Beautiful Ashmore Preserve Hike: Waterfalls and Wild Beauty on Oil Camp Creek Trail in Upstate SC

On July 2, 2020, I drove 2½ hours to meet Lesli, Nancy, and Shari on Persimmon Ridge Road in Cleveland, South Carolina, for a hike to Ashmore Preserve. It was a beautiful day in the Upstate, and I was excited to explore a trail that would take me well outside my usual comfort zone.

We hiked approximately 5.7 miles on a trail that gradually climbed through the lush terrain of the South Carolina Upstate. Since I usually hike relatively flat trails around the Midlands, the steady uphill sections definitely pushed me. My companions were much more accustomed to this type of terrain, so I had to work to keep up with them! Despite the challenge, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and was proud to keep moving forward.

One of the things I loved most about this hike was the scenery. The trail follows Oil Camp Creek, so we had the soothing sound of running water accompanying us for much of the hike. There is something especially enjoyable about hiking alongside a creek, particularly when the trail winds through a lush forest.

We also passed two beautiful waterfalls, which provided welcome rewards along the route. The combination of flowing water, dense greenery, and mountain terrain made this hike feel very different from the flatter trails I was accustomed to exploring closer to home.

Another highlight was the variety of mushrooms we discovered along the trail. As you can see from the photographs, there were plenty of interesting shapes, textures, and colors scattered throughout the forest. I always enjoy finding unexpected details like these while hiking, and the mushrooms added another layer of interest to an already scenic trail.

The hike was considered moderate, with approximately 1,641 feet of elevation gain over the 5.7-mile route. While the steady climb made it challenging for me, the beautiful surroundings and waterfalls made the effort worthwhile.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day in the Upstate and was grateful to have the opportunity to hike with Lesli, Nancy, and Shari. A special thank-you goes to Lesli for letting me tag along with the group—and, of course, for bringing Bella, her adorable little dog! Hiking with good friends, discovering waterfalls, and spending the day surrounded by nature made this a memorable adventure.

If You Go

Location: Cleveland, South Carolina, near Persimmon Ridge Road
Distance: Approximately 5.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: Approximately 1,641 feet
Highlights: Oil Camp Creek, two waterfalls, lush forest, mushrooms, and Upstate mountain scenery
What to expect: A steady uphill climb through varied, wooded terrain
What to bring: Plenty of water, sturdy hiking shoes, and trekking poles if you prefer additional support on uphill or uneven sections.
Photography tip: Keep your eyes on the forest floor as well as the scenery. The mushrooms, creek, waterfalls, and surrounding vegetation offer plenty of photographic opportunities.
Tip: The trail can be more challenging than the mileage suggests because of the elevation gain, so allow plenty of time and pace yourself.