Waterfalls of the Southeast: Waterfall Hikes for Families

Remember, waterfalls can be dangerous with slippery rocks and drop-offs. Obey all signage and always use caution.

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Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Hiking in the Upstate.

South Carolina Waterfall Hikes: Waterfalls in SC

Here’s our list of waterfalls and waterfall hikes in South Carolina. These are gorgeous spots that our families love to visit again and again. Pack a picnic, and throw in a beach towel. You’re not going to want to miss any of these!

Waterfalls at Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve

Sunset, SC

The beautiful Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve is worth the drive, even if you never intend on getting out of the car, although I encourage you to. There are several hiking trails and roadside waterfalls. Depending on recent rainfall, one might be sufficient to splash around in. The over 1,300-acre preserve is an easy place to get away from everything.

Beech Bottom Falls

F Van Clayton Memorial Hwy
Sunset, SC

Beech Bottom Falls isn’t far from Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve and on the way to Sassafras Mountain. Please note: The trail to Beech Bottom Falls has been rerouted to the south side of Abner Creek due to damage from Helene.

Twin Falls

Water Falls Rd
Sunset, SC

This is an easy hike that is only a ¼ of a mile. There are places to splash in the water, but please use caution. While these falls are beautiful, they’re also dangerous. Never, ever sit or stand on top of a waterfall. 

Spoonauger Falls

Burrells Ford Rd
Mountain Rest, SC

A short trail from Burrells Ford Road in the Ellicott Rock Wilderness leads to Spoonauger Falls, a 50-foot waterfall. At just 0.3 miles to the base of the waterfall, it’s a perfect excursion for a family with small children.

King Creek Falls

Sumter National Forest
Long Creek, SC

You can reach King Creek Falls from the Burrells Ford campground, via the parking area on Burrells Ford Road, or while through-hiking the Foothills Trail. If you’re staying in the campground, the hike can be as short as a one-mile round-trip. If you’re coming in from the parking area, the hike is closer to 1.5-2 miles, depending on which trail you take. But since the trail climbs steadily up towards the waterfall, even that ½ mile can be hard for shorter legs when it’s a hot summer day. That’s why the pool at the base of King Creek Falls is a perfect reward.

Rainbow Falls – Jones Gap State Park

303 Jones Gap Road
Marietta, SC

The trail to Rainbow Falls is around 2.5 miles one-way, mostly up in a staircase manner. Plan to spend plenty of time wading at the base of the falls. And bring a picnic. The hike may take 4-5 hours depending on the ages and abilities of your kids, plus picnicking time.

While this is a strenuous hike, there are no major dangers on the trail itself (other than the falls, of course). It is simply sweat-inducing, but the falls are worth it!

Jones Gap Falls – Jones Gap State Park

303 Jones Gap Road
Marietta, SC

Jones Gap Falls is a round-trip 2.6-mile hike along a river that ends at a fan waterfall splashing over a 50-foot drop and spilling over a staircase of granite ledges. Pack a picnic and plan to spend a few hours on this lovely trail with your kiddos. The trail is so beautiful that it’s still worth doing, even if your kids don’t make it to the falls.

Issaqueena Falls

Walhalla, SC

Issaqueena Falls is a short hike from Stumphouse Tunnel, through a covered bridge to an observation deck.

There is a path that continues past the observation deck, but parents should be aware that it’s not a maintained trail and could be dangerous. There have been several deaths and many accidents at this waterfall, so be careful and be aware of your surroundings, even on the marked trails.

Horseshoe Falls – Musgrove Mill State Historic Site

Horseshoe Falls Rd
Enoree, SC

Horseshoe Falls is at the beginning of the Battlefield Trail at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site. It is a very short walk from the parking lot and is accessible by wheelchair.

Battlefield trail hikers will continue past the falls, where the trail is no longer paved. The battlefield trail is a 1.3-mile loop with frequent signage that describes the backcountry’s role in the Revolutionary War.

Blue Wall Preserve

Landrum, SC

The Nature Conservancy owns the 575-acre Blue Wall Preserve with stunning views of the Blue Ridge mountains. The trails are well-defined, and at the back end of the 3.4-mile loop is a waterfall reward.

Raven Cliff Falls – Caesars Head State Park

8155 Geer Hwy
Cleveland, SC

Getting to the Raven Cliff Falls suspension bridge at Caesars Head State Park involves a long and arduous trek along a few different trails. But if you have kids with you and prefer something more manageable, you can still see the falls from afar. Start at the Raven Cliff Falls parking lot and take the Raven Cliff Falls trail about two miles to an overlook. You can’t hike to the bottom of Raven Cliff Falls.

Carrick Creek Falls – Table Rock State Park

158 Ellison Lane
Pickens, SC

The Carrick Creek Trail at Table Rock State Park begins at the Nature Center. It starts out paved and immediately opens up to the beautiful Carrick Creek Falls. Here, your kiddos can wade around in a cool, shallow lagoon fed by a cascading waterfall.

Beyond that, the pavement ends and the trail becomes a bit more moderate as it follows the creek and then loops around back to the falls for a grand total of two miles. You and your kids will enjoy traveling alongside the creek as the rushing water drops over boulders and slides along ledges, creating an amazing backdrop for the hike.

Riley Moore Falls

Riley Moore Falls Trail
Westminster, SC

Riley Moore Falls is at the end of a short trail with a small beach. It’s a beautiful place, but be aware some people are careless with their trash here. Don’t walk around barefoot. The trail is about two miles and starts at the end of the forestry road.

Wildcat Wayside

US 276/SC 11
Cleveland, SC

This waterfall, swimming hole, and trail are right off SC 11 in Cleveland. There are stone steps leading up to the trails. The Wildcat Wayside loop is an easy mile. This attraction has been the site of several deaths and many accidents, so be careful.

Heading north on Route 11, the trail and pull-off parking area are on the right side of the road. There is a brown wooden sign that says Wildcat Wayside, but it’s easy to miss. It’s about five miles north of the 276/11 intersection.

Yellow Branch Falls

Walhalla, SC

This is a moderate three-mile round trip hike near Walhalla with a beautiful waterfall payoff. Parking is trailside on the road. This one is fairly popular, so try to get there early to get a parking spot.

Station Cove Falls

State Rd S-37-95
Walhalla, SC

Station Cove is on an easy trail that’s less than two miles round trip and perfect for little kids. It’s a huge, beautiful waterfall in the Oconee Station State Historic Site.

North Carolina Waterfall Hikes: Waterfalls in NC

Waterfalls in North Carolina are stunning and make for wonderful family day trips. We know you’ll love them!

Sapphire Valley, Land of the Waterfalls

Cashiers, NC

Kidding Around’s Kristina visited Sapphire Valley with her family and discovered why it has the nickname, “Land of the Waterfalls.” She has all the details on the numerous waterfall hikes in this beautiful area in her article on Sapphire Valley.

Waterfalls of DuPont State Recreational Forest

Staton Rd
Cedar Mountain, NC

With its 900 miles of hiking trails, six major waterfalls, and over 10,000 acres of forest, DuPont State Forest is a showcase of some of the most fabulous scenery in western NC. And it’s just an hour from Greenville! KAG Contributor Liene tells us all about the best waterfalls hikes in Dupont State Forest.

Catawba Falls

3074 Catawba River Rd
Old Fort, NC

Here’s our Kidding Around Review of Catawba Falls

The Catawba Falls trail east of Asheville is a fantastic trail for families. It’s beautiful and ends at a stunning waterfall. There are a lot of stairs, and overall it’s a moderately difficult hike.

Pearson’s Falls

2748 Pearson’s Falls Rd
Saluda, NC

Located in Saluda, NC, the trail to Pearson’s Falls is a moderate, 0.75 mile-hike through a botanical preserve. Most of the trail is made up of a stone stairway going up to the falls. The falls and the pond at the base of the falls are not accessible to the public, but there are multiple wading pools among the rocks at the top of the trail that are perfect for cooling little feet on hot days.

Little Bradley Falls

Holbert Cove Road
Saluda, NC

To reach Little Bradley Falls, park at a gravel pull-off on Holbert Cove Road. It’s about three miles from exit 59 on I-26. There are no signs, but the hike to Little Bradley starts on the opposite side of the road from the main parking area. It’s across the bridge on the east side of Cove Creek.

The trail is a 2.4-mile out-and-back moderate hike across boulders and through streams. Your feet will get wet! It ends at the 35-foot, triple-tiered waterfall that feeds into a large pool at the bottom that’s perfect for wading and cooling off on a hot summer day. 

Looking Glass Falls

US-276
Brevard, NC

This stunning roadside waterfall is right off 276 in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest. It’s beautiful and loud and amazing. If it’s really cold, Looking Glass Falls ices over, making it a winter wonderland. Park on the shoulder of the road, and follow the path and stairs to reach the bottom.

The waterfall is very close to Brevard, about 15 minutes from the main entrance.

Moore Cove Falls

Brevard, NC

The Moore Cove Falls trailhead is in Pisgah National Forest between Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock on 276. If you’re coming from Brevard, the trailhead will be on your right.

To get to the falls, just cross the bridge and head up the stairs to the right. The trail is well-marked and has a few creek crossings and bridges. It is about 1.2 miles round trip and is great for families with smaller kids since you don’t need to work hard to see a beautiful sight!

Hickory Nut Falls

431 Main Street
Chimney Rock, NC

The hike to Hickory Nut Falls at Chimney Rock State Park is 1.4-miles round trip and rated moderate. The waterfall at the end is an epic 404-foot-high beauty that was featured in the film, The Last of the Mohicans.

Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls at Gorges State Park

976 Grassy Ridge Road
Sapphire, NC

Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park is one of my favorite waterfalls and trails in our area. The waterfall is enormous, and you can get a really good view from the overlook. Or you can take a smaller trail down to the bottom of the falls (just be careful). 

If you go another quarter-mile down the trail, you’ll come to Turtleback Falls. It isn’t as stunning as Rainbow Falls, but it’s really fun. It’s a great place to cool off and go for a swim before heading back. Take care though as Turtleback is upstream of Rainbow Falls. Do not enter the water if there’s been recent rain.

The trail is about four miles round trip and rated moderate. The hike back is harder and more uphill than the hike to the waterfalls.

Whitewater Falls

NC 281
Cashiers, NC

Cascading more than 800 feet, Whitewater Falls is the tallest waterfall in the Eastern United States. It’s easily accessible and just over the border in North Carolina. It’s close to Gorges State Park.

The trail is a paved quarter-mile walk that leads to an overlook. You can go down a stairway for a closer view.

Mingo Falls

Eastern Cherokee Reservation
Cherokee, NC

Located in Cherokee, NC, the hike to Mingo Falls involves climbing a lot of stairs. I think it’s worth it because the waterfall is beautiful. It’s a great stop if you’re near Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

High Falls

358-1486 State Rd 1158
Glenville, NC

High Falls is near Cashier, NC and located below the dam at Lake Glenville. The dam releases water a few times a year which kayakers really love. It’s really fun to see! The trail is rated moderate and under four miles round trip.

Tennessee Waterfall Hikes

Mouse Creek Falls

Hartford, TN

Mouse Creek Falls is accessible via Big Creek Trail, a four-mile moderate hike along a river. While you’re in the area, check out the gorgeous Midnight Hole Lagoon!

Cataract Falls

Sevier County, TN

In the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, there is a one-mile round trip easy nature trail you can take along a creek that goes to the small but pretty Cataract Falls. It’s perfect for families with small kids.

Georgia Waterfall Hikes: Waterfalls in GA

The mountains of Northern Georgia are full of beautiful waterfalls. Below are some of our family favorites.

Anna Ruby Falls

Helen, GA

Anna Ruby Falls is a spectacular double waterfall as two waterfalls combine to form Smith Creek. The out-and-back trail is paved, with a moderate incline at times, and follows the boulder-lined creek to the falls. It’s a very pretty trail, and though short, is worth a trip in and of itself. There are multiple overlooks to enjoy the falls before heading back down the trail.

The trail begins at the Anna Ruby Falls visitor center where there’s restrooms and a gift shop, plus scenic picnic areas along the creek.

Don’t miss the Alpine town of Helen, GA while you’re in the area. If you’re looking for more hiking, don’t miss nearby Unicoi State Park. The hike around the lake is pretty and family-friendly.

Trahlyta Falls

Blairsville, GA

Please note: As of June 2026, Lake Trahlyta is currently drained for necessary dam repairs and maintenance. The Lake Trahlyta Loop Trail and the waterfall are also closed at this time. View the Vogel State Park website for more details.

At Vogel State Park, you’ll find a scenic trail around Trahlyta Lake. Start at the visitor’s center, and as you walk around the lake, you’ll come to a spur trail at the dam. Take the short spur trail down, and you’ll quickly come to Trahlyta Falls. After viewing the falls, walk back up the spur to finish the trail around the lake. The trail is mainly gravel and flat, while the spur trail is a bit steep on the way back up.

There are lots of other fun things to do in Blairsville, GA!

Long Creek Falls

Blue Ridge, GA

The trail to Long Creek Falls is an easy 1.9-mile hike. Want to say you’ve walked some of the Appalachian Trail with your family? The Long Creek Falls Trail combines with the AT and the Benton Mackaye Trail for most of the hike until it veers off to the falls. The signage to the falls is very clear, so you won’t end up hiking all the way to Maine.

The falls are beautiful with a nice area to relax, enjoy a snack on a rock, or even string up a hammock and enjoy the afternoon.

Note that the trailhead for Long Creek Falls is off a gravel road. Once you turn off the main road, Doublehead Gap Road, you’ll need to drive on Forest Service Road 40 for about five miles. We did this drive in a minivan. We likely would not have been able to make the drive had there been recent rain. 4×4 vehicles are generally recommended for forest service roads, although we did see many two-wheel-drive cars. Go slow, and watch for potholes and large rocks in the road.

Fall Branch Falls

Blue Ridge, GA

The trail to Fall Branch Falls is only 0.9 miles. It’s an out-and-back trail that’s an easy hike for children, and the drive is nearly all on paved roads. Just the last tenth of a mile or so is on gravel. Fall Branch Falls has several cascades and then a 30-foot drop into a pool. There is an observation deck right beside the pool. The parking area is also a very short walk from a pretty mountain creek you should check out before or after your hike to the falls.

These things make the Fall Branch Falls trail pretty popular. To avoid damage and erosion, please stay on the trail and avoid the places where hikers have cut off parts of the switchback by going off-trail. Check out our article on Leave No Trace to learn about caring for trails and nature.

What is your favorite waterfall to explore?