One of the most popular things to do in Oconee County is to take a hike to one of the many beautiful waterfalls near Walhalla, SC.
Waterfall hikes in this area range from easy to difficult and one you can even drive right up to! Wonderful for anyone with accessibility issues.
When trying to choose which hike to go on, it may be a good idea to stop in the Visitor Center to ask which trail is best for your group. Hiking traffic has really picked up over the last couple of years so we have to think about visiting these waterfalls sustainably.
This means spreading out the trail traffic so not everyone goes to the same one. There are plenty of gorgeous waterfalls to choose from.
Here are ten that I was able to see on my recent trip to Oconee County.
Disclaimer: I was hosted by Visit Oconee County during my trip. As always, all opinions are my own. This article may contain affiliate links that I earn a small commission from at no additional cost to you.
10 Waterfalls Near Walhalla, SC
Brasstown Falls
Brasstown was one of my absolute favorite hikes because it was pretty easy – some people may consider it moderate – and you can see three incredible waterfalls on the trail.
The trail is also pretty short at only 1.5-miles round trip. You definitely don’t have to walk far to see the first waterfall!
They’ve recently made some trail improvements so there are nice stairs and a ladder to climb. All three waterfalls are stunning and well worth the hike.
Make sure that you have good directions for getting to Brasstown before you leave because cell service is spotty in the area and there isn’t much road signage to get you there.
After you’re done, stop by The Gauge Coffee House for a snack – it was one of my favorite restaurants near Walhalla.
Ramsey Creek Falls
If anyone in your group has mobility issues or if you have younger kids then this is the perfect waterfall for you! You can drive right up in Chau Ram County Park.
There is a small fee to enter the park but there are nice picnic facilities overlooking Ramsey Creek Falls. Park near the entrance, below the Park Office to access the large picnic area.
You can also drive down to the bottom of the falls and there are some large boulders to sit on. If you want to take a short walk then use the nearby trailhead to walk over to the river and swinging bridge.
This is by far the most accessible waterfall near Walhalla, SC.
Yellow Branch Falls
Yellow Branch gets very busy on the weekends and is definitely one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Oconee County.
I have to say, I can see why though! The trail is beautiful and takes you through varied forest scenery. Then the waterfall itself is gorgeous as water cascades down multiple thin rock shelves.
Try to visit on a weekday but if you can’t then go early in the morning on weekends to beat the crowds. The hike is around 3 miles and considered moderate.
There are a couple of creek crossings on the trail that would be tricky after heavy rain so keep that in mind. Make sure to bring plenty of hiking snacks and water.
When we made the hike out here there was a couple who brought a picnic to the base of the falls. It was super cute!
Station Cove Falls
It felt like I was in the middle of a fairytale when I got to Station Cove Falls. Probably one of my favorite waterfalls near Walhalla, SC.
I’m not sure if it was because of the time of day where the woods were shady except for the occasional sun beam shining through the branches or the fact that I was the only one there.
Whatever it was, this place felt magical. It was an easy hike and only 1-mile total. The trail is out and back, like most around here.
The parking area is very small so have a backup plan if you’re going on a weekend in the middle of the day.
This would be another great one to carry in a picnic and enjoy the base of the falls for a while. There is plenty of room with great views of the falls.
Riley Moore Falls
This is the only hike on the list that I wasn’t personally able to do. I tried to fit it in but there just wasn’t enough time.
While it’s one of the shorter waterfalls in the area, coming in at only 12 feet, it’s still impressive and a great option for a workout.
The trail is about 2 miles total out-and-back and rated moderate. People also love to swim here at the base of the falls and there is a nice beach area to enjoy.
Reedy Branch Falls
Here’s another short, easy hike that leads to a tall waterfall. The one thing you have to be aware of here is that the parking lot is small and can be difficult to maneuver when crowded – especially in a large vehicle.
It’s a beautiful walk through the woods though and very short! There aren’t many places at the bottom to sit and hang out so this is one that you would hike to and then head back out.
Great for anyone who can’t hike long distances but still wants to see an impressive waterfall near Walhalla, SC.
Bull Sluice
This one may be even easier than Reedy Branch because the majority of the trail is paved/gravel. What makes this one special is that it’s a Class IV rapid along the Chattooga River.
So you can take the short trail down to this waterfall and hang out to watch the rafts and kayaks make their way through the rapid.
The trail is 0.5-miles according to AllTrails and it doesn’t take long at all. There are restrooms here and a huge parking lot because it’s also a put-in/take-out spot for people on the river.
Issaqueena Falls
A trip to Issaqueena Falls is typically paired with Stumphouse Tunnel as they are both located in Stumphouse Park and both pretty impressive. There is a small entrance fee for the park.
Stumphouse Tunnel is a massive tunnel that was supposed to be used for the railroad but it was never finished. Bring a flashlight for this one!
It’s an easy 5-minute walk to the viewing platform for Issaqueena Falls. You can enjoy the view from here or make your way down to the base of the falls.
The trail down to the base is very steep and difficult so take that into consideration when determining if you should go past the viewing platform or not.
Hiking boots will come in handy if you go down to the base of the falls – these make a great gift for outdoorsy women.
Laurel Fork Falls
You can actually visit this waterfall by boat or on a hike which is pretty unique. The base of the falls flows into the gorgeous Lake Jocassee.
It’s truly impressive from any direction you see it though. There are two different routes you can take to hike here – the easier one is approximately 2.6-miles along the Appalachian Trail and rated moderate.
Parking for this waterfall is at the Dennis Cove AT Trailhead where you’ll follow the trail north and then make your way back the same way after the falls.
You can also see this on a tour with Jocassee Lake Tours which is how we did it. That morning we picked up breakfast sandwiches from Strickland’s – one of the best restaurants in Seneca – and had a picnic breakfast on the way to the falls.
Wright Creek Falls
This one is only accessible by boat so very special if you ask me. If you don’t have your own boat or aren’t familiar with the area, don’t worry. There are a couple of ways to reach the falls.
Jocassee Lake Tours makes a stop at Wright Creek Falls and I highly recommend doing the lake tour. You’ll get to see this one plus many others and learn all about the area.
They offer tours on pontoon boats so you relax while getting to take in all the sights. They also have kayaking adventure tours offered on select days.
On the kayaking tours, you’ll be pulled by a pontoon boat in your kayak for a portion of the trip. This is a great way to get in some exercise and experience the lake in a unique way.
Wrap Up: Waterfalls Near Walhalla
This doesn’t even scratch the surface of Oconee County waterfalls but at least it gives you a good starting point!
Again, I highly recommend checking in at the Visitor Center and seeing which trails they would recommend during your trip. They’ll have the best and most up-to-date info.
Depending on what season you visit, make sure you know what to wear hiking during the winter and what to wear hiking in summer weather.
If you’re visiting in the summer then bring a packable travel towel (a great stocking stuffer for hikers) so you can go swimming and easily dry off.
Have fun exploring the waterfalls near Walhalla and if you find one that you think shouldn’t be missed then let me know in the comments!
