Ashmore Falls

Greenville County, South Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Greenville County, South Carolina
Access status: Preserve trail to a distant view from the Lake Wattacoo dam
The walk: Distance to the dam is not given; the full Wattacoo Pond Loop is 1.5 miles
Ground & access: Old roadbeds and footpath with a small creek crossing (now bridged) and some uphill. Blazes are faded in places and several old roads cross the area.

Ashmore Falls drops into Wattacoo Creek above Lake Wattacoo in Ashmore Heritage Preserve, part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness. From the parking area, walk about 200 feet up the gravel road to a trail signed for the preserve. Follow it across shallow West Fork Creek, keep right past the trail to the left, continue uphill, then turn right onto broken pavement. It bends sharply left to the dam of Lake Wattacoo, where the falls come into view across the water. Return the same way or continue around the pink-purple blazed loop. The view is distant and partly hidden by vegetation in the leafy months; one visitor bushwhacked toward the base and found no better view.

Plan your visit

Persimmon Ridge Road parking area in Ashmore Heritage Preserve, trail across West Fork Creek and the Lake Wattacoo loop to the dam, with a view of Ashmore Falls across the lake

Femme au Foyer gives 1.5 miles for the Wattacoo Pond Loop. Upcountry SC gives step directions to the dam but no distance. The base of the falls has no trail.

Old roadbeds and footpath with a small creek crossing (now bridged) and some uphill. Blazes are faded in places and several old roads cross the area.

Where to start

Parking area on the right (east) side of Persimmon Ridge Road, about 0.8 to 0.9 mile north of US 276 / SC 11. Room for several cars. The road turns to gravel but is generally fine for most cars.

Timing & water

SC Trails says the preserve is open only during daylight hours. Upcountry SC suggests visiting after rain. The falls is easier to see in winter.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore South Carolina

Waterfall location

Greenville County, South Carolina.

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