Hidden Falls
Oconee County, South Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Oconee County, South Carolina
- Access status
- Signed state park trail and trailhead documented
- The walk
- 4.6 miles out and back, per South Carolina State Parks
- Ground & access
- Moderate forest trail with a descent of about 250 feet on the final section, which you climb on the way back. Rocks around the falls are slippery.
Hidden Falls is a waterfall of about 50 to 60 feet on a small tributary of Tamassee Creek, in Sumter National Forest just east of Oconee State Park. Start at the kiosk across the road from the Foothills Trail parking area inside the park, where the yellow-blazed Hidden Falls Trail, the white-blazed Foothills Trail and the black-blazed Tamassee Knob Trail begin together. Turn left with the yellow and white blazes where the Tamassee Knob Trail goes right. After about 1.25 miles, take the steps down to a dirt road, turn right and then bear left at the Hidden Falls sign. The trail descends past a small disappearing falls on the same creek and reaches the base of Hidden Falls. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Oconee State Park Foothills Trail trailhead, Foothills Trail to the signed Hidden Falls Trail (yellow blazes) to the base of the falls
South Carolina State Parks lists the Hidden Falls Trail as 4.6 miles out and back. NC Waterfalls gives 2.4 miles one way from the small trail parking area.
Moderate forest trail with a descent of about 250 feet on the final section, which you climb on the way back. Rocks around the falls are slippery.
Where to start
Oconee State Park, off SC 107 about 2.3 miles north of SC 28. Bear right after the pay station and follow signs for the Foothills Trail to the small trail parking area on the right, about 0.8 miles from the park entrance. Hikers are asked to register at the trailhead.
Timing & water
The falls can be a trickle in dry weather; it is best after rain.
Before you go
Oconee State Park admission: $5 per adult, $3.25 for SC seniors, $3 for children 6 to 15, free for age 5 and under.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Disappearing FallsPartial guide: small falls beside the Hidden Falls Trail; the route source does not use this nameOconee County, SC0.3 miW
- Horse Bone FallsPartial guide: no trail; off-trail approach along or down to Horse Bone BranchOconee County, SC0.3 miN
- Lee FallsPartial guide: no official trail; old fields and an unofficial creekside pathOconee County, SC1.2 miNW
- Station Cove FallsResearched walking routeOconee County, SC2.1 miS
- Jim Lee FallsPartial guide: unmarked cross-country route next to private landOconee County, SC2.4 miS
- Cheohee Road FallsPartial guide: roadside falls; no parking describedOconee County, SC2.5 miN
- Crossland Creek FallsOconee County, SC2.6 miN
- Lower Wash Branch FallsOconee County, SC2.8 miN
- Upper Wash Branch FallsOconee County, SC2.9 miN