Oconee Station Waterfall
Sumter National Forest

SC Escarpment Falls near Oconee Station

Station Falls

The hike to the falls is very rewarding.  The hike is relatively level except for a short descent at the beginning (and ascent on the return).  The trail is well graded.  This is an ideal destination for all ages.

A more challenging optional side trail is also described here which ascends the Blue Ridge escarpment.

The trail head is located north of Walhalla SC.  Take SC 11 approximately 5 miles north of the intersection of SC 28 and SC 11 near Walhalla, SC.  Take a left onto Oconee Station road.  The trail head parking area is approximately 1.5 miles on the left ( Approximate GPS Coordinates 34º50'55.88"N  83º04'27.80"W ).  An alternative parking area is available at the fee based Oconee Station State Historical Park located on Oconee Station Road just before the trail head.  Parking in this lot lengthens the hike.

From the parking lot along Oconee Station Road, the trail enters the woods along an old dirt surfaced road.  In approximately 100 feet, the trail turns to the left (South) becoming a footpath. It departs the old woods road which was the former trail location that had become eroded and is now blocked by large logs to encourage use of the newer footpath.

The rerouted footpath follows a semicircular route that by-passes the older trail. It rejoins the original path at 0.25 miles just prior to a small wooden foot bridge.  Cross the footbridge and continue along the old woods road.  To the left is a swampy wetland area. At approximately 0.4 miles, the trail crosses a second wood bridge, and at 0.5 miles it crosses a third bridge.  At 0.6 miles there is a fourth footbridge.  Within a short distance, the Station Falls Trail continues straight through a wooden gate built to encourage only foot traffic.  The Mountains to Sea trail (yellow blazes) veers to the right and is described below.  Continuing left through the gate along the trail to the falls, a low swampy area is crossed within a short distance.  At 0.7 miles the trail narrows pinching between the creek and a ridge on the right.  The trail veers to the right up a small valley (cove) and traverses the side of this ridge.  A short distance later the trail turns left descending down stone steps and crosses Station Creek. The crossing is typically wet and slippery so use caution.  Continuing along the left bank of the creek, the trail dead ends at the bottom of the falls at approximately 0.8 miles.

 
Swampy Wetlands Area

For a steeper and more challenging hike take a right at the gate along the yellow blazed Mountain to Sea trail.  This trail is not terribly exciting but does offer more of a workout and passes two small waterfalls.  The trail begins ascending and at 0.1 miles from the gate, a winter view of a waterfall can be seen across the small valley to the right.  The trail then turns to the left and at 0.2 miles there is a sign indicating "3 Miles".  Shortly afterward is a small trickle waterfall to the right.   The trail continues to traverse the hillside, then switchbacks to the right crossing the same creek above the trickle waterfall at 0.3 miles.  The trail shortly switches back again, this time to the left, for a third crossing of the "trickle" at 0.4 miles (typically dry).  At 0.45 miles the trail passes another sign indicating "1 mile" and shortly there is a limited winter view out across the fairly level piedmont toward the left (south-east). A short distance later, the trail turns to the right and traverses the hillside above the Station Falls valley or "cove". The falls are not visible but if conditions are calm, the falls can be heard down to the left. The trail continues to climb and at 0.85 miles from the gate it reaches a small topographic saddle.  Here there is a limited winter view of Tamassee Knob toward the north (straight).  To the right is the former Station Mountain Road which is not a maintained trail and leads to private property (large X in picture below).  To the left, the Mountains-To-Sea Trail continues toward Oconee State Park which is not described here further.  Return to the trail head by retracing your steps (large dotted arrow on picture below).

 L to R: Trail Head; "3 Mile" sign; Trickle Waterfall; Mtn to Sea Trail Saddle-return path to right 

Other hikes and bike rides in or near Station Falls and Walhalla SC:

• Stumphouse Tunnel Park - Issaqueena Falls - easy waterfall walk and RR tunnel
• Yellowbranch Falls - moderate 3 mile loop near Walhalla SC
• Chau-Ram Park - easy walks in this scenic and well maintained park