Are you wondering where to find beautiful waterfalls without traveling too far from Greenville, SC? You’re in luck! We’ve gathered all the information you need to find waterfalls close to home, all in one handy place! Whether you want to take in a waterfall while enjoying a long hike or a waterfall that you can view with very little effort, local mom Kristina has all the details right here!
Waterfalls can be quite magical, and we have so, so many near us in the Upstate. Waterfalls are beautiful any time of year. They’re surrounded by wildflowers in the spring, framed by greenery in warm months, perfect for swimming in the summer, dazzling with fall colors in autumn, and showing off (some) frozen beauty in winter.
Please note: It’s is incredibly important for your own safety and for the safety of your family, EMTs, and rescuers, to never play at the top or sides of a waterfall, even for a second or to get an Insta-worthy photo. Those rocks are slippery, and many people have unfortunately lost their lives at waterfalls in our area.
For important tips on recreating responsibly, please see this story on the seven Leave No Trace principles.
Below are some of our favorite waterfalls near Upstate, SC. But, if you love waterfalls don’t this list of Waterfalls of the Southeast. It’s loaded with waterfall hikes in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.
For more awesome hikes, see our Guide to Hiking in and Near Upstate, SC.
Waterfalls in and near Greenville, SC
Reedy River Falls in Falls Park
You don’t have to go far to see the first waterfall on this list. Pack a picnic, relax on the nearby swings, or take a walk through Falls Park on the Reedy River in downtown Greenville to see the beautiful waterfall that runs right through our beautiful city.
South Main Street and Camperdown Way
Greenville, SC
Distance from Greenville: Zero minutes. It’s located downtown!
Raven Cliff Falls
Take the two-mile long Raven Cliff Falls trail to view the gorgeous 420-ft Raven Cliff Falls from an overlook at Caesar’s Head State Park. There are also a variety of hiking trails within the park and the surrounding Mountain Bridge Wilderness.
If you’re a more experienced hiker, take the Dismal Trail to get to the suspension bridge that goes over the falls. It’s a tough 8+ mile loop but worth it. Admission to the park is $3/adults, $1.50/SC seniors 65+, $1.00/children ages 6-15. Ages 5 and under are free. Please note: As of November 2025, Dismal Trail is still closed due to damage from Helene.
8155 Geer Hwy
Cleveland, SC. Trailhead and associated parking is about one mile past this address.
Distance from Greenville: ~hour
Jones Gap Falls and Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park
Known for its natural scenery, the 300-acre Jones Gap State Park is perfect for a relaxing day of exploration, and waterfall viewing of course. One of the more popular trails leads uphill to the stunning Rainbow Falls. It’s a strenuous trail, but there are other waterfalls along the main trail.
Jones Gap is a hugely popular park that now requires reserved parking ($5) on weekends in addition to the entrance fee. Admission is $6/adults, $3.75/SC seniors 65+, $3.50/children ages 6-15. Ages 5 and under are free.
303 Jones Gap Road
Marietta, SC
Distance from Greenville: ~an hour
Station Cove Falls
This waterfall in Oconee County near Hwy 11 is so stunning. It’s a big waterfall towering high with water dripping from hundreds of small ledges. It’s also a very easy hike at about 1.5 miles round trip.
State Rd S-37-95
Walhalla, SC
Distance from Greenville: an hour and 10 minutes
Ramsey Falls in Chau Ram County Park
The Oconee County Recreation and Tourism Department calls Chau Ram Park South Carolina’s “Best Kept Secret”. There is a 40-foot waterfall at Ramsey Creek, plus the county’s longest suspension bridge. You can also swim, hike, and camp. Day admission is $3/car.
1220 Chau Ram Park Road
Westminster, SC
Distance from Greenville: an hour + 5 minutes
Table Rock State Park
Table Rock contains lots of awesome waterfalls easily accessible from the many trails that wind through this beautiful park. Trails are not stroller-friendly, so be sure to either bring a baby carrier if you’ve got a little one or sturdy shoes for the younger kids. Admission is $6/adults, $3.75/SC seniors 65+, $3.50/children ages 6-15. Ages 5 and under are free.
158 Ellison Lane
Pickens, SC
Distance from Greenville: ~45 minutes
Yellow Branch Falls
Located in Walhalla near Isaqueena Falls, Yellow Branch Falls is amazing. The falls are huge and picturesque and just a beautiful place to visit. This is a popular waterfall and trail, so get there early if you want to experience it with less people.
2911-3023 Highlands Hwy
Walhalla, SC
Distance from Greenville: ~an hour + 10 minutes
Looking Glass Falls
This wildly popular waterfall is right on the side of the road off 276 in Pisgah Forest in Brevard, NC. We’ve seen it in every season, and our favorite has been over the winter when it’s been partially frozen. No hiking is involved, but you can take the stairs and ramps down to the bottom for some great photos.
Hwy 276, Brevard, NC
Distance from Greenville: ~an hour + 20 minutes
Wildcat Wayside
Enjoy a waterfall without any of the hiking. Wildcat Wayside is literally on the side of the road on SC 11 as you drive towards Table Rock from Greenville. It’s perfect for smaller kids to splash around in. If you do want to hike, there’s an easy mile-long loop trail. Be careful of slippery rocks and do not walk or play near the top of this waterfall or the bigger one upstream!
SC 11
Cleveland, SC If you’re heading North on Route 11, the trail and pull-off parking are on the right side of the road.
Distance from Greenville: ~38 minutes
Issaqueena Falls
Located in Oconee County’s Stumphouse Park, Issaqueena Falls has a interesting backstory.
Legend has it that the falls is named for an Indian maiden, Issaqueena, who warning the white settlers of an Indian attack, was then chased by Indians and she appeared to jump over the falls. By actually hiding behind the falls (or some legend-tellers say she hid behind a stump, hence Stumphouse Tunnel), she tricked her pursuers and survived.
The haunted waterfall even comes with a ghostly legend and is near Stumphouse Tunnel. Laborers began building this tunnel in 1852 to connect Charleston to Knoxville, but the project ended due to lack of money.
Be sure to read Kidding Around Greenville contributor Deidre Smith’s review of Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqeena Falls. Admission to the park is $5/vechile.
Hwy 28
Walhalla, SC
Distance from Greenville: an hour + 10 minutes
Wright Creek Falls
This is an extra-special waterfall since you can only get there by boat. It’s on Lake Jocassee, and you can access the lake through Devils Fork State Park. Admission is $8/adults, $5/SC seniors 65+, $4/children ages 6-15. Ages 5 and under are free. Here’s a map of the waterfalls at this stunning lake.
161 Holcombe Circle
Salem, SC
Distance from Greenville: Devils Fork Park is an hour + 20 minutes, plus another hour to 90 minutes of paddling. You may also take a boat with Jocassee Lake Tours.
Spoonauger Falls
This family-friendly hike is located near Mountain Rest, SC and is close to the Georgia border. The trail to the Spoonauger Falls is an easy 0.3-mile hike, so it’s perfect for families with small children. Once there, you can check out salamanders and small fish in the pools before marveling at the falls towering above!
Near Mountain Rest, SC
Ellicott Rock Wilderness
Distance from Greenville: 1 hour 55 minutes from Downtown Greenville.
Rainbow Falls at Gorges State Park
This is a different Rainbow Falls than the one at Jones Gap. You’ll have to travel to North Carolina’s Gorges State Park to see this beauty! If you’re lucky, you’ll get to the see the rainbow that gives the falls its name. The trail to the falls is a moderate 4-mile roundtrip hike. If you want to explore more, follow the trail past Rainbow Falls to see Turtleback Falls and Drift Falls.
There are no fees required to access Gorges State Park for day use.
Gorges State Park
976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire, NC
Distance from Greenville: 90 minutes
Little Bradley Falls
Several creek crossings and a moderate incline make the hike to Little Bradley Falls a bit challenging. Damage from Helene may require hikers to navigate over and under fallen trees. But the beauty of these falls, and the chance to cool off in the creeks, make this hike a great choice.
Holbert Cove Road, Saluda, NC
Distance from Greenville: 1 hour
Find More Waterfalls to Explore!
Our huge guide to waterfalls of the Southeast features hikes in the Georgia mountains, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. They make for a beautiful day trip or family getaway outing.
If you’re looking for even more waterfalls (because really, who isn’t?), then head over to our article on the North Carolina no-hike waterfall tour.
Did we miss your favorite waterfall? Share your best spot in the comments!
Wilcat wayside is so much fun and a great wading area for small children
Thank you! Thank you!
Love ❤️❤️
[…] Chill out at the foot of a local waterfall. […]
Cedar falls!! ❤️
Twin Falls
Water Falls Rd, Sunset, SC 29685
We have enjoyed your recommendations and wanted to say thank you! My husband and I moved here with our two teenagers a year and a half ago and never would’ve known about all of these places to visit. Since then, we have explored so much of the area and taken family around as well when they come to visit. We really appreciate you doing the legwork here! So many treasures to be found! I actually save many of the emails to refer back to time and again as I did with this one today.
Thank you so much!
It would be nice to know how far these waterfalls are from the city for those of us who don’t know the area. Thanks.
Great idea – we’ll add that information.
We took your advice today on
Raven Cliff Falls today, and I wish it was a little more clear as we took our 3 year old along. It’s 4 miles round trip to an overlook, not the suspension bridge. Still a beautiful overlook, and I love all of your ideas.
Many apologies! It was supposed to read “overlook”, not “suspension bridge”. You’re correct. The suspension bridge is part of the more difficult Dismal/Naturaland Trust trail at the same area. There is a great suspension bridge not too far from there on the Palmetto Trail if you park at the Dug Mountain anglers access lot. It’s only about .75 miles to the bridge on an easy trail.
You should always check All Tails to see distance and difficulty when hiking as well as the site itself. The fall recommendations were great. Thank you. Happy trails!