9 Must Do Hikes in the Upstate of South Carolina

Want to go hiking in Upstate South Carolina? I’ve got you covered!

Hiking in the Upstate of South Carolina is one of my favorite things to do. The area is relatively lesser known than a lot of the other hiking regions in the Southeast, but it still has a ton of incredible hikes to check out.

My all-time favorite area of the upstate is Walhalla, but other incredible areas are Table Rock State Park, Jones Gap State Park, Lake Jocassee, and Caesar’s Head State Park. Below is the list of hikes I think you must do if you visit this area of the state.

1. Yellow Branch Falls

• Distance: 3 miles out & back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation Change: 465 ft.
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Fee: No Fee
• Alltrails Map

Yellow Branch Falls is one of my all-time favorite hikes in the Upstate of South Carolina. The trail is a good workout but not too long and the falls at the end are stunning.

The parking lot for this trail isn’t massive, but there’s probably room for 10-20 cars. It’s easy to find as it’s not terribly far from downtown Walhalla.

The trail involves a few minor stream crossings and some natural stairs to get down to the bottom. I love the way the rocks form this waterfall. Definitely one of the most unique waterfalls I’ve seen in the Southeast.

2. Issaqueena Falls

• Distance: 0.3 miles out & back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Change: 88 ft.
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Fee: $5 Parking
• Alltrails Map

Issaqueena Falls is a great waterfall to add on if you’re also planning on completing Yellow Branch Falls. The two are spitting distance away from each other so it’s easy to complete both in one day.

There is a paved parking lot for this waterfall since it is one of the most popular hikes in the Upstate of South Carolina. Most people come to this area to see this specific waterfall and for good reason.

This waterfall is stunning and so easy to get to. The trail is short and relatively easily traversed.

The last bit to the bottom does require some caution as you go down, but if you are used to hiking it should be no problem for you!

I had a blast sitting at the bottom of this waterfall and just enjoying the view.

3. Station Cove Falls

• Distance: 1.6 miles out & back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Change: 98 ft.
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Fee: No Fee
• Alltrails Map

Station Cove Falls is also in the Walhalla area but doesn’t get as much attention as the first two waterfalls listed. In terms of bang for your buck, this waterfall is one of the best hikes in the Upstate of South Carolina.

The trail is easy with minimal elevation gain. It’s a great option for kids or dogs that have difficulty dealing with hills or steep inclines.

The walk to get here is through the beautiful, wooded forest. I recommend going on a weekday or early on the weekend since there isn’t a ton of parking for this trailhead.

4. Sids Falls

• Distance: 3 miles out & back
• Difficulty: Hard
• Elevation Change: 393 ft.
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Fee: No Fee
• Alltrails Map

Sids Falls is one of the most unique hikes in the Upstate of South Carolina. This hike is often overlooked by people headed to Brasstown Falls.

If you’re looking to venture off the beaten path, then this is it. Since this hike is more of a ‘hidden gem’ the parking is sparse and can truly only accommodate a few cars. There isn’t really a parking lot, but more of a dirt spot off the road in front of the gate.

The hike is easy until the last half mile or so when you have to push through some overgrowth and then traverse down a steep, muddy trail. I would not attempt this hike if you aren’t comfortable with a little extra adventure and prefer more well-trodden trails.

If you’re willing to give this trail a shot I can guarantee it’s well worth it. This is one of the coolest waterfalls I’ve seen in South Carolina and we did it all by ourselves.

Dogs can do this trail, but be advised the steep part is not for dogs who are not used to hiking or are not agile. My dog did this trail and didn’t have any issues, but he also goes hiking numerous times a month and is good with voice commands.

I would not attempt to take children on this trail. Additionally, we found numerous ticks after completing this hike since the grass is longer in certain areas.

5. Twin Falls

• Distance: 0.7 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Change:
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Fee: No Fee
• Alltrails Map

I discovered Twin Falls on a road trip up to North Carolina last year and I’m so glad I did. I was searching for an easy trail break since I’d been in the car for a few hours and this trail was the perfect remedy for stiff legs.

The parking lot for this trail is small and it fills up on a perfect summer day so I’d plan to get there early to complete this hike before the crowds.

For the most part, this trail is easy and straightforward. The area by the falls can be explored but please use caution and care as the rocks are much more slippery than they appear.

Swimming is not allowed at the falls as it is dangerous. You could swim downstream if you would like as I saw some small swimming holes along Reedy Cove Creek.

I saw a lot of trash at the trailhead of this hike so please follow leave no trace principles and pick up trash if you see some! Keeping these trails well maintained is so important for future use and we all need to do our part.

6. Rainbow Falls

• Distance: 4.4 miles
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Elevation Change: 1,181 ft.
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Day Use Fee: $6 adults, $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older), $3.50 children (6-15); children 5 and under free
• Alltrails Map

Rainbow Falls was one of the first trails I did after I moved to South Carolina and I was so impressed. The trail is located in Jones Gap State Park only about 45 minutes from Greenville, SC.

The trail is moderate and definitely doable for kids. I enjoyed hiking along the Middle Saluda River for parts of it. There are some sections that are steeper so be prepared with good shoes and plenty of water, especially if you’re tackling in the summer heat.

The falls at the end of the trail are beautiful and if you visit during the spring you will see them in full force.

Jones Gap is pretty popular due to its proximity to Greenville, SC so keep that in mind when you head this way for a hike. The parking lot can fill up quickly. We arrived at around 9 a.m. on a weekend and it was almost full.

7. Raven Cliff Falls

• Distance: 7.6 mile loop
• Difficulty: Hard
• Elevation Change: 2,109 ft.
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Day Use Fee: $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors (age 65 & older), $1 children (6-15), children 5 and under free
• Alltrails Map

I really enjoyed this hike, but I would consider it one of the more challenging hikes I’ve done in the upstate of South Carolina.

The length and elevation change are the two major factors for why this hike is hard, but the trail is also difficult to navigate in certain areas. I recommend having an offline map to make sure you are on the trail when things get a little confusing.

You can just hike to the overlook for the falls, but it’s not nearly as beautiful as the suspension bridge over the actual waterfall.

Be prepared for a lot of ups and downs as you make your way over to the suspension bridge. Additionally, you will also need to tackle a few small ladders. If you’re bringing a dog, you should be comfortable picking them up or directing them down/up these ladders. Otherwise, leave them at home or choose a different trail.

Bring plenty of water on this hike or a way to filter it. There are a few places to fill up, but I would suggest using a 2 or 3-liter water bladder so you don’t run out!

If you want to cut off some distance and time, you can choose to go right at the loop split and do an out & back. This will total approximately 5 miles instead of the 7.6 miles for the full loop. You will also avoid the ladders taking this approach.

One thing to note is that you will not see the overlook. I personally thought the overlook was subpar and would be okay skipping it.

8. Table Rock

• Distance: 6.9 miles
• Difficulty: Hard
• Elevation Change: 3,316 ft.
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Day Use Fee: $6 adults, $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older), $3.50 children (6-15); children 5 and under free
• Alltrails Map

Table Rock Trail is probably the most popular trail near Greenville, SC, and one of the most prominent in the upstate of South Carolina.

Located in Table Rock State Park, this strenuous trail has a stunning overlook that is worth the uphill battle. If you get the chance, stay a night or two at the campground. You won’t regret it!

The hike up to Table Rock summit is grueling and shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. It’s basically a 3.5-mile stair stepper.

Additionally, this trail has little to no water so make sure you pack appropriately. I’d also encourage you to pack a snack or lunch to enjoy at the top. My favorite is a homestyle rice krispie.

I would not recommend bringing your dog on this hike unless they are incredibly active or conditioned. My dog was exhausted after this trail and he hikes all the time.

The same goes for children. If your kids are used to hiking then I would say go for it! Just remember this is a long trail with minimal water so you should have enough for yourself, your dog, and your kids or they should carry some.

Although this trail is tough, the views at the top are well worth it.

9. Caesar’s Head Overlook

• Distance: 0.3 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Change: 45 ft.
• Pet-Friendly: Yes
• Directions
• Day Use Fee:  $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors (age 65 & older), $1 children (6-15), children 5 and under free
• Alltrails Map

Caesar’s Head Overlook is located right near the Caesar’s Head Visitor Center at this state park. If you’re planning on doing the Raven Cliff Falls trail, this is a great one to do afterward to watch the sunset.

The trail is easy and accessible for all ages. Sunset here is absolutely gorgeous and definitely something you shouldn’t miss if you’re in the area.

FAQ: Hikes in the Upstate of South Carolina

What is the longest hiking trail in South Carolina?

The longest hike in South Carolina is the Palmetto Trail. The trail spans from Walhalla SC all the way down to the coast, covering over 500 miles.

Does South Carolina have good hiking?

South Carolina has some amazing hikes, specifically in the upstate. You won’t find dramatic mountains here, but there’s a plethora of waterfalls and vistas to explore.

How long is Yellow Branch Falls trail?

Yellow Branch Falls is 3 miles roundtrip. I cover this more in the Yellow Branch Falls section above.

Conclusion: 9 Must-Do Hikes in the Upstate of South Carolina

Upstate South Carolina has so many great hikes to check out. Whether you only have half a day or want to spend an entire week exploring, there are hikes for everyone.

Take a drive out to Walhalla to see numerous gorgeous waterfalls, spend a day at Caesar’s Head State Park, or take a trip over to Jones Gap State Park to spend some time in nature.

You’re guaranteed to have a great time hiking in upstate South Carolina regardless of which hikes you choose to do!

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