Whitewater Falls consist of an upper and lower section and is the highest series of falls in eastern North America. It is one of the most visited and photographed falls in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Lower Falls is located 0.5 mile down the Whitewater River from the Upper Falls (which is in North Carolina). The Lower Falls is a dramatic 200-foot drop, which can best be viewed from an observation platform at the end of a 1.9 mile trail. By the time Whitewater River charges into Lake Jocassee, it has plummeted more than 700 feet in just over half a mile.
GPS Waypoints Lat: 35.0161 Lon: -82.9929
DIRECTIONS:
1. From Walhalla, drive NORTH on SC 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway) for 14 miles and turn LEFT onto SC 130.
2. Drive NORTH on SC 130 for 10.5 miles and turn RIGHT (east) at the entrance to Duke Power's Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station. 3. Pass through the automatic gate. (Entrance onto the property is allowed only during daylight hours. Exiting through this gate is allowed at all hours.) 4. Drive approximately 2 miles to the parking area for the Foothills Trail/Whitewater River and PARK. (This is a lighted parking lot with a public telephone and portable toilets.) 5. From the trailhead at the far end of the parking area follow the blue blazes of the Lower Whitewater Falls overlook spur. At 0.6 mile the spur will cross over the Whitewater River. 6. Turn RIGHT (northeast). At this point the trail is joined with the Jocassee Gorges Segment of the Foothills Trail bound for Laurel Valley. (The Foothills Trail is marked with white blazes.) 7. When the trail intersects a gravel road, follow the gravel road briefly (about 200 yards) and then resume your hike on the trail. A blue blaze and an arrow sign on the right point the way. 8. Continue to the overlook.
2. Drive NORTH on SC 130 for 10.5 miles and turn RIGHT (east) at the entrance to Duke Power's Bad Creek Hydroelectric Station. 3. Pass through the automatic gate. (Entrance onto the property is allowed only during daylight hours. Exiting through this gate is allowed at all hours.) 4. Drive approximately 2 miles to the parking area for the Foothills Trail/Whitewater River and PARK. (This is a lighted parking lot with a public telephone and portable toilets.) 5. From the trailhead at the far end of the parking area follow the blue blazes of the Lower Whitewater Falls overlook spur. At 0.6 mile the spur will cross over the Whitewater River. 6. Turn RIGHT (northeast). At this point the trail is joined with the Jocassee Gorges Segment of the Foothills Trail bound for Laurel Valley. (The Foothills Trail is marked with white blazes.) 7. When the trail intersects a gravel road, follow the gravel road briefly (about 200 yards) and then resume your hike on the trail. A blue blaze and an arrow sign on the right point the way. 8. Continue to the overlook.
As we just provide information, if you have a question regarding a particular trail, it is best to contact the source listed. We encourage good stewardship of our natural resources. Be prepared for your outing and Leave No Trace of your visit. For more hiking and waterfall trips, check out the publications of Milestone Press.
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The information on this website is used entirely at the reader's discretion, and is made available on the expressed condition that no liability, expressed or implied, is accepted by Discover Upcountry Carolina Association or any of its associates, employees or affiliates for the accuracy, content or use thereof. Links to other websites from this website do not imply endorsement by Discover Upcountry Carolina Association.
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