Chattooga River (to Opossum Creek Falls)
Sumter National Forest
Andrew Pickens Ranger District
112 Andrew Pickens Circle
Mountain Rest, South Carolina 29664
(864) 638-9568
The Chattooga River begins in the mountains of North Carolina as small rivulets, nourished by springs and abundant rainfall, high on the slopes of the Appalachian Mountains. The water drops a half mile in elevation over fifty miles as it winds its way to Lake Tugaloo where the river ends between South Carolina and Georgia. The Chattooga is one of the few remaining free-flowing streams in the Southeast, and the setting is primitive with dense forests and undeveloped shorelines on most of its route. The Chattooga River Trail is a forty mile route that borders the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia and follows the banks of the Chattooga National Wild And Scenic River from Burrell’s Ford to US 76. Congress designated the river on May 10, 1974 and it is often used by kayakers, hikers, backpackers, and fisherman as it winds from the North Carolina mountains to Lake Tugaloo. The Chattooga River Trail shares its pathway with both the Foothills and Bartram Trails in the Russell Bridge area, but it stays close to the river for its entire distance unlike the other major southeastern trails.
This hike to the Chattooga River starts at FS 755 and drops about two miles over 500 feet to an area around Five Falls – where multiple class five rapids roar through the gorge. Both kayakers and rafters will likely float by once you reach the river as this area has some of the best whitewater in the Southeast. No camping is allowed on the beach sites in this area, so you’ll have to head back in to the woods and find a flat area for overnight camping if you plan to spend the night.
- click to see a video where Roger Cracks His Head Ouch!!!, and Our Campfire Preparations
- click for BirdShooter On Sleeping Pads, and BirdShooter On Sleeping Bags & Liners
- click to see trail photos from this hike along the Chattooga River: September 17, 2011 (password required)
- click to view a trip report of this hike near Fishtrap Branch: September 17, 2011 (password required)
- click for a topographical map of this section of the Chattooga River
- click to an area map and a trail map of this hike to the Chattooga River (password required)
- click for a topographical and profile map to this area below Five Falls (password required)
- click for another hike to this area in November 2012 and in June 2016
- click for an article on Opossum Creek Falls which includes directions to the trailhead (password required) (password required)
- click for more information on this hike to the bottom of Five Falls (password required) (password required)
- click for more stats and directions to this area (password required)
- click for The Chattooga National Wild And Scenic River guidebook which has hiking details on this destination
- click for other Georgia hiking and backpacking books
- click for other hikes to the Chattooga River in both Georgia & South Carolina