Laurel Fork Falls

Pickens County, South Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Pickens County, South Carolina
Access status: Long Foothills Trail route to the falls overlook documented
The walk: 8.4 miles one way from the Laurel Valley access (SC Trails); about four miles one way from Laurel Fork Gap (Discover South Carolina)
Ground & access: Long, strenuous backcountry trail with many creek crossings on footbridges and a suspension bridge. The Laurel Fork Gap start avoids the hardest section.

Laurel Fork Falls is an 80-foot waterfall where Laurel Fork Creek drops into a narrow cove of Lake Jocassee in the Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve. From Pickens, drive north on US 178 about 16.5 miles, turn left onto Laurel Valley Road, take the gravel road to the right and drive 0.5 mile to the Foothills Trail Laurel Valley Access parking lot. Walk up the road to the Foothills Trail and follow it along Laurel Fork Creek, crossing the creek several times on footbridges and once on a suspension bridge. Past a large designated campsite, continue about 0.2 mile beyond it to the overlook of the falls. A 900-foot spur leads down to the lake shore and the Laurel Fork boat access. The shorter start is a small cleared area on Horsepasture Road at Laurel Fork Gap, across from a heritage preserve map; walk the old Laurel Fork Creek Road, closed to vehicles, about a mile to the Foothills Trail. The falls can also be seen from a boat on Lake Jocassee.

Plan your visit

Foothills Trail from the Laurel Valley access off US 178 along Laurel Fork Creek to the Laurel Fork Falls overlook above Lake Jocassee

SC Trails gives 8.4 miles one way and 5 to 6 hours from the Laurel Valley access; Discover South Carolina gives 8.1 miles for the same section. Discover South Carolina says starting at Laurel Fork Gap on Horsepasture Road shortens it to about four miles one way.

Long, strenuous backcountry trail with many creek crossings on footbridges and a suspension bridge. The Laurel Fork Gap start avoids the hardest section.

Where to start

Foothills Trail Laurel Valley Access parking lot, 0.5 mile up the gravel road off Laurel Valley Road (US 178). Alternative: small cleared area off gravel Horsepasture Road at Laurel Fork Gap.

Timing & water

No season limits are mentioned. Plan for a full day; SC Trails gives 5 to 6 hours one way from Laurel Valley.

Before you go

No parking fee is mentioned for the Laurel Valley access. The Foothills Trail Conservancy says kiosk registration is required for both day and overnight hikers.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore South Carolina

Waterfall location

Pickens County, South Carolina.

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