HIGHLIGHTS: The hike to Yellow Branch Falls is a backtrack hike over moderate terrain that ends at a beautiful 50-foot vertical waterfall with many individual cascades. The hike begins at the picnic area off of SC 28 and follows a connector trail for 0.2 miles and then joins the Yellow Branch Falls Trail for 1.3 miles to the waterfall. On the route you pass through groves of dignified hardwood and meander across a number of streams. In the winter you can see the Town of Walhalla in the distance when the trees are bare. The National Forest Service recommends that you wear sturdy shoes and use extra caution during wet conditions on this hike as the trail skirts the edges of deep ravines.
The best option for camping near Yellow Branch Falls is at the Oconee State Park which is approximately 10 miles away and has 19 cabins, (that sleep four to eight people), 140 campsites, and 10 tent sites. Pets are not allowed in the cabins or in the cabin areas but are permitted in most of the outdoor areas. Check www.southcarolinaparks.com for current rates and restrictions. Pets must also be on a leash no longer than six feet in length. Additional recreational activities at the park include fishing, swimming, and boating in two small lakes.
