Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upstate
Along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway to granite domes, a clear mountain lake and a dozen falls.
- Distance
- 143 km (89 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 35 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- States
- SC, NC
- Updated
- May 5, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 143 km (89 mi) with 8 stops, from Greenville to Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel. About 1 h 35 min of driving in total.
More road trips in South Carolina, North Carolina · More road trips from Brevard
Route description
Begin in Greenville, where Falls Park puts a waterfall in the middle of downtown. Drive north on US-276 through Travelers Rest to Caesars Head State Park, where the overlook sits beside the road and a four-mile round-trip trail reaches Raven Cliff Falls.
Drop back to State Road 11, the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, which follows the base of the Blue Ridge past peach stands and small churches. Table Rock State Park is the showpiece, a bare granite dome above a lake with a stone lodge from the 1930s.
Continue west to Devils Fork State Park on Lake Jocassee, whose clear water hides waterfalls you can only reach by kayak or boat tour. From here State Road 130 climbs across the North Carolina line to the overlook at Whitewater Falls.
Finish around Walhalla, where Issaqueena Falls and the unfinished Stumphouse railroad tunnel share a parking lot, and several short trails lead to more falls along State Road 28. Spring brings the highest water; summer weekends are busy at the lake.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Greenville
SC - 21 km
Falls Park on the Reedy
NatureGreenville, SCA waterfall in the middle of downtown Greenville, crossed by the curved Liberty Bridge. Easy to combine with a walk along Main Street.
- 343 km
Caesars Head State Park
ViewsCleveland, SCA granite overlook on the Blue Ridge Escarpment right next to the parking lot, and the trailhead for the hike to 420-foot Raven Cliff Falls.
- 413 km
Table Rock State Park
NaturePickens, SCA bare granite dome reflected in a lake, with rustic 1930s park buildings. The summit trail is a strenuous all-day climb; the lake view needs no effort.
- 529 km
Lake Jocassee, Devils Fork State Park
NatureSalem, SCThe only public access to a clear mountain lake fed by waterfalls, many of them reachable only by boat or kayak. Rentals and tours run from the park.
- 613 km
Whitewater Falls
NatureSapphire, NCOne of the highest waterfalls in the East, seen from a paved overlook a short walk from the parking area just north of the South Carolina line.
- 736 km
Walhalla
SC - 89 km
Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel
HistoryWalhalla, SCA 100-foot waterfall next to an unfinished 1850s railroad tunnel you can walk into. Both are a few minutes from the same parking lot.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Greenville → Caesars Head State Park · 27 mi · 0 h 29 minOn the way: Falls Park on the Reedy.Overnight nearby, for example: Gorges State Park Campground (18 mi); Palmetto Cove RV Park (3 mi).
- Day 2: Caesars Head State Park → Whitewater Falls · 34 mi · 0 h 36 minOn the way: Table Rock State Park, Lake Jocassee, Devils Fork State Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Gorges State Park Campground (6 mi); Devils Fork Campground (6 mi).
- Day 3: Whitewater Falls → Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel · 28 mi · 0 h 30 minOn the way: Walhalla.Overnight nearby, for example: Chattooga River Lodge and Campground (9 mi); Crooked Creek RV Park (9 mi).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upstate?
3-day road trip of about 143 km (89 mi) with 8 stops, from Greenville to Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel. About 1 h 35 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upstate?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 35 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upstate start and end?
It starts in Greenville and ends in Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel.
Which states does Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upstate pass through?
South Carolina and North Carolina.
Where can you camp along Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upstate?
OpenStreetMap lists 75 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Gorges State Park Campground, GSP RV Park and Rainbow R.V. Park.
When is the best time for Waterfalls of the South Carolina Upstate?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
