These falls are beautiful. I highly recommend checking them out. If you want a longer hike start at…read morethe Oconee Station State Historic Site. There are bathrooms there. If you prefer an easier, shorter hike then drive past the historic site and the trailhead, and parking, are on the left. If you start at the historic site, know that you will eventually just be crossing that same street to get to the trailhead.

We started our adventure and family hike #8 (sans toddler - insert sad face) at Oconee Station…read moreState Historic Site. We also combined the Interpretive Nature Trail with the Station Cove Trail, which made for a longer, albeit nice hike around 3.1 miles. There's about a 260 ft. elevation gain, but wooden steps help with this ascent and then descent. Usually such a long walk would make my leg muscles ache the next day, but strangely enough I felt no soreness. I guess that means that I'm finally in shape enough to handle longer hikes. Woohoo! The large pond or small lake, depending on your opinion of what a body of 4 acres should be, was beautiful and shimmering in green and blue hues. Didn't see any fish or other creatures in it, but it is supposed to be full with bluegill and largemouth bass. Maybe we'll return for some fishing. Not long after the nature trail joins the falls trail you'll cross over Oconee Station Rd. There is an area for parking cars and from here the trail to the waterfall is about 0.75 mile, so if you prefer a shorter version this is it. I loved seeing the flowers starting to bloom and caught some good pictures of bloodroots and hepaticas. Down by one of the creeks an open area under a rock revealed animal footprints (maybe a raccoon?), which was cool to spot. There were more than a few trees down (probably from Hurricane Helene), but not completely obstructing the trail. As you approach the waterfall you step over some rocks from Station Creek to the other side. I'm glad that we had a good rainfall the day before, because it made for a great rush of water. Truly beautiful and my favorite falls discovered so far. We did run into a few people so it's definitely not an isolated area by any means (and we went on a Monday morning) although we did not meet another soul on the nature trail. Also, between the 3rd and 4th bridge is the Oconee Connector Trail which leads to Oconee State Park in case you want to add another 5.4 miles (I think) round trip to this one, but beware it apparently has an 800 ft. elevation change. Maybe one day I'll brave it. Overall, this was a great hike and our boys really enjoyed the beauty of the waterfall and easily travailed it. Looking forward to come back one day soon! Happy yelping!

Wanna know a secret???…read more There are waterfalls all over this region of the South just waiting to be discovered. Many are known and many more are unknown. While I've been hiking this area for nearly a decade, I only recently heard about this waterfall for the first time last year (2019). A well kept local secret indeed... but y'all dun let the wrong yelper discover this waterfall and the secret is about to be let out! [ THE DRIVE ] There are a shocking amount of natural waterfalls located on private property throughout this area. Thankfully this is not one of them and it can be enjoyed by all. The gravel road to the trailhead is known as Big Creek Road. Since we were coming from the King Creek Waterfall area near Tamassee SC, GPS lead us to the eastern end of Horse Cove Road, which is also known as Bull Pen Road closer to the Chattooga River (where you pass over a cool old iron bridge). I tell you these details because if you happen to follow our driving route on a week after heavy rainfalls, you are likely to see a great number of unnamed waterfalls off in the woods. We counted 5, and only one of them was a named waterfall on Google maps (Scotsman Falls). [ THE EXPERIENCE ] We traveled along Walking Stick Road until it took a sharp right turn towards Big Creek Road. On the day we visited, there was a locked gate blocking the drive onto Big Creek Road, so we parked in a small little niche near the gate and walked about 200 yards to the Secret Falls trailhead (which is marked with a narrow sign). The trail was very muddy, but the descent was slow and steady for the majority of the half mile hike. However, it gets considerably steeper as you approach the portion of the trail leading to the base of the falls. Here you will see poorly maintained wooden timbers actings as steps.They were so poor in fact, that we opted not to use them and walked alongside them. The waterfall was raging from all the recent rain, which limited some of our photo opportunities. It is a gorgeous waterfall with picturesque cascades both above and below it. The cascades below comes as the river takes a sharp left turn just past the pool of water at the base of the falls. Accessing the upper waterfall area is easily done by using a small obvious trail off to the left just before the wooden steps. A downed tree forces you to scramble over it and around large rhododendrons that are bent over from the weight of the fallen tree. Once through the brush, you will be directly on top of the falls, so be careful and exercise good judgement. [ THINGS TO KNOW ] Hiking Distance: 1.3 miles Difficulty: Easy and family friendly (but can be muddy) Creek Crossings: YES (3) Elevation Gain: 255 feet Waterfall Height: Approx 45 feet Access to top of falls: YES Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES Sitting areas @ base: YES RESTROOMS: NO PARKING: YES if gate is open. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] THE SECRET IS OUT!!! This is a great waterfall for an easy family adventure. We came in the winter, but seems this would be a great picnic spot where kids could play in the water for hours in the summer. The drive to nearby Highlands, NC is only about 6.5 miles away for plenty of food options and even more waterfall adventures. Near Highlands are a number of GREAT waterfalls with very short hiking distances including Ranger Falls, Bust Yer Butt Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Cullasaja River Falls and our personal favorites: Glen Falls, Dry Falls, Mud Falls and Estatoah Falls (which is hidden just next to the Sky Valley Scenic Overlook). ENJOY!!! 2020 / 4

I was somewhat surprised that there are not more reviews of this trail/waterfall. I believe that…read morethe real name of this falls is Big Shoals Falls. In his book on NC waterfalls, Kevin Adams referred to it as Secret Falls and the name seems to have stuck. For years, there was no official trail to this waterfall and the one unofficial trail which existed traversed private property. I've been visiting the area for thirty years and this (October 2021) was my first visit to this waterfall. Bottom line: It is awesome. Truly one of the more beautiful waterfalls that I've been to. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer: IMO, this trail is in horrible shape. Granted, reviews like these are entirely subjective. But I would definitely not bring young children or dogs here. When I visited, the trail was really in bad shape. The first part of the hike was fairly easy. But the farther you go, the worse the trail becomes. Erosion had taken a terrible toll. There are many rutted and washed-out areas. Some were so bad that hikers have bypassed the trail completely. The final descent to the base of the falls was the worst. Wooden steps had been constructed. But the erosion was so bad that much of the soil behind the steps had washed out making the steps all but unusable. There are two water crossings on the trail. One was a couple of planks stretched across a small branch. The other was on a split log over a somewhat larger stream. Neither was too difficult. Then again, the faint-of-heart would probably not care for either one. Trekking poles helped me on both. I was not able to find a path to the brink of the falls. I tried one crude path which seemed to be incredibly choked with rhododenron. So I gave up on getting to the top of the falls. There is a much smaller cascade downstream of the main falls. As with the brink, I could not figure out how to get to it. I visited early in the morning and had the place all to myself. The lighting wasn't terrific. I'm not sure what time or sky conditions are ideal for photography. I drove in on Rich Gap and Big Creek Roads off of Hwy 28 south of Highlands. It wasn't too bad of a drive in my 2WD F-150. But I believe that the drive out on Walking Stick Rd to Horse Cove Rd east of town was easier. If you love waterfalls, definitely put this one on your must-see list. But be aware of the fact that the hike is a challenge. Not so much due to elevation change (which is moderate) but, rather, due to the overall condition of the trail.

This is the best waterfall we got to visit in SC this far. After we left Reedy Branch Falls we…read moredrove here. Well, as close as we could get. I didn't realize that we couldn't drive all the way to the trailhead so we had a long hike in store due to me having to carry my toddler most of the time. I should have re-read the previous reviews before coming. My friend did help me carry her as well and for that I was very thankful. So definitely don't recommend this hike with a little one unless strapped in a carrier. Also, I don't recommend it for the elderly either. It's definitely a wilderness hike deal with roots and elevation change. In fact, it's mostly downhill on the way to the falls, but on the way back it's pretty much all uphill, which was not fun with aforementioned young child. It's about a half mile to the actual trailhead and then another 0.7 mile to the falls. That's about 2.4 miles round trip. The reason of course that my boys absolutely became enamored with this place is the large swimming hole. It is wonderful and has plenty of space. The waterfall itself is beautiful and although it's not as tall as others, its width is quite impressive. I was trying to get as close as I could and even noticed a hidden part of the falls inside of the rock structure. That was so cool!! The sand at the base and shore give it a beachy vibe. We definitely packed it in and out making sure not to leave anything behind as to preserve the area as best as possible. Needless to say we were wiped by the time we made it back to our vehicles, but we're still glad we decided to venture here. Coming back with my hubby and boys in the very near future. Happy yelping!

I just wanted to update my 3/15/20 review below to add I've now done this hike several times, but…read moreTHIS time I had the chance to hike it with a friend who is directly related to the namesake of the waterfall... Riley Moore. Sandie is a church friend of mine and Riley Moore was her Great Great Uncle (I believe that's right). He once upon a time operated a grist mill here at the top of the falls. She's been trying to get here to see the waterfall, but couldn't find it and wanted to join us (along with her family) since I knew the way. Upon further research I discovered there are actually still remnants of the mill including visible drill holes, spikes and bolts. Thought that was pretty cool info to share! [ [ [ PREVIOUS REVIEW ] ] ] Riley Moore Falls is small in height but HUGE in personality. It's located off State Road S37-748, which is a nicely maintained gravel road where cars and trucks alike can comfortably traverse. ~~~ DIRECTIONS From Westminster, SC - DO NOT turn onto Cobb Bridge Road from Long Creek Hwy (Hwy 76) where you will see the brown & white sign pointing you in the direction of Riley Moore Falls. Our GPS had us go this way, then left onto State Road S37-748, but the road was CLOSED during our visit! INSTEAD, turn onto PU-32 also known as Rocky Fork Road. Turn left onto a gravel road near Rocky Fork Baptist Church and follow that until it dead ends @ State Road S37-748 (also known as Spy Rock Road). Turn right and drive approx. 1.4 miles (4 minutes) to 748c (aka Riley Moore Shoals Road). Park at the intersection of State Road S37-748 and 748c. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE 748c in a car or minivan. Low clearance vehicles will find the terrain on this road to be VERY difficult to navigate without bottoming out or getting stuck. I'd also recommend 4x4 capability on wet days! There can be several deep-pocketed muddy areas after heavy rains. ~~~ THE TRAIL Once you reach the intersection of Spy Rock Rd (S37-748) and 748c, park roadside on Spy Rock, secure your vehicle and begin your hike approx. 1/2 mile down the "primitive road." IF you have a high ground clearance SUV or truck, you can drive the primitive road another half mile or so to a second parking area near the trailhead. The primitive road is VERY BUMPY  and can be muddy in spots after heavy rains, so a 4x4 is best. After reaching the second parking area, follow the marked trail on the left!!! The trail is a little over a 1/2 mile to the falls from here. The trail is fairly straightforward and easy to follow. ~~~ THE FALLS Once you reach the Chauga River, you will notice a large sandy area with plenty of room for an entire horde of hikers!!! Riley Moore Falls is not very tall (only about 12 feet), but it is very wide and has a deep base pool. PRO TIP - Bring swimwear, towels and a picnic, but be sure to pack it in and pack it out. ~~~ THINGS TO KNOW Hiking Distance: 2 miles (round trip to falls from S37-748) Difficulty of hiking 748c: All downhill to trailhead (moderate return) Difficulty of hiking trail to falls: EASY Creek Crossings: NO Elevation Gain: 357 feet Waterfall Height: Approx 12 feet Access to top of falls: NO - not without getting wet Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES Sitting areas @ base: YES + sandy beach RESTROOMS: NO PARKING: YES (along road) + secondary parking area closer to trailhead for trucks and high ground clearance vehicles with room for about 6 cars. ~~~ [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] A lovely waterfall in any season, but also a great spot for a summer swim. While we had the waterfall practically to ourselves during our Mid-March expedition, be advised other trail website reviews say it gets trashy & crowded in summer months. What a shame if that is true because it truly is a treasure. ENJOY! 2022 / 74 #UPDATE 178

Hike no. 1 in the Nantahala National Forest was at Glen Falls Trail. It's a moderate out-and-back…read morehike that is 2.4 miles. Make sure you stop at all of the lookouts on the way down because the views are amazing and so is the waterfall at the end. It's a must visit.

Beautiful trail but strenuous workout. I thought we were about to the end but when we tracked…read moreelevation on the way back up, it seems we only did half the trail and I was still tired. There are no benches to sit and rest, but there are steps and rocks aplenty. I come from a place where you can get in almost all waterfalls and it's torture being so close to a beautiful one and not being able to reach in and feel the water, but it is a beautiful hike and perfectly shaded from sun. There was GPS reception going in, but we didn't get it until going the mile back out of the dead end street to the main roads again, so check the start of directions back before you go.

Big Bend Falls is said to be the largest waterfall on the Scenic Chattooga River and can be reached…read morevia a 3.2 mile one way Hike from Burrell's Ford Campground. You can go directly to the falls via the trail at the end of the parking lot near the gate, OR take the trail directly across from the restroom facilities, which I would recommend! THAT trail leads you to Kings Creek, where you will find a stunning 70 foot waterfall. Once you've seen the falls, backtrack in the same direction you came until you see a side trail leading you to the Foothills Trail (white blazes). Eventually it will connect with another trail (green blazes) and you will follow it for approx. 2.8 miles. The Foothill Trail mostly follows the Chattooga River, but there will be a few sections of the trail that cut across higher elevations where the river is far below you or not visible at all. However, there are also several areas where you can walk out onto the river banks and take absolutely stunning pictures. It is no wonder the Chattooga is considered one of the most beautiful wild & scenic rivers in the southeastern United States! I would recommend using a satellite GPS trail tracking system that does not rely on the internet to find the falls. We ran across several backpack hikers that could not find the falls, which had us worried. However, ya' boy and his crew go t it done and found the elusive side trail that leads to the falls from the main trail. ~ INSIDER TIP: Once you cross the one-rail footbridge and see the signs that says Big Bend Falls [.8 miles], you will hike a number of switchbacks and sections with timber steps. The falls are not visible from the main trail, but you CAN hear them. The audible level of the falls is only slightly louder than the roar of the rivers rapids. However, once you are on the side trail down to the falls, you will hear the deep base tone of the falls much better. The trail down to the falls is just beyond a long set of timber stairs after the third or forth switchback. Immediately after the stairs is small a rock outcrop you must climb down and directly to your right after that will be a narrow opening in the thicket. The side trail entrance is here. ~ WARNING: The side trail is VERY STEEP and tight in some areas. You need both hands and feet to get down safely and it will require you to hold onto branches, roots or anything you can to keep from slipping. I would NOT RECOMMEND bringing small children on this hike. As a matter of fact, I would even go as far as to say it would be difficult (not impossible) for anyone shorter than 5 feet. There were some sections I needed my entire 5'11" frame to find the ground below me as I held onto a branch. ~ TRAIL DETAILS * PARKING AREA: YES [Burrell's Ford Campground] * RESTOOMS: YES * LENGTH: 3.2 miles ONE WAY to falls * DIFFICULTY: 5 out of 10 [main trail] / 9 out of 10 [side trail to falls] * ELEVATION GAIN: 785+ feet (one way) * WATERFALL ATTRACTIVENESS: 10 out of 10 | Kings Creek 6 out of 10 | Big Bend (mostly because of volume) * WATERFALL HEIGHT: 70 feet | Kings Creek 30 feet | Big Bend (but looks smaller) ~ FINAL TOUGHTS Some trail guide rate this trail as strenuous and others moderate. I would say it is mostly moderate, but the side trail climb down to the falls is no joke! It's not very long, but it requires great effort. Still, to those who risk it, there is a marvelous reward! Even without going down to Big Bend Falls it is a very rewarding trail, particularly in the fall season. The trail affords some seriously stunning views and photo ops of the Chattooga River, and Kings Creek Falls simply should not be missed! Also nearby are Spoonauger Falls, Licklog Falls and Pigpen Falls if you have the extra energy. ENJOY!!! 2020 / 80

Amazing to watch the shadow come around and morph into a bear! If you are in the area in mid-late…read moreOctober, make sure you check this out! Bear comes around 5:30 pm but definitely get there early as there is limited parking.

Are you looking for something to do this fall? Have you ever heard of the "Shadow of the Bear" in…read moreNorth Carolina? This was highlighted in "Our State" magazine, I think last year but I could have saved the article from the year before, but this was one of those items on my "local" bucket list to see. I love the Shadow of the Bear in Cashiers! The "Shadow of the Bear" is visible for 30 minutes daily (on sunny days!) between 5:30-6:15 PM from mid-October through early November as the sun sets behind Whiteside Mountain between Sapphire Valley and Highlands, North Carolina. It's best seen on clear days around 5:30 p.m., with the show lasting for about a half-hour. The photos below are from 2022; I'm pretty sure we'll visit again this year. PS I agree with Ginger L. that the camaraderie with all the people standing on the side of the road to watch is an experience in itself. A note of caution, to view the bear, you park your car on the side of a road hugging the edge of a mountain and people crossing the road that has a curve around the mountain so use caution while driving through the area and walking along the road!!!! But its all worth the view!!!

Beautiful falls but only gave it 4 stars because it's the kind of place that you get to it, take a…read morepicture, and leave. After walking down wooden stairs, you end up on a viewing deck. The waterfall is in the distance. It's a fairly easy hike. Getting there is easy but after you do have to walk back up the stairs but there is a bench at the halfway point to take a rest. We did this along with Silver Run Falls, 9 miles away. Both of these hikes are fairly easy and would be good for small children and/or dogs. I recommend doing both of these falls on same day because you can easily do both within 90 minutes.

The area is a very complicated series of different jurisdictions; this is federal land under the…read moreFish and Wildlife Service. A parking lot has self-pay stations for a small fee (national parks passes can be displayed in your car instead). The walk to a first view is short, but if you can handle a stair workout, the resulting platform is eminently worthwhile. I've done my fair share of waterfall viewings, and you could hardly imagine a better sight than this complex cascade and the fall color show I arrived just in time for. A separate trail ran down into the valley, with signs saying there were no more waterfall views; and thus presumably no way to get to the falls directly.

Awesome hike! Several overlooks on the way. I would say it was a moderate hike. Very clean area!!…read moreHighly recommended

During busy times you may have problems finding parking (paid area) The trail starts off with a…read morecouple of flights of stairs. When you reach the top the left side is the "easier" side up to the top and the right side is more stone stairs that is a shorter distance, but tougher climb. We took the left side going up and down. There are large rock areas along the way, which might make it difficult if you have mobility problems. Otherwise, it was a bit wet on the path in places, but it had rained a good bit of the day before. The whole path is a light incline the entire way up, but an easy decline on the way down. There are no sitting areas along the path when you reached the top there are two overlooked areas. The better view is the one all the way to the right there is a sign, noting the continental divide on either side of White side Mountain very cool. It was definitely worth the hike. It took us about 30 minutes to get to the top. I saw people with dogs and children a lot. It is a very family friendly activity.

Beautiful waterfalls and very easy to get to from warwoman dell parking lot. The trail is abt 2…read moremiles one way with an easy water crossing within 5 min. You can avoid it if you take the trail on the right of road crossing instead of going straight. The path is mostly gentle and downhill to falls but it felt ssteep and uphill on our way back from pinnacle knob at the end of 8 Miles. Always an awesome hike especially after rain or with fall colors

Martin Creek Falls is a beautiful secluded waterfall in Clayton, GA near Warwoman Dell. It is part…read moreof the Chattahoochee National Forest that encompasses the entire Northeast corner of the state of Georgia. The forest itself is 750,145 acres and is so large that it is divided into regions. Martin Creek is located in the Chattooga River District and specifically in Rabun County, whom incorporates the largest portion of the National Forest. 148,684 acres of this massive forest system lie within Rabun County borders. Depending on how much you like hiking, you can get to Martin Creek Falls on a short 1/2 mile hike via Finney Creek Road or a longer 2 mile hike (one way) from Warwoman Dell via the Bartram Trail. If you choose to hike from Warwoman Dell, your extra effort will be rewarded with two additional waterfalls as well as a loop trail highlighting the history of the area. Becky Branch Falls is located near the trailhead at Warwoman Dell and an additional unnamed waterfall is about 1/4 mile south of Martin Creek Falls. Only about 8 feet tall, but it's multiple levels make it a beauty. Martin Creek Falls is one of the prettier waterfalls in North Georgia. It is a multi-tiered waterfall that looks as if it goes on forever from the base. It is also one of the few waterfalls that I wish the vegetation would be cut away to make the full view of the falls visible. From the deck at its base you can see the largest drop, but the upper tiers become more difficult to see as vegetation near the middle tier blocks the view. Still, it is a gorgeous waterfall that makes wandering in this neck of the woods an incredibly satisfying adventure. The lower part of the falls are shaded while the upper part is sunny, so bring a UV filter (which I forgot) for best DSLR results. DIRECTIONS From US-23 (Hwy 441) in Clayton, Georgia travel east on Rickman Road. In 1/2 a mile it will merge into Warwoman Road. 2.5 miles from here you will pass the parking entrance to Warwoman Dell, which is difficult to see, but look for a small brown sign with a picnic table symbol and turn right. You can either park here and take Bartram Trail to the falls (about 2 miles one way) OR continue along Warwoman Road to Finney Creek Road. Approximate address for Finney Creek Road is 3742 Warwoman Rd, Clayton, GA 30525. TURN LEFT. It is a gravel road across from an open grassy field. The trailhead to the falls is approximately 1.1 miles from Warwoman Road or approximately 1/2 mile from the Wildlife Management Check-In station that you will pass along Finney Creek Road. Hike from this trailhead to the falls is approximately 1/2 mile round trip. Recommended for families with young children as they can also splash around in the pool of water at the waterfalls base, so bring their swimsuits and ENJOY! 2018/54