Silver Steps Falls

Greenville County, South Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Greenville County, South Carolina
Access status: State park wilderness trail route and parking documented
The walk: About 4.6 miles round trip, per the SC Native Plant Society
Ground & access: Moderate trail, rocky in places, with log bridges and possible wet areas. Avoid the steep informal path down from the trail above the falls.

NC Waterfalls: Silver Steps Falls aka Dargans Cascade

Silver Steps Falls, also known as Dargans Cascade, is a waterfall of about 15 to 20 feet on the Middle Saluda River on the Jones Gap Trail. From the Silver Steps parking area, take the white-blazed Silver Steps Trail to a log bridge over the river and the blue-blazed Jones Gap Trail. Turn right. Cross the river again on a log bridge after about half a mile, then reach a double log bridge at the top of an unnamed cascade. Continue down the Jones Gap Trail; it turns hard right and descends to river level, where a short spur leads to the base of the falls. Return the same way. The falls can also be reached from Jones Gap State Park on the Jones Gap Trail.

Plan your visit

Silver Steps parking area on US 276 below the NC line, Silver Steps Trail down to the Jones Gap Trail, then downstream along the Middle Saluda River to Silver Steps Falls

The SC Native Plant Society describes the trail from a parking lot near Caesars Head State Park as 2.3 miles in and back, 4.6 miles round trip. NC Waterfalls gives about 4 miles one way from the Jones Gap State Park end.

Moderate trail, rocky in places, with log bridges and possible wet areas. Avoid the steep informal path down from the trail above the falls.

Where to start

Silver Steps parking area, on the left of US 276 about a mile south of the old gated pull-off at the NC/SC line, when driving south from Brevard. It is a pay parking area. Do not park at the old gated pull-off.

Timing & water

Trails in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness close one hour before sunset.

Before you go

NC Waterfalls reports a pay parking area charging $3 per adult; check the current fee with Caesars Head State Park.

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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