Rocky Branch Falls

Greenville County, South Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Greenville County, South Carolina
Access status: Partial guide: distant view only; exact listing match probable
The walk: About 2½ miles round trip for the published Buckeye Falls outing, which includes this view
Ground & access: Strenuous, rocky official trail with a steady climb; open power line clearing at the viewpoint.

6AM City Greenville Voices: Take a hike to Buckeye Falls

Rocky Branch Falls is seen from a distance where Rocky Branch drops over the Blue Ridge Escarpment cliff above Buckeye Falls. From the Jones Gap State Park trailhead, take the Hospital Rock Trail past the old fish hatchery pond and the primitive campsites; the trail then climbs about 400 feet. It crosses Rocky Branch below Buckeye Falls. About 50 yards farther toward Hospital Rock, the trail enters a power line clearing. From the middle of the clearing, look far to the left of the cliff face to see Rocky Branch Falls coming over the edge. Return the same way. This is a distant view only, and the match between this listing and the drop seen from the clearing is probable, not confirmed.

Plan your visit

Jones Gap State Park, Hospital Rock Trail past the Rocky Branch crossing to the power line clearing, distant view of the falls

The 6AM City Greenville Voices article gives about 2½ miles of trail for its out-and-back hike, which includes a rough side path to the base of Buckeye Falls and the view from the power line clearing. A separate blog puts Buckeye Falls about 0.8 mile along the Hospital Rock Trail.

Strenuous, rocky official trail with a steady climb; open power line clearing at the viewpoint.

Where to start

Jones Gap State Park, 303 Jones Gap Road, Marietta, SC 29661. Roadside parking is not allowed. Parking reservations are required for guaranteed entry on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cross the Middle Saluda River footbridge to the trout pond and the Hospital Rock trailhead. Hikers must fill out a registration card.

Timing & water

Trails close one hour before sunset, year-round. Flow over the cliff depends on recent rain.

Before you go

Park admission: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (65 and older); $3.50 children 6 to 15; ages 5 and under free.

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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