Hidden Paradise Falls

Photo taken on 7/2/2018 by Christopher Cockfield.

Height: 36 feet
Type: Cascading staircase
Stream: Tributary of Long Creek
River Basin: Savannah River
Watershed: Very Small
Elevation: 1,454 feet
Landowner: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Forest/Park: Sumter National Forest, Andrew Pickens Ranger District
State: South Carolina
County: Oconee
USGS Map: Rainy Mountain
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Accessibility: Logging road & bushwhack
Trail Blaze: None
Admission Fee: None
Hike Length: 2.1 miles
Waterfall GPS: 34.77786 -83.28917
Parking GPS: 34.76769 -83.29242

Overview

Hidden Paradise Falls is a beautiful find of mine that is well hidden by the steep terrain and rhododendron.

Driving Directions

From Westminster, South Carolina. From the intersection of US-123, head north on US-76 for 12.9 miles and turn left onto Damascus Church Road. Drive 0.8 miles and turn right onto Battlecreek Road. Drive 1.4 miles and park on the right side of the road, just pass a mounded up dirt road on the right side of the road.

From Clayton, Georgia. From the intersection of US-441, head east on US-76 for 10.7 miles and turn right onto Orchard Road. Drive 2.4 miles and turn right onto Battlecreek Road. Drive 1 mile and park on the right side of the road, just pass a mounded up dirt road on the right side of the road.

Hiking Directions

From the parking. Walk back to the mounded up dirt road and follow it for 0.53 miles to where the big dirt road ends. (You'll pass by 3 smaller dirt roads.) Head northwest for 260+ feet to the top of the hill (34.77580 -83.29186) and then head northeast, following a faint logging road for 600+ feet to where it dead ends. (34.77710 -83.29046) Then head north for 260+ feet to the wood line and follow the ridge down for 300+ feet. Head east for 170+ feet to a creek, cross over and head upstream for 200+ feet to another smaller creek crossing. Once across continue following the bigger creek upstream to the falls.

The road leading back is grown up in the warmer months.