Waterfalls and swimming holes are the crown jewels of summer in South Carolina. And anytime you can put the two together to visit a waterfall swimming hole? Well, let’s just say the combo takes the cake. You’re sure to create an epic summer adventure when you visit any of the following waterfalls in South Carolina. They’re not all swimming holes, but many are. Take a look (and don’t forget to bring sunscreen and a towel!).
- Carrick Creek Falls - Cleveland
TripAdvisor/bobbilo At 15 feet tall, Carrick Creek Falls isn’t the tallest waterfall in South Carolina, but it’s one of the most scenic falls found on the Carrick Creek Loop Trail at Table Rock State Park. The trail itself is 1.9 miles long, but Carrick Creek Falls is found near the beginning. Find this waterfall at 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671. (Note: This park charges an admission.)
- Wildcat Branch Falls - Cleveland
Google Maps/Danny Goode
TripAdvisor/Lea Austin Found alongside the road on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway (SC-11), Wildcat Branch Falls’ lower waterfall is visible from the car. But this roadside park has a small pullout along the road where you can get out and explore the three waterfalls found in this wayside park. During warm weather, the lower falls often has swimmers dipping their toes in the plunge pool. Find it at 5500 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635.
- Issaqueena Falls - Walhalla
Flickr/Brendan Bombaci Issaqueena Falls is surrounded by mystery and legend and is so worth a visit. At 100 feet tall, it sends ribbons of water billowing down its many ledges. An easy .03-mile trail from Tunnel Park in Walhalla leads to the top of the waterfall. Find it on Stumphouse Tunnel Rd, Walhalla, SC 29691.
- Falls Park on the Reedy - Greenville
Thom_Morris / iStock / Getty Images Plus With just one visit to Reedy Falls at Falls Park on the Reedy, you’ll fall in love with this expansive and beautiful urban waterfall that is now the focal point in an enormous green space at the foot of Main Street in Greenville. A beautiful one-of-a-kind curved pedestrian bridge passes over the foot of the waterfall giving visitors a bird’s eye view of the action. See it for yourself at 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601.
- Spoonauger Falls - Mountain Rest
Google Maps/Mistah Vega In 20 minutes of hiking, or less, you can hike to the base of this 50-foot waterfall where water spills over a rock ledge and then down stepped ledges to the base. The trail traverses the Sumter National Forest for one-half mile to the waterfall. Find the trailhead on Burrells Ford Road in Mountain Rest, SC 29664.
- Chau Ram Falls - Westminster
TripAdvisor/Shane G
TripAdvisor/Torie M Head to Chau Ram County Park and you can drive right up to Chau Ram Falls, which is a favorite local swimming hole found within this awesome county park. Take the one-mile Chau Ram Trail that follows along the Chauga River, offering various places to take a dip. Find it at 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693.
Venturing out in search of waterfalls in South Carolina doesn’t always mean hiking long distances in hot and humid conditions. The waterfalls featured here are all easy-access with minimal work to reach them. What’s your favorite easy-to-get-to waterfall in South Carolina?
TripAdvisor/bobbilo
At 15 feet tall, Carrick Creek Falls isn’t the tallest waterfall in South Carolina, but it’s one of the most scenic falls found on the Carrick Creek Loop Trail at Table Rock State Park. The trail itself is 1.9 miles long, but Carrick Creek Falls is found near the beginning. Find this waterfall at 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671. (Note: This park charges an admission.)
Google Maps/Danny Goode
TripAdvisor/Lea Austin
Found alongside the road on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway (SC-11), Wildcat Branch Falls’ lower waterfall is visible from the car. But this roadside park has a small pullout along the road where you can get out and explore the three waterfalls found in this wayside park. During warm weather, the lower falls often has swimmers dipping their toes in the plunge pool. Find it at 5500 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635.
Flickr/Brendan Bombaci
Issaqueena Falls is surrounded by mystery and legend and is so worth a visit. At 100 feet tall, it sends ribbons of water billowing down its many ledges. An easy .03-mile trail from Tunnel Park in Walhalla leads to the top of the waterfall. Find it on Stumphouse Tunnel Rd, Walhalla, SC 29691.
Thom_Morris / iStock / Getty Images Plus
With just one visit to Reedy Falls at Falls Park on the Reedy, you’ll fall in love with this expansive and beautiful urban waterfall that is now the focal point in an enormous green space at the foot of Main Street in Greenville. A beautiful one-of-a-kind curved pedestrian bridge passes over the foot of the waterfall giving visitors a bird’s eye view of the action. See it for yourself at 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601.
Google Maps/Mistah Vega
In 20 minutes of hiking, or less, you can hike to the base of this 50-foot waterfall where water spills over a rock ledge and then down stepped ledges to the base. The trail traverses the Sumter National Forest for one-half mile to the waterfall. Find the trailhead on Burrells Ford Road in Mountain Rest, SC 29664.
TripAdvisor/Shane G
TripAdvisor/Torie M
Head to Chau Ram County Park and you can drive right up to Chau Ram Falls, which is a favorite local swimming hole found within this awesome county park. Take the one-mile Chau Ram Trail that follows along the Chauga River, offering various places to take a dip. Find it at 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693.
For one more can’t-miss waterfall in South Carolina, check out the natural water slide at this roadside park.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Table Rock State Park, 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671, USAAddress: Wildcat Branch Falls, 5500 Geer Hwy, Cleveland, SC 29635, USAAddress: Issaqueena Falls, South Carolina 29691, USAAddress: Falls Park on the Reedy, 601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, USAAddress: Burrells Ford Rd, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, USAAddress: Chau Ram County Park, 1220 Chau Ram Park Rd, Westminster, SC 29693, USA
