is one of the signature waterfalls of the South Carolina mountains. The enormous cascade drops hundreds of feet along the Blue Ridge Escarpment and is one of those waterfalls where the scale can be difficult to appreciate until you see it in person.

Visitors should understand that there is more than one way to experience Raven Cliff Falls. The standard Raven Cliff Falls Trail leads to a distant overlook across the gorge. A substantially longer route can take experienced hikers toward the suspension bridge near the falls.

Before you start, make sure you know which route you plan to hike.

Lower Whitewater Falls

Lower Whitewater Falls is part of the enormous Whitewater River waterfall system near the South Carolina-North Carolina line. It is another destination for visitors who do not mind hiking in exchange for a much larger waterfall experience.

This is also another place where names can cause confusion. Upper Whitewater Falls is in North Carolina and has a developed overlook, while Lower Whitewater Falls is in South Carolina and requires a more involved hike.

They are two different destinations. Double-check which waterfall you have selected before following your GPS.

Waterfalls for People Who Want a Real Hike

If getting to the waterfall is half the fun, several destinations are worth exploring beyond the easier roadside and family options.

Rainbow Falls is one of the obvious choices, with a significant climb through Jones Gap State Park before reaching the waterfall. Raven Cliff Falls offers several route options within the Mountain Bridge Wilderness, while Yellow Branch Falls provides a forest hike with creek crossings before reaching its broad cascade.

Lower Whitewater Falls provides a more involved waterfall outing in the Jocassee region, while Hidden Falls near Oconee State Park and Fall Creek Falls in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness give hikers opportunities to venture beyond some of the area’s better-known waterfalls.

These are the types of destinations where checking current trail conditions, park requirements, weather, and remaining daylight becomes especially important.

Find Waterfalls Near Where You Already Are

Sometimes you do not need to know which waterfall is the biggest or easiest. You simply want to know what is close to where you already are.

Near Table Rock and Pumpkintown

If you are visiting Table Rock or exploring the Pumpkintown area, Carrick Creek Falls is an obvious place to begin. Twin Falls near Sunset, Wildcat Wayside Falls, and Long Shoals are also within the broader Pickens County and Highway 11 waterfall corridor.

More adventurous hikers can look into Mill Creek Falls and waterfall features around the Pinnacle Mountain area. If you are exploring with children, our Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails in Upstate South Carolina guide includes several nearby possibilities.

Near Caesars Head and Jones Gap

The Mountain Bridge Wilderness contains one of the greatest concentrations of waterfalls in this part of South Carolina.

Many visitors recognize Rainbow Falls, Jones Gap Falls, and Raven Cliff Falls, but they are not the only waterfalls in the area. Cliff Falls, Firewater Falls, Drip Rock Falls, Rockcliff Falls, Silver Steps Falls, and Fall Creek Falls are among the other waterfalls found within the broader Mountain Bridge area.

Some require much more planning than roadside destinations such as Wildcat Wayside. A waterfall may look close on a map while still requiring miles of hiking to reach.

Near Walhalla and Mountain Rest

Oconee County opens up an entirely different waterfall playground. Issaqueena Falls, Yellow Branch Falls, Station Cove Falls, King Creek Falls, Spoonauger Falls, Hidden Falls, Brasstown Falls, Riley Moore Falls, Opossum Creek Falls, Pigpen and Licklog Falls, and Long Creek Falls are all worth putting on your list.

Several are close enough to other waterfalls and outdoor attractions that you can turn a trip toward Walhalla or Mountain Rest into an entire day of waterfall hunting rather than driving out to see only one.

This is also one of the areas where we still have plenty of exploring to do, so expect more individual waterfall guides as we visit them.

Around Lake Jocassee

Waterfall hunting around Lake Jocassee is a little different because the lake itself can be part of the adventure.

Laurel Fork Falls, Wright Creek Falls, Mill Creek Falls, and Lower Whitewater Falls are among the names to know when exploring the Jocassee area. Some waterfalls around the lake are best experienced from the water, and some lack the straightforward road access a map might suggest.

Toward Highlands and Cashiers, North Carolina

If you are willing to cross the state line, the Highlands and Cashiers area adds another large collection of waterfalls within day-trip range.

Bridal Veil Falls, Upper Whitewater Falls, Cashiers Sliding Rock Falls, Dry Falls, Silver Run Falls, and Glen Falls are among the destinations worth exploring.

Our Bridal Veil Falls guide covers one of the easiest stops in the Highlands area. You can also browse our Waterfalls collection for more waterfall trips we have already covered.

Waterfalls Change With the Weather

The waterfall you see in July may look completely different after several days of rain in March.

Recent rainfall can turn a relatively small cascade into something surprisingly impressive. At the same time, additional water can create faster currents, deeper creek crossings, muddy trails, slippery rocks, and more dangerous conditions around the top and bottom of waterfalls.

Extended dry weather can have the opposite effect, particularly at smaller waterfalls. Waterfall conditions are part of what makes exploring them interesting, but they are also a reason to use good judgment when you arrive. Never climb onto wet rock above a waterfall just to get a photograph.

New to Waterfall Hiking?

If you are new to mountain hiking, trail markings can be confusing. Those painted marks on trees are called trail blazes, and knowing how to read them makes unfamiliar trails much easier to navigate.

Our Trail Blazes 101 guide explains what those markings mean, how to follow a blazed trail, and what to do if you have not seen a trail marker in a while.

Families looking for easier adventures can also browse our Kid-Friendly Hiking Trails in Upstate South Carolina and Best Places for Kids to Swim, Splash and Cool Off in Upstate South Carolina guides.

You can also browse the PumpkintownSC Waterfalls collection as we continue adding individual waterfall guides.

More Waterfalls Are Coming

This isn’t a waterfall list we publish once and forget. It is a guide that we plan to keep building.

We still have waterfalls to explore throughout Pickens County, Greenville County, Oconee County, and the nearby North Carolina mountains. They are on our list.

As we visit them, we will photograph the waterfalls, hike the trails, document where to park, and add detailed guides to PumpkintownSC. Once we have personally explored a waterfall, you will find a link from this page to our complete guide with photos, trail experience, and what we learned along the way.

Until then, this page can help you find somewhere new to explore.

If you want something easy, Wildcat Wayside or Issaqueena Falls are good places to start. Families with younger children can look toward Carrick Creek, Wildcat Wayside, or Station Cove. If cooling off is part of the plan, Long Shoals and several waterfalls around Oconee County offer opportunities to spend time around the water.

If you want something bigger and more dramatic, Rainbow Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, and the Whitewater Falls area offer an entirely different kind of adventure.

And if you have driven past the same waterfall sign a dozen times without stopping, maybe today’s the day to turn around and see what is there.