Wildcat Branch Falls along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway

One of the Palmetto State’s most easily accessible yet stunning waterfalls is along South Carolina’s Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway, or Highway 11, in northern Greenville County. 

Wildcat Branch Falls is a picturesque cascade between Caesar’s Head and Jones Gap State Park. It’s a part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, making it a great stop for anyone exploring the Blue Ridge foothills.

We visited the falls on a road trip through South Carolina in autumn. The leaves were just starting to change. Unfortunately, we stopped during the middle of a recent dry spell, so there was not a ton of water flowing. 

The waterfall consists of three distinct tiers, with the lower falls—a beautiful 30-foot cascade—visible directly from the roadside. A short hike with a little bit of elevation gain leads to the upper falls, a more than 100-foot waterfall. The hike is less than a mile roundtrip and is a great place to stop and stretch your legs. 

The area features a small picnic spot, so if you don’t feel like hiking to the upper falls, you can still enjoy a picnic by a waterfall.  Wildcat Branch Falls is an excellent stop in South Carolina’s Upstate region. I know I certainly enjoyed it.