Station Cove Falls (aka Oconee Station Falls), South Carolina

“As long as I live, I’ll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I’ll interpret the rocks, learn the language of flood, storm, and the avalanche. I’ll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as near the heart of the world as I can.”

John Muir

We took our annual trip to the Georgia Mountains this past weekend in mid October. We decided to leave early on Friday and headed to Station Cove Falls in South Carolina since we had never seen those falls before. The nearest town to the falls is Walhalla, South Carolina. The drive was nice going through the South Carolina towns of Abbeville, Anderson, and through Seneca. The ride was only two and a half hours from Augusta and such a nice drive through back country roads and with no traffic. As we got closer and closer to the mountains, the air got cooler and crisper.

When we got to the trail head, we found a space to park on the street. We found out the ¾ of a mile trail is an easy hike to the falls and was mostly flat. As we started down the trail, we enjoyed the sun streaming down through the leaves of the tall beautiful hardwood forest. It was a nice clear day and cool outside which made a very comfortable walk through the woods. The birds were singing loudly and enjoying their day.

The walk through the green tunnel of trees was only a 30 minute hike to the falls. We met lots of lovely people on our way from all over. There was a couple who came from Boston and many other places throughout South Carolina and Georgia. All hikers were loving this tranquil hardwood cove.

We walked along the stream and loved looking at the variety of trees in this cove. There are American Beech, Buckeye, Basswood, and Oaks making a gorgeous canopy to walk under and enjoy. Looking up into the trees, you could see the color was starting to appear especially the reds were coming out. It looked as if a big storm had gone by part of the trail as there were some huge trees that were uprooted. But the path was totally clear as they take very good care of it.

When we got close to the falls, we had to cross over the mountain stream. They had steps made of rocks to get down to the creek and large flat rocks in the creek to use as stepping stones to cross to the other side. As we approached the falls, we could start to see it through the trees and can hear the water rushing off the rocks. Then it was there in front of us and it was magnificent. Water was spilling over the headwaters of on top of Station Mountain down some 80 feet. It was flowing pretty heavy from recent rains.

I am told if it hasn’t rained much the falls can get down to not more that a trickle. Or after a huge rain it is supposed to be amazing stunning with a heavy flow of the falls and creek. Either way, the land around this cove and the falls are gorgeous. Once you get there, take some time to enjoy this beauty. Many people brought their dogs with them on this trail and let them go for a swim.

We will have to come back in mid-March through April to see the wild flowers here. I read the wild flowers here bloom early and there is an amazing cover that is so thick you have to watch were you walk as to not step on them. They bloom early here because of the cove being protected.

If you are anywhere near here or just want to take a beautiful drive, go here. This is a joy and an easy walk to the falls for kids and adults. We saw older people walking this trail and doing it easily and well as young uns under five. If you do go, bring your camera. This is a beautiful waterfall to see.