lat=33.48694, lon=-79.54442(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE
SC
WATER
Black River
TYPE
River
DESCRIPTION
Water is completely black. Temperature is perfect
during the summer. Quiet and beautiful. There are several
public places to fish, picnic and swim.
AREAS
Unknown
SANCTION
Official
FEE
No
FACILITIES
Picnic_tables
ACTIVITIES
Swimming, Jumping, Tubing
PHONE
none
CAMPING
Unknown
BATHING SUITS
Optional
DIRECTIONS
South on RT 17 from Myrtle Beach about 45 mi to Sampit. Then northwest on RT 521 to Andrews. Then north on RT 41 & 513 to the bridge over the Black River. Once you cross the Black River bridge, then take first road to the right. Park at barricade and it is about a 0.5 mile hike to swimming hole. Walk down the road, bearing right on the road as it goes towards the river. Take second left dirt road along the river until you get to the swimming hole marked with a swinging rope out into the water.
CHARLESTON, WALTERBORO, ST. GEORGE, CANADYS, GROVER
STATE
SC
WATER
Edisto River
TYPE
River
DESCRIPTION
Several swimming places in the Edisto River near the I-95/I-26 interchange. See DIRECTIONS below for details. This is also a popular, pretty and easy canoeing section of the Edisto River, from Colleton S.P. downstream to Givhans Ferry S.P..
AREAS
Colleton S.P.
SANCTION
Unofficial
FEE
None
FACILITIES
All facilities at State Park.
ACTIVITIES
Swimming, canoeing
PHONE
Unknown
CAMPING
Colleton S. P. has nicely developed campsites along the Edisto River. I believe Givhans Ferry S.P. has camping also.
BATHING SUITS
Required at State Park, optional at Grover Blue Hole.
DIRECTIONS
From I-95, take Exit 68 (south of I-26, at Canadys) Then:
COLLETON S. P. [COLL]: A very lovely southern state park along the darkly tannic Edisto River. Depending on water level, there may be opportunity to swim in the river (unofficial) at the state park. PHOTO . There are alligators around here, so swim at midday and make lots of noise if you go swimming, they are said not to like noise. LAT, LON lat=33.06500, lon=-80.61681(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
Here is a report from a fan: "It does depend on how much water is in the river. If you go into the State Park, the water is actually deeper on the other side of the river (across from the park) Last time I was there 3 to 3.5 feet deep on that side. And water was kinda low since we were real short on rain as was the entire east coast. You can park alongside the road by the bridge that goes over the river there (RT 15) and walk to the far side. But I find it a lot safer to park in the State Park and walk across the river. PHOTO . I have been to better places but not around there. It is a great place to cool off, in that area. I grew up in New England so I am kinda spoiled. Another thing down here is Gators. It makes me much more careful where I might swim to cool off." To get here, after you get off I-95 at Exit 68, take RT 61 east and just follow signs to Colleton S. P.-it is very near I-95. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 1/15/2004.
GROVER BLUE HOLE [GROV]: A local swimming hole in the Edisto River, that has been turned into a private membership only area. But there is said to be a pull off with swimming place just down the dirt road. It has some sand, but access is pretty steep. Water drops off quickly and is black. PHOTO . To get here: After you get off I-95 at Exit 68, take RT 61 east past Colleton S. P. and turn north (left) on RT 15 toward Grover. In Grover, turn west (left) onto RT 19 (Wire Road) and pass over I-95. Go about 3 miles on this road past I-95 (it will become a dirt road) then turn left an a dirt road (maybe RT 695). Follow this road a short distance to the river, the swimming holes is here (there appears to be a side road to the river called "Blue Hole Rd., a sure sign of a swimming hole!). LAT, LON lat=33.1228, lon=-80.6778(source: measured by another) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 4/2011.
lat=34.59635, lon=-81.85430(source:measured) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE
SC
WATER
Cedar Shoals Creek
TYPE
Waterfall
DESCRIPTION
This is a quote from Allen Easler's South Carolina Waterfalls site - photos & info : "Horseshoe Falls (aka Gordons Mill Falls) are on Cedar Shoals Creek just northeast of where the creek joins the Enoree River. The 10-foot high falls have always been a popular picnic area and swimming hole for locals (read: party spot)." The water may not be deep enough to really swim here most times.
AREAS
Musgrove Mill Historic State Park Site (currently being developed)
SANCTION
Unofficial
FEE
None
FACILITIES
None
ACTIVITIES
Swimming, Jumping
PHONE
None
CAMPING
None at site
BATHING SUITS
Customary (very near road)
DIRECTIONS
"From Exit 52 of I-26 (south of Spartanburg), take RT 56 north toward Cross Anchor. Cross the Enoree River and go approximately one mile up the hill. Take a left onto Horseshoe Falls Road. Horseshoe Falls will be on the left immediately after crossing Cedar Shoals Creek on an old iron truss bridge. Park at the vehicle barricades on the left beside the bridge or on the left at the top of the hill." There is swimming at the bottom of the falls and also another swimming hole (also pretty shallow) accessible from the parking area that is up the hill on the left (where the park information sign is).
lat=34.20603, lon=-80.19642(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE
SC
WATER
Spring
TYPE
Artesian Spring
DESCRIPTION
An artesian spring (under natural pressure) spouts clear, cool water into a small 1-2 person pool (made by boy scouts) where you can definitely cool of on a hot day in South Carolina. Not big enough to swim.
AREAS
Lee State Natural Area
SANCTION
Official
FEE
None
FACILITIES
All facilities
ACTIVITIES
Cooling off
PHONE
803-428-5307
CAMPING
At site
BATHING SUITS
Required
DIRECTIONS
From Florence, take I-20 west to Exit 123 then take RT 22 north a short distance to the park. Drive on the loop road past the family camping area, past the equestrian area to the boy scout camping area. The artesian pool is at the Boy Scout camping area.
Several small falls and sliding rocks northwest of Greenville. For details, see DIRECTIONS below.
AREAS
Varies, see below
SANCTION
Unofficial
FEE
None
FACILITIES
Nearby State Parks have all facilities
ACTIVITIES
Swimming, wading, sliding, water play
PHONE
Unknown
CAMPING
AT Table Rock S.P.
BATHING SUITS
Customary
DIRECTIONS
From Greenville, go northwest on RT 276. Follow RT 276 through Marietta to where RT 11 joins with RT 276 (set odometer here) and through Cleveland, then proceeding west on RT 276/11 (Cherokee Scenic Hwy):
WILDCAT FALLS [WILD]: At the Wildcat Wayside State Park, the popular Wildcat Falls has only a shallow pool at the bottom ( PHOTO , PHOTO ) but if you go up the trail a bit (about .25 mile) above the falls there is a more swimmable pool plus a 130 foot waterslide on a sliding rock. ( PHOTO ) (May be very little water here after a dry summer.) This from a visitor: "Sometimes when I stop it's full of families using it just to take a half hour off from a long drive to cool off. Above the falls, on Wildcat Creek, is a sliding rock and swimming hole that apparently is quite popular with the college kids from upstate SC." LINK TO INFO AND PHOTOS. The lower falls are good for the whole family, the upper sliding rock and pool present some dangers (the slide is very high and you have to climb over huge boulders to get to it) and may not be suitable for children. To get here: Stay on RT 276/11 west for about 5 miles past where RT 11 joins RT 276 and look for a pull off (unsigned) on the right (north) side of the road, which is the Wildcat Wayside State Park. Wildcat Falls is right by the side of the road. To get to the sliding rock up the trail, go up the wooden stairway from the parking area and go right at the top and follow the trail across a bridge for about .25 miles. At the end of the trail, climb over large boulders to reach the bottom of the huge sliding rock. Pretty confident. Verified 9/2011. Updated 9/2011. LAT, LON lat=35.07394, lon=-82.59697(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
TABLE ROCK S. P. [TABL]: The park has many small waterfalls on Carrick Creek and Green Creek along the 1.9 mile Carrick Creek loop trail. Many of the falls are between 5 to 10 feet high with a small volume flow ( PHOTO ). One place very near the beginning of the trail has a pretty deep pool at the bottom ( PHOTO ). For more photos and more info, see this web site WEB SITE To get here: stay on RT 11 past where RT 276 goes north then follow signs to the State Park. Enter the park and follow the signs to the nature center. Park in the lot across from the nature center and cross the road. Fill out the hiker registration form. The Carrick Creek, Table Rock and Pinnacle Mountain trails all begin behind the nature center. Very confident. Verified 9/2011. Updated 9/2011. LAT, LON lat=35.0315, lon=-82.700(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
TWIN FALLS [TWIN]:Treat this place gently - absolutely no trash - it is a private preserve and we will loose access to it if it is abused. Beautiful falls Reedy Cove Creek with no pool at the bottom ( PHOTO ), but there is a huge, deep (even in late summer) swimming place ( PHOTO ) along the short path to the falls. To get here: Stay on RT 11 west, past Table Rock State Park and turn north (right) on RT 178. Go about 3.5 miles on RT 178 then turn west (left) onto Cleo Chapman Road (at Bob's Place Tavern) and go 2 miles to a "T" intersection then turn right onto Eastatoe Community Road. Go 1 mile, and turn right onto Waterfalls Road which soon turns to gravel. Stay on this road until it ends at a parking area. Hike down the old roadbed alongside the creek a short way (easy hike). The biggest swimming hole is visible from the trail between the wooden water wheel and the falls themselves. Very confident. Verified 9/2011. Updated 9/2011. LAT, LON lat=35.00899, lon=-82.82076(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
LONG SHOALS WAYSIDE PARK [LONG]:A cascade falls/sliding rock in Little Eastatoee Creek at a nice wayside park and picnic area in Poe Creek State Forest. This is a quote from Allen Easler's South Carolina Waterfalls site - photos & info : "Long Shoals are a popular spot for locals and tourists alike...slide down the rock into the cool waters on a warm summer day. Numerous organizations and community volunteers have transformed this old party spot into Long Shoals Wayside Park with parking, trails, picnic tables, bicycle rack, and a portajohn. From the upper parking lot, follow the "trail" signs down to the Long Shoals. Or, park in the lower lot and take the fishing access trail to an area downstream of the falls." This from a visitor in 2010:"Thought this place should be on your list, lots of fun for the kids to slide down and land in this pool, our 6 to 11 year old boys (5 in total) loved it." PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO , PHOTO . To get here: Comtinue on RT 11 west of Sliding Rock above and look for signs to Long Shoals Wayside Park. Very confident. Verified 9/2011. Updated 9/2011. LAT, LON lat=34.94822, lon=-82.85211 (source:map) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
lat=34.0973, lon=-82.3564(source:Topozone) (accuracy:exact) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE
SC
WATER
Lake
TYPE
Spring fed pond
DESCRIPTION
This is not really a swimming hole - it is a small lake - but it is such a specially nice for families and kids place we keep it listed. This is the first swimming place that Walden actually visited and swam in (at age 2 1/2) with his grandfather in April 2004. You can camp by a CCC developed swimming hole - a creek-fed pond with swimming. The 1.4-mile Parson's Mountain Hiking Trail is a perfect way to introduce children to the joys of hiking, ending at a fire tower after a moderate 400-foot climb though hardwoods, pine and dry ride scrub oaks.
AREAS
Sumter National Forest
SANCTION
Official
FEE
$3.00 to swim, $7.00 to camp.
FACILITIES
All facilites
ACTIVITIES
Swimming
PHONE
843-229-2406
CAMPING
Very nicely developed camping at site.
BATHING SUITS
Required
DIRECTIONS
From Augusta, go north on RT 28 toward Abbeville. About 2.1 miles BEFORE you get to Abbeville, see sign for Parsons Mountain Recreatin Area and turn east (right) on route SI-251, drive 1.5 miles to entrance on right.
Several swimming places in a portion of the Sumter N. F. in northwestern SC. For details, see DIRECTIONS below.
AREAS
Sumter N. F.
SANCTION
Unofficial
FEE
None
FACILITIES
None
ACTIVITIES
Swimming
PHONE
Unknown
CAMPING
Oconee State Park and Cherry Hill campground, both on RT 107 northeast of Walhalla. Also walk-in developed camping at Burrell Ford and primitive camping at Brasstown Falls.
BATHING SUITS
May be optional, depending on crowd.
DIRECTIONS
From I-85, Exit 1 (at the SC/GA border) go north on RT 11 to Oakway then turn northwest (left) on RT 76 to Westminster. Then:
CHAU-RAM FALLS [CHAU]: Good swimming holes at falls. This is a quote from Allen Easler's South Carolina Waterfalls site - photos & info : "Chau-Ram (short for Chauga River and Ramsey Creek) is a pleasant 30-foot cascade located on Ramsey Creek in Oconee's Chau-Ram County Park just a few minutes west of Westminister. It's an easy-to-visit falls with great views for a picnic. You can also take a short hike, including a walk across a suspension bridge, to explore several rapids on the Chauga River. The park also offers an excellent campground..." PHOTO . Directions: From Westminister, drive west on US 76 for three miles. Turn to left into Chau-Ram County Park." Very confident. Verified by another. Updated 4/2011.
LAT, LON lat=34.68200, lon=-83.14639(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
RILEY MOORE FALLS [RILE]: A primo swimming hole! Huge pool, sandy beach, gradual entry at the foot of a beautiful waterfall. PHOTO , PHOTO . Great swimming place for the whole family. An easy hike of about 1 mile each way. Camp nearby at Chau-Ram park (see above) and visit this great spot! This is a quote from Allen Easler's South Carolina Waterfalls site - photos & info : "Riley Moore Falls, at only 10 to 15 feet high, is rather short in comparison to most other falls in the mountains. Still, the facts that it occurs on the Chauga River (whitewater cousin of the Chattooga, one ridge west) and that is at least 50 feet wide make it special ..."
To get here: From Westminster, drive west on RT 76 for 7.5 miles and turn right onto Cobb Bridge Road (NOTE: This is the SECOND right turn named Cobb Bridge Road, not the first turn at the church just past Chau-Ram County Park on the left). Drive 1.5 miles on Cobb Bridge Road and turn left onto gravel Spy Rock Road (FS 748). Drive 1.7 miles to FS 748C (may be hard to spot on the right - there is the letter "C" painted on a tree - if you reach FS 748B, you have gone too far). Park on the side of the road and hike down FS 748C. (If you have a high clearance, 4WD, you can drive some distance down 748C.) Keep to the right at the fork and you will come to a metal jeep barricade. Turn left at the barricade onto a smaller trail and follow it to the river.
Very confident. Verified 2/04. Updated 2/04.
LAT, LON lat=34.74575, lon=-83.18322(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
BRASSTOWN FALLS [BRAS]: Spectacular falls with 3 level falls in Brasstown Creek with multiple pools for swimming (shallow - more for wading and water play). Somewhat more difficult to get to lower levels. There is a very nice walk-in primitive camping here at the top of the falls, a short walk in from the parking area. PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2 , PHOTO 3 .
LAT, LON lat=34.72033, lon=-83.29847(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
To get here: From Westminster, go northwest on RT 76 for 12 miles then turn left on Brasstown Rd./RT 48 - easy to miss, look closely for it. Drive 4.2 miles on this partially dirt road and turn right on route FS 751 just before you get to a small bridge. Drive .5 miles on FS 751 then park at the barricade. Hike on the path past the barricade along the power lines into the woods a short distance to a primitive camping area near the top of the falls. Turn right here and follow the trail downstream along side of the falls. It is a steep trail to the bottom of the falls, but it is safe and can readily be done. There are a total of four falls, but the bottom one, also known as sluice box, is treacherous to get to and swimming is not recommended here. Swim only in the upper level, calm pools at the bottom of the falls. Very confident. Verified 7/2003. Updated 7/18/2003.
From Westminster, follow RT 183 northeast to Walhalla, then:
BLUE HOLE FALLS [BLUE]: A two level falls (upper and lower) in Cedar Creek, with swimmable pools at bottom of both. Somewhat more difficult to get to the bottom of the lower falls.
LAT, LON lat=34.77119, lon=-83.18606(source: DeLorme ) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
To get here: In Walhalla, go west on RT 28 about 6.6 miles to (just past the Stumphouse Ranger Station) then turn left onto Whetstone Rd. (RT 193). Drive about .75 mi further then go left on RT 290 (Cassidy Bridge Rd.) Drive about .9 miles further and turn left onto Forest Service RT 744 - don't go as far as the Rifle Range (this is Rich Mountain Rd. but there is no sign, just a small post that says 744 vertically on it.) Drive about 3.3 miles and turn right on FR 744C (Cedar Creek Rd.) Drive about 2.5 mi to FR 2658 (where there is a barrier and earth mound that blocks access) and park. Hike .3 miles down FR 2658 to where there are 2 big rocks blocking the road to the right (paint on rocks says "Open The Trail"). Go right and hike down this road to where it ends. Then:
To get to the pool at the bottom of the LOWER falls (more difficult), you must cross the creek above the upper falls then go downstream on the other side of the creek. PHOTO OF LOWER FALLS . To do this, just 100 feet before the road ends, take the short steep path on the left down to the creek. You will be just upstream of above the upper falls. Here you must cross the creek (if it is shallow enough and if there is little current) then make your way downstream to the waterfall on the other side of the creek on a faint path. Swim in the pool at he bottom of the lower falls. Pretty confident. Partially verified 7/2003. Updated 7/18/2003.
To get to the pool at the bottom of the UPPER falls (easier), go back up the road PAST the trail mentioned above to another trail that goes down to the creek. Follow this trail a short distance and when it ends find your way down to the creek then back upstream to the pool at the bottom of the upper falls. Here there is another swimming hole. PHOTO OF UPPER FALLS . Here's a WEB SITE that has more information. Very confident. Verified 7/2003. Updated 7/18/2003.
LICKLOG FALLS/PIGPEN FALLS [LICK]: Two waterfalls on Licklog Creek with pools below. About a 30-minute hike on a section of the Chattooga Trail. To get here: From Walhalla , drive northwest on S.C. 28 for 8.4 miles (past turnoff for Blue Hole Falls, above), and bear right onto RT 107. Go about 5 miles on RT 107 (past the entrance to Oconee State Park) and turn left onto Village Creek Road. Go 1.7 miles on Village Creek Road and turn right onto Nicholson Ford Road (gravel). Go about 2 miles to a parking area on the right. Park and access the Foothills Trail in a corner of the parking lot. Hike west on the Foothills Trail (follow white blazes) for .5 mile and turn left onto the Chattooga Trail (black blazes). Go .2 miles to Pigpen Falls, which has a small pool at the bottom. To continue on to Licklog, cross the footbridge and go .2 miles on the Chattooga Trail. The first level of Licklog Falls is on the right side of the trail. Licklog has a large pool with a sandy area. LAT, LON lat=34.92883, lon=-83.12975(source: DeLorme ) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 3/18/2007
BURRELL FORD [BURR]: Several swimming places in the Chatooga River in the Burrell Ford area, one near a bridge and another at the Burrell Ford Campground. To get here: Continue northeast on RT 107 from the Licklog Falls turnoff (above), past the Cherry Hill Campground and turn left on Burrell Ford Rd. (well signed). Drive down this road to the Burrell Ford Campground and park (this is a walk in campgound, about a .25 mile walk). Walk down to the campground which is on the Chatooga River - there are swimming places here. PHOTO AT CAMPGROUND. To get to the other swimming place, continue down Burrell Ford Rd. a short distance and cross the bridge over the Chatooga river. PHOTO 1 AT BRIDGE , PHOTO 2 AT BRIDGE . Park on the left and walk to the river. The swiming place is here. Very confident. Verified 7/2003. Updated 7/18/2003.LAT, LON lat=34.973, lon=-83.114(source: measured ) (accuracy: general area) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
A Family-Friendly 
