South Carolina is a hiker’s delight. From the mountains of the upstate to the lowlands of the coast and coastal islands, The Palmetto State is rife with hiking trails for every experience level — even beginners. Today we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite South Carolina hikes under 5 miles that everyone can enjoy! Happy hiking!
- Rainbow Falls Trail at Jones Gap State Park - Marietta, SC
Flickr/Scott Oves
Flickr/Nina Helmer The trail up to Rainbow Falls is 3.9 miles and considered difficult. But the payoff is spectacular all along the way.
- Raven Cliff Falls - Cleveland, SC
Flickr/Brenda Wiley
Flickr/Jason A G The trail out to Raven Cliff Falls from Ceasars Head State Park is 3.7 miles out and back. You won’t bump into too many people… especially on this suspension bridge over Matthews Creek at the top of Raven Cliff Falls.
- Yellow Branch Falls in Oconee State Park - Walhalla, SC
Flickr/Brenda Wiley This 3.5 mile, out-and-back trail will get you a prime spot at the foot of Yellow Branch Falls, one of the most magnificent waterfalls in South Carolina.
- Rocky Creek Trail - Great Falls, SC
Flickr/John Wenzelburger Follo
This hike is 4.9 miles out and back, and offers some truly remarkable sights along the way, including several waterfalls. The Cedar Creek Reservoir is the final destination, and a perfect finale to this beautiful trek.
- Landsford Canal in Landsford Canal State Park - Catawba, SC
Flickr/Geekly Things
Flickr/David Wilkie This easy trail is an even three miles out and back. At the right time of year (May) the payoff is extraordinary: you’ll be among the first to behold the beautiful blooms of the largest grouping of Rocky Shoal Spider Lillies in the country.
- Bear Cove Trail in Devils Fork State Park - Salem, SC
Flickr/troop701
Flickr/Let Ideas Compete Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, this trail is now closed. You can find another scenic trail within the park on this website. This 2.5-mile loop dishes out great views of Lake Jocassee and surrounding mountains, and is perhaps the most picture-perfect of our South Carolina hikes under 5 miles.
How many of these South Carolina hikes under five miles have you already traveled? Do you have other favorite short hikes in South Carolina that you’d like to share? Leave a comment in the section below!
Flickr/Scott Oves
Flickr/Nina Helmer
The trail up to Rainbow Falls is 3.9 miles and considered difficult. But the payoff is spectacular all along the way.
Flickr/Brenda Wiley
Flickr/Jason A G
The trail out to Raven Cliff Falls from Ceasars Head State Park is 3.7 miles out and back. You won’t bump into too many people… especially on this suspension bridge over Matthews Creek at the top of Raven Cliff Falls.
This 3.5 mile, out-and-back trail will get you a prime spot at the foot of Yellow Branch Falls, one of the most magnificent waterfalls in South Carolina.
Flickr/John Wenzelburger Follo
This hike is 4.9 miles out and back, and offers some truly remarkable sights along the way, including several waterfalls. The Cedar Creek Reservoir is the final destination, and a perfect finale to this beautiful trek.
Flickr/Geekly Things
Flickr/David Wilkie
This easy trail is an even three miles out and back. At the right time of year (May) the payoff is extraordinary: you’ll be among the first to behold the beautiful blooms of the largest grouping of Rocky Shoal Spider Lillies in the country.
Flickr/troop701
Flickr/Let Ideas Compete
Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, this trail is now closed. You can find another scenic trail within the park on this website. This 2.5-mile loop dishes out great views of Lake Jocassee and surrounding mountains, and is perhaps the most picture-perfect of our South Carolina hikes under 5 miles.
And for more staggeringly beautiful hikes in The Palmetto State, be sure to check out these 15 gorgeous treks.
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Address: Devils Fork State Park, 161 Holcombe Cir, Salem, SC 29676, USAAddress: Landsford Canal State Park, 2051 Park Dr, Catawba, SC 29704, USAAddress: 1030 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055, USAAddress: Yellow Branch Falls, 2907-, 3023 Hwy 28 S, Walhalla, SC 29691, USAAddress: Raven Cliff Falls Trail, South Carolina 29635, USAAddress: Jones Gap State Park, 303 Jones Gap Rd, Marietta, SC 29661, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
South Carolina Hikes Under 5 Miles April 01, 2021 Sarah What are some of the most scenic South Carolina hikes? Yellow Branch Falls Trail is a great trail and what a beautiful sight for everyone to see at the end too. It’s just 3 miles round trip, so it’s very easy for for the whole family. Caesar’s Head Hike is another stunner; it’s a 4-5 hour hike in which you will get to see two of our wonderful waterfalls, a cave, and amazing wildflowers. Another hike in Cleveland, Carrick Creek Loop, is an accessible 1.8 trail that’s dog friendly, too, and leads to a particularly stunning waterfall. What are the best family-friendly hikes in South Carolina? You don’t have to be an experienced outdoor enthusiast to enjoy the beauty of The Palmetto States. In fact, there are many South Carolina hikes that are short on miles, bur still big on beauty. Sullivans Island Nature Trail is a quick 0.6-mile long but the tranquil nature it takes you through will make it feel relaxed. The end destination of the trail is the beach – the perfect incentive for kids! The Wildcat Wayside trail near Cleveland, South Carolina is just one mile long, and you’ll be treated with views of three waterfalls along the way. Another mile-long hike, the British Camp Loop at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site leads past historic ruins and an old homestead along the way. If you’re looking for more beginner-level trails in South Carolina, be sure to check out these seven treks. What are the best state parks to visit in South Carolina? Some of the best hikes in The Palmetto State can actually be found at our state parks. Besides the South Carolina hikes under five miles featured above, you can also check out spots like Hunting Island State Park. It’s the most visited state park in SC and for good reason. People love to explore the lighthouse and see the wildlife there. Experience state history at Kings Mountain State Park near Blacksburg, South Carolina. The park includes an old barn, carpenter, blacksmith, and cotton gin, allowing you to experience the “living history” of the place. For more breathtaking state parks in South Carolina, be sure to check out these gems.
The OIYS Visitor Center
South Carolina Hikes Under 5 Miles
April 01, 2021
Sarah
What are some of the most scenic South Carolina hikes? Yellow Branch Falls Trail is a great trail and what a beautiful sight for everyone to see at the end too. It’s just 3 miles round trip, so it’s very easy for for the whole family. Caesar’s Head Hike is another stunner; it’s a 4-5 hour hike in which you will get to see two of our wonderful waterfalls, a cave, and amazing wildflowers. Another hike in Cleveland, Carrick Creek Loop, is an accessible 1.8 trail that’s dog friendly, too, and leads to a particularly stunning waterfall. What are the best family-friendly hikes in South Carolina? You don’t have to be an experienced outdoor enthusiast to enjoy the beauty of The Palmetto States. In fact, there are many South Carolina hikes that are short on miles, bur still big on beauty. Sullivans Island Nature Trail is a quick 0.6-mile long but the tranquil nature it takes you through will make it feel relaxed. The end destination of the trail is the beach – the perfect incentive for kids! The Wildcat Wayside trail near Cleveland, South Carolina is just one mile long, and you’ll be treated with views of three waterfalls along the way. Another mile-long hike, the British Camp Loop at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site leads past historic ruins and an old homestead along the way. If you’re looking for more beginner-level trails in South Carolina, be sure to check out these seven treks. What are the best state parks to visit in South Carolina? Some of the best hikes in The Palmetto State can actually be found at our state parks. Besides the South Carolina hikes under five miles featured above, you can also check out spots like Hunting Island State Park. It’s the most visited state park in SC and for good reason. People love to explore the lighthouse and see the wildlife there. Experience state history at Kings Mountain State Park near Blacksburg, South Carolina. The park includes an old barn, carpenter, blacksmith, and cotton gin, allowing you to experience the “living history” of the place. For more breathtaking state parks in South Carolina, be sure to check out these gems.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Yellow Branch Falls Trail is a great trail and what a beautiful sight for everyone to see at the end too. It’s just 3 miles round trip, so it’s very easy for for the whole family. Caesar’s Head Hike is another stunner; it’s a 4-5 hour hike in which you will get to see two of our wonderful waterfalls, a cave, and amazing wildflowers. Another hike in Cleveland, Carrick Creek Loop, is an accessible 1.8 trail that’s dog friendly, too, and leads to a particularly stunning waterfall.
What are the best family-friendly hikes in South Carolina?
You don’t have to be an experienced outdoor enthusiast to enjoy the beauty of The Palmetto States. In fact, there are many South Carolina hikes that are short on miles, bur still big on beauty. Sullivans Island Nature Trail is a quick 0.6-mile long but the tranquil nature it takes you through will make it feel relaxed. The end destination of the trail is the beach – the perfect incentive for kids! The Wildcat Wayside trail near Cleveland, South Carolina is just one mile long, and you’ll be treated with views of three waterfalls along the way. Another mile-long hike, the British Camp Loop at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site leads past historic ruins and an old homestead along the way. If you’re looking for more beginner-level trails in South Carolina, be sure to check out these seven treks.
What are the best state parks to visit in South Carolina?
Some of the best hikes in The Palmetto State can actually be found at our state parks. Besides the South Carolina hikes under five miles featured above, you can also check out spots like Hunting Island State Park. It’s the most visited state park in SC and for good reason. People love to explore the lighthouse and see the wildlife there. Experience state history at Kings Mountain State Park near Blacksburg, South Carolina. The park includes an old barn, carpenter, blacksmith, and cotton gin, allowing you to experience the “living history” of the place. For more breathtaking state parks in South Carolina, be sure to check out these gems.
