Beech Bottom Falls: A Stunning South Carolina Fall Adventure, SC

My friend Laura and I drove to Beech Bottom Falls in Sunset, South Carolina, on Sunday, November 14, 2021. We arrived during peak fall foliage, and the waterfall was surrounded by brilliant autumn colors. The carpet of fallen leaves only added to the beauty of the landscape.

We explored both trails—the newer trail leading to the overlook and the older, unmaintained trail descending to the base of the waterfall. Both trails were beautiful but had a few tricky sections where hiking poles were extremely helpful.

The new trail is about 1.7 miles round trip with 307 feet of elevation gain. It leads to a newer overlook offering a beautiful long-distance view of Beech Bottom Waterfall. Along the way, we crossed two gorgeous wooden bridges, and I loved their design.

The old trail is more challenging, covering approximately 2.2 miles round trip with 488 feet of elevation gain. Some sections have been washed out by erosion, but we found the trail passable with careful footing. To reach it, continue along the service road and turn left after crossing the first water crossing and scrambling over the rocks. The turn isn’t marked, so it can be easy to miss. Once we found the trail, it was relatively easy to follow until reaching the bottom of the falls.

The base of Beech Bottom Waterfall provided an impressive close-up view. After hiking through the colorful forest and navigating the rougher sections of trail, standing at the bottom of the falls was well worth the effort.

A Helpful Encounter on the Trail

I also want to mention Shannon and Bob, a lovely couple we met on the new trail. During our hike, I accidentally dropped my hiking pole below the new overlook. I was incredibly grateful when Bob immediately offered to retrieve it for me.

He was a lifesaver! Both trails have uneven and tricky sections, and I found my hiking pole especially useful. Make sure to bring hiking poles when visiting Beech Bottom Waterfall.

Beech Bottom Waterfall was beautiful from both the overlook and the base. The vibrant fall foliage, scenic bridges, and rugged trails made this a memorable South Carolina waterfall adventure that I would gladly hike again during another beautiful season.

If You Go

Location: Near Rocky Bottom, South Carolina
New trail: Approximately 1.7 miles round trip with 307 feet of elevation gain.
Old trail: Approximately 2.2 miles round trip with 488 feet of elevation gain.
New trail: Leads to a scenic overlook with a long-distance view of the waterfall.
Old trail: Continues to the base of the waterfall for a spectacular close-up view.
Difficulty: The old trail is more challenging because of erosion and washed-out sections.
Hiking poles: Highly recommended on both trails.
Navigation: The turn onto the old trail is unmarked and easy to miss, so bring a reliable trail map or GPS.
Bridges: Look for the two beautiful wooden bridges along the newer trail.
Best time to visit: Fall is especially beautiful when the surrounding forest is covered in vibrant autumn colors.
Safety: Be careful around water crossings, slippery rocks, and eroded sections, particularly after rain.