Virginia Hawkins Falls

Pickens County, South Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Pickens County, South Carolina
Access status: Preserve trail route and trailhead documented; very limited parking
The walk: About 3 miles round trip, per NC Waterfalls
Ground & access: Old logging road with small stream crossings that may wet your feet in high water, then steps to the viewing area. The return climbs.

NC Waterfalls: Virginia Hawkins Falls (Double Falls)

Virginia Hawkins Falls, formerly called Double Falls, is a 60-foot cascading waterfall in Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve, right off the Foothills Trail. From Laurel Gap, start behind the sign with the map. The trail descends a short way to a closed logging road; turn right and follow it down and around for a little over a mile to Laurel Fork Creek, with several small stream crossings. Just before the creek, follow the sign on the right toward the trail and primitive campsites, cross the bridge over Laurel Fork Creek, and go a very short distance up the Foothills Trail to the falls. Steps lead down to a viewing area. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Laurel Gap trailhead on Horsepasture Road, closed logging road down to Laurel Fork Creek, across the bridge and a short way on the Foothills Trail to Virginia Hawkins Falls

NC Waterfalls describes an easy to moderate 3 mile round trip from Laurel Gap. It also gives a 10 mile round trip option from the Foothills Trail parking near US 178.

Old logging road with small stream crossings that may wet your feet in high water, then steps to the viewing area. The return climbs.

Where to start

From US 178, turn onto gravel Horsepasture Road (about 8 miles north of SC 11) and drive about 3.6 miles to Laurel Gap. Parking at the trailhead is very limited; a wide area on the left just before a steep, narrow uphill section can be used if the trailhead spaces are taken.

Timing & water

Best after heavy rain; flow can be weak in dry periods.

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

Pickens County, South Carolina.

Open location map