5 best waterfalls in the Upstate: See the tallest, falls with short hikes, more

When walking through downtown Greenville, a stop at the Reedy River Falls is a must, especially during the summertime. Liberty Bridge passersby can catch a glimpse of the waterfall in all its splendor, the city's buildings a backdrop to its beauty.

Although there is plenty to see and do in terms of dining and shopping in the area, there aren't many beaches within a short driving distance to cool off at. The National Weather Service has forecast last week's heat wave to continue into the week of June 17, with temperatures reaching the 90s.

The good news is there are over 100 waterfalls in South Carolina to dip your toes into while waiting to vacation in Charleston or Myrtle Beach. Here are a few you can visit right here in the Upstate.

Hidden Falls, Oconee State Park

Yellow blazes on the trees at Foothills Trail will guide you to Hidden Falls, the sounds of the Tamassee Creek following behind as you travel the hillside. Best viewed after a rain, Hidden Falls flows over a series of granite ledges, dropping at 60 feet. Let your feet dangle over the creek as you sit along the rock benches surrounded by ferns, galax, and rhododendron.

Issaqueena Falls, Stumphouse Tunnel Park

Beginner hikers will appreciate the easy 15-minute excursion to Issaqueena Falls, beginning from the Stumphouse Tunnel parking area ($5 entry fee per vehicle). The waterfall is among Oconee County's most popular destinations including a 100-foot cascade. Upstate folklore involving a Native American woman named Issaqueena is often spoken about in the area.

In the story, Issaqueen falls in love with a white settler. After learning about her tribe's planned attack on the white settlement, Issaqueena sets out on horseback to warn the settlers, according to Upcountry Historical. After learning of Issaqueena's betrayal, the tribe hunts her down all the way to Issaqueena Falls, where she plunges to her fake death (legend has it she hid on a ledge under the falls). Although there is no evidence of the story being a true one, it continues to be shared to this day.

Rainbow Falls, Jones Gap State Park

Reaching this waterfall is quite the hike and will take you on a 5-mile round trip. Per South Carolina Trails, Rainbow Falls drops 100 feet over a granite cliff covered in layers of amphibolite gneiss, granite gneiss, and mica schist. Its boulders are surrounded by azalea, meadow rue, and Solomon's plume come springtime. The waterfall is located on YMCA Camp Greenville property and can be accessed by following the Rainbow Falls Trail with red blazes on it.

Raven Cliff Falls, Caesars Head State Park

Raven Cliff Falls may only be a 2-mile hike, but what awaits travelers when they arrive to their destination may surprise them. The waterfall, located on Matthews Creek in Caesars Head State Park, is the tallest in S.C., with a height around 320-350 feet, according to topographic maps. Per South Carolina Trails, the waterfall was named after the ravens that breed in the cliffs forming the falls, and over 180 bird species have been identified in the region.

Twin Falls, Reedy Cove Creek

Twin Falls goes by a few different names in S.C., like Eastatoe Falls, Reedy Cove Falls, and Rock Falls. The twin waterfall is a result from Eastatoe Creek splitting upstream, according to World of Waterfalls. The left waterfall goes over and down a 75-foot wall of rock while the right has a vertical drop at the top, gushing down around 45 degrees until almost at the bottom. If you are not into hiking but want to take in the view, you will be glad to know the trek is an easy one at 1/4 of a mile. After a heavy rain, a third waterfall may be seen to the right of the falls.

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: 5 best waterfalls in Upstate SC: Short hikes, tallest