Kings Creek Falls in March 2017

This time eight years ago, I was visiting waterfalls in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and I decided it was time to go back. I wanted to find a few more waterfalls in South Carolina, but didn’t want to have to go on crazy drives to find falls. (I had already visited many of the easy-to-find ones.) After searching it seemed I could hit two waterfalls at once, Kings Creek Falls and Spoonauger Falls, without a difficult journey or hike. That search turned out to be correct.

I tend to avoid narrow dirt roads, especially when in a rental car. The road to the trail heads, while gravel, is very wide and well kept. I had no fears while driving down the road. I arrived at a parking area for a campground, and was a bit confused about where to start the journey to Kings Creek Falls. Let’s just say I ended up at Spoonauger Falls first, though that did help me get my bearings.

To get to Kings Creek Falls, that large parking area to your left is the starting point. There is an information “kiosk”/board that shows a map of the area with trails, but it doesn’t clearly state you’re at the Kings Creek Falls trail head. But you are…So go past the kiosk, and about 100 feet in or so, there will be a sign that says you’re headed to Kings Creek Falls. I think the sign said it’s 1 mile, but it’s less than that. The hike to the falls is surprisingly easy, with a few areas where tree roots do create a bit of a tripping hazard. You’ll cross a bridge over Kings Creek, and then you’ll continue upstream (veer a bit left).

Kings Creek Falls is a truly beautiful waterfall. At approximately 60′ tall, it’s impressive. For early spring, there should probably be a bit more water flowing over the falls, but as of Spring 2017, there is a “severe drought” right in the waterfall region of NC, SC, & GA. It did rain just the day before I visited, which meant there was some additional water flowing. Even then, the hike’s very enjoyable, relatively uncomplicated, and you end up at a beautiful waterfall. Choose the right day, and you’ll likely be one of only a few people to visit the falls. I had the falls all to myself!

Directions:

1. Drive along SC-107 (in between the North Carolina border and Oconee State Park).
2. Find Burrells Ford Road. If heading south along SC-107, it will be on your right. Turn onto Burrells Ford Road.
3. Drive for about 2.5 miles along the road to a parking area on your left. It’s mostly gravel, but it’s well kept.
4. Park and look for the kiosk near the front of the parking area. The trail to the falls starts right after the kiosk.

(On the return hike, there is one confusing point, after crossing over Kings Creek Falls, there will be two trails, one that goes left and follows the creek. Don’t follow this, but instead follow the other trail that goes slightly uphill (which will still be to your left just a bit)).

Accessibility: 7/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 60′
Length of Hike: 1.4 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Kings Creek Falls?