Raven Cliff Falls SC: An Epic Hike to a Spectacular Waterfall, SC

At the end of June 2021, we headed to Caesars Head State Park in Upstate South Carolina to hike to Raven Cliff Falls, one of the region’s most spectacular waterfalls. Dropping approximately 420 feet into the gorge, Raven Cliff Falls is an impressive sight and well worth the effort required to reach it.

We started by stopping at the overlook to admire the waterfall from a distance. From there, we could see the falls cascading down the rugged cliffs. If you look closely at the long-distance waterfall photo, you can spot the suspension bridge as a thin horizontal line near the top center of the image. The bridge sits at the top of the falls and provides a completely different perspective.

We continued along Raven Cliff Falls Trail (#11) and Gum Gap Trail (#13) to reach the suspension bridge before retracing our steps. The round trip was approximately 8 miles, making this a fairly substantial hike. Along the way, we enjoyed beautiful forest scenery, wild azaleas, and other wildflowers blooming throughout the trail.

Although we skipped the more difficult Dismal Trail, I was definitely tired by the time we returned to the car. Still, the effort was worth it. Seeing Raven Cliff Falls from the overlook and then hiking to the suspension bridge gave us two completely different perspectives of this magnificent waterfall.

Raven Cliff Falls is a challenging but rewarding hike, and seeing the waterfall from both the overlook and suspension bridge made the experience unforgettable. The wildflowers and beautiful forest scenery were an added bonus.

If You Go

Location: Caesars Head State Park, Upstate South Carolina
Waterfall: Raven Cliff Falls drops approximately 420 feet into the gorge.
Distance: About 8 miles round trip to the suspension bridge and back using Raven Cliff Falls Trail and Gum Gap Trail.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous because of the distance and elevation changes.
Highlights: Waterfall overlook, suspension bridge, forest scenery, wild azaleas, and summer wildflowers.
What to bring: Plenty of water, snacks, sturdy hiking shoes, and trekking poles if you use them.
Best time: Late spring and summer offer opportunities to see wildflowers, while fall brings colorful foliage.
Tip: Stop at the overlook before beginning the hike. It provides a great perspective of the entire waterfall and helps you appreciate just how dramatic the gorge is.
Allow: Several hours for the full hike to the suspension bridge and return.