Long Creek Falls is located at the end of Turkey Ridge Road, which is a nicely maintained gravel road where even cars can comfortably traverse. It's a 1.65 mile trail (one way) that is an easy descent. That is, until you reach a STEEEEEEP turnoff leading to the Chattooga River and base of the falls. The parking area and trailhead are at the end of 2.9 mile long Turkey Ridge Road. [ DIRECTIONS ] Turn onto Damascus Church Road from Hwy 76 and drive approximately 2.7 mile (4 minutes) to Turkey Creek Road. BE SURE TO TURN RIGHT at the fork in the road just past Chattooga Belle Farm... which is a nice add-on stop for a scenic photo opportunity from their vineyard stone patio. SKIP the first turn onto Turkey Ridge and go to the second with the green street sign. The first turn is rather bumpy and uneven for cars. [ THE TRAIL ] IT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU PRINT or SCREEN SHOT THESE TRAIL INSTRUCTIONS: Once you reach the parking area at the end of Turkey Creek Road, secure your vehicle and begin your hike down the "primitive road." IF you have a high ground clearance SUV or truck, you can drive the primitive road another quarter mile to a second parking area. The road is VERY BUMPY and can be muddy in spots after heavy rains, so a 4x4 is best. You will come to a fork in the road on the primitive road. KEEP RIGHT! After reaching the second parking area, there will soon be a fork in the trail. KEEP RIGHT AGAIN!!! This will lead you around some downed trees and within a few yards you will pass a forest sign. During our hike there were orange ribbons tied on the trees to help direct you right instead of left. You will reach a point on the trail where the trail suddenly ends and a side trail leads you down a steep embankment to the Chattooga River. Be forewarned, the trail at this point is truly strenuous, but it is only for a short distance and well worth the effort to see this GORGEOUS waterfall. [ THE FALLS ] Once you reach the Chattooga River, you're gonna want to stay a while!!! You will be at a gorgeous section of the river worthy of a picnic or multi hour visit. It is simply breathtaking and it is hard to say exactly which is more beautiful... the waterfall or the river. Lucky you don't have to choose, because large stones let you sit for a spell and enjoy both simultaneously. TIP - Crossing Long Creek gives you easier access to the base of Long Creek Falls. YES, you will get wet, but it is worth the effort. Many waterfalls make you want to stay all day and just chillax, but this is definitely one that makes you never want to leave. IF it happens to have rained several days prior to your visit, then you will really be in for a treat as both the waterfall and the Chattooga River will be flowing with a vengeance! [ THINGS TO KNOW ] Hiking Distance: 3.3 miles (round trip to main falls) Difficulty of main trail: Easy & family friendly (main waterfall) Difficulty of hike down to base of falls: Strenuous & dangerous Creek Crossings: YES (1) must cross long creek for best access to base of falls. Expect to get your feet wet. Elevation Gain: 610 feet Waterfall Height: Approx 50 feet Access to top of falls: NO Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES Sitting areas @ base: YES + views of gorgeous Chattooga River RESTROOMS: NO PARKING: YES (6+ cars) + secondary parking area closer to falls for trucks and high ground clearance vehicles. [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] This hike gave me a trifecta of satisfaction. 1) It's location is unmatched along the Chattooga River. 2) All the first time hikers that came with us on this trip were deeply satisfied 3) We took two youth with us whose family don't travel and they had never even been outside Georgia. This was the first in-person waterfall they'd ever visited in their short 15 and 16 year old lives and they couldn't stop talking about it for the ENTIRE 2 hour drive home. "Where are we going on our next hike they asked?" which filled my heart to overflowing with joy. Without a doubt hiking brings a deep satisfaction to my soul, whether I am by myself or in a group. But when I get to share these experiences with first timers, it also deepens my appreciation of all God has given us to discover. GET OUT AND ENJOY! 2020 / 12 read more

See all

Me an Brooke as close as we could get on the slippery rocks. It is a two mile hike from the parking area, just choose the paths to the right. The hike itself is pretty flat (less than 3% grade). Easy and shady. There is a part that is narrow but most of the path is 6 ft wide. read more

Long Creek Falls - Me an Brooke as close as we could get on the slippery rocks - Local Flavor Near Me - Long Creek, South Carolina