10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in South Carolina (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of South Carolina's 27 named waterfalls, starting with Raven Cliff Falls. The list spans the Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands, Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges, and Piedmont and the Fall Line.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 16 publicly accessible South Carolina waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
-
1. Raven Cliff Falls
Slater-Marietta, SC · Greenville County · Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,973 photos of it on Google, about 29 for every review. 82% of its 67 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Towering waterfall plunging off a cliff, with views from a platform reached via a wooded trail." The setting includes Raven Cliff (cliff, 0.6 mi) and Coldbranch Mountain (summit, 1.0 mi). It is one of 12 named falls in the Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands region. The nearest town is Slater-Marietta, about 11 miles to the southeast.
-
2. Reedy Cove Falls
Pickens, SC · Pickens County · Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 344 photos of it on Google, about 2.6 for every review. 88% of its 133 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Scenic spot with a twin waterfall, accessed by a short, flat walk to a viewing platform." The setting includes Twisting Pine Mountain (summit, 0.8 mi) and Rich Mountain (summit, 0.9 mi). It is one of 12 named falls in the Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands region. The nearest town is Pickens, about 11 miles to the southeast.
-
3. Isaqueena Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 565 photos of it on Google, about 2.5 for every review. 83% of its 230 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Tranquil spot featuring a cascading waterfall with an observation deck & hiking trails." The setting includes Hi Saw Gap (gap, 0.7 mi) and Stumphouse Mountain (summit, 0.9 mi). It is one of 7 named falls in the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges region. The nearest town is Walhalla, about 4.3 miles to the southeast.
-
4. Kings Creek Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 366 photos of it on Google, about 5.4 for every review. 85% of its 68 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). The setting includes Mill Mountain (summit, 0.4 mi) and Carey Gap (gap, 1.1 mi). It is one of 7 named falls in the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges region. The nearest town is Walhalla, about 14 miles to the south.
-
5. Rainbow Falls
Slater-Marietta, SC · Greenville County · Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 208 photos of it on Google, about 4.1 for every review. 90% of its 51 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). The setting includes Little Rich Mountain (summit, 0.6 mi) and Cleveland Cliff (cliff, 0.7 mi). It is one of 12 named falls in the Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands region. The nearest town is Slater-Marietta, about 8.8 miles to the southeast.
-
6. Lower Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 101 photos of it on Google, about 3.2 for every review. 69% of its 32 reviewers rate it five stars (4.3 average). Its listing describes it as: "Dramatic cascade on the Whitewater River with a 1.9-mile hiking trail to a viewing platform." The setting includes Whitewater Mountain (summit, 0.3 mi) and Hester Mountain (summit, 1.1 mi). It is one of 7 named falls in the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges region. The nearest town is Walhalla, about 18 miles to the south.
-
7. Spoonauger Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 123 photos of it on Google, about 5.3 for every review. 87% of its 23 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Mill Mountain (summit, 0.9 mi) and Bee Bait Mountain (summit, 1.1 mi). It is one of 7 named falls in the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges region. The nearest town is Walhalla, about 15 miles to the south.
-
8. Hidden Falls
Walhalla, SC · Oconee County · Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 119 photos of it on Google, about 3.4 for every review. 69% of its 35 reviewers rate it five stars (4.4 average). The setting includes Long Mountain (summit, 0.5 mi) and Oconee Mountain (summit, 1.0 mi). Name history: Hidden Falls was discovered by Norman Arnold of Salem, SC in early 1994 while hiking in Sumter NF. It is one of 7 named falls in the Oconee Escarpment and Jocassee Gorges region. The nearest town is Walhalla, about 8.1 miles to the south.
-
9. Gordons Mill Falls
Clinton, SC · Laurens County · Piedmont and the Fall Line
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 16 photos of it on Google. 89% of its 9 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). It is one of 8 named falls in the Piedmont and the Fall Line region. The nearest town is Clinton, about 8.5 miles to the south.
-
10. Wildcat Branch Lower Falls
Slater-Marietta, SC · Greenville County · Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 18 photos of it on Google. 73% of its 22 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). It is one of 12 named falls in the Mountain Bridge and the Greenville Highlands region. The nearest town is Slater-Marietta, about 6.5 miles to the southeast.
When to Visit South Carolina's Waterfalls
Upstate South Carolina has a long waterfall season. Late winter through spring, roughly February to May, typically brings the strongest flow and the most consistent rainfall, along with wildflowers in the coves and blooming mountain laurel and rhododendron along streams from late spring into early summer. Summer is hot and humid, but frequent afternoon thunderstorms keep many escarpment falls running, and popular trailheads see heavy weekend traffic. Fall foliage usually peaks from late October into early November and draws crowds to Caesars Head and Table Rock. Dry spells in late summer and fall can reduce smaller falls. Winters are generally mild, though occasional cold snaps can leave ice on rocks and trails at higher elevations. Tropical systems occasionally bring flooding in late summer and fall.
Before You Go
Most Upstate falls are on public land in the Sumter National Forest, state parks such as Oconee, Caesars Head, Jones Gap and Devils Fork, and state-managed lands in the Jocassee Gorges. South Carolina State Parks charge admission at many parks. Trailheads can be at the end of narrow, winding roads, and parking at the most popular falls fills early on weekends. The escarpment's hazards are serious: wet granite near falls is extremely slick, and people climbing on or above falls have been seriously injured or killed. Stay on trails and behind railings. Streams can rise quickly after storms, and some falls require stream crossings that become dangerous in high water.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More South Carolina Waterfalls
See all 27 waterfalls in the South Carolina waterfall guide, or browse by town: Slater-Marietta, Pickens, Walhalla, Clinton.
More South Carolina Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in South Carolina?
Raven Cliff Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.7-star rating from 67 Google reviews. It is near Slater-Marietta in Greenville County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 16 publicly accessible South Carolina waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
How many waterfalls are in South Carolina?
Our directory lists 27 named waterfalls in South Carolina. See them all, sorted by town, in the South Carolina waterfall guide.
Which South Carolina waterfall is easiest to reach?
Reedy Cove Falls in Pickens County is reached by a short, flat walk to a viewing platform, and Isaqueena Falls near Walhalla has an observation deck overlooking the cascade.