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Spoonauger Falls

📍 Mountain Rest, SC🥾 0.5 mi round trip · easy🎟 No day-use fee documented for this trailhead (not listed among Sumter National Forest's designated fee areas)

A 50-foot waterfall in Sumter National Forest with an easy 0.5-mile hike and no day-use fee.

DirectionsOfficial site

Getting there

easy0.5 mi round trip50 ftDog-friendly

No day-use fee documented for this trailhead (not listed among Sumter National Forest's designated fee areas)

Conditions

Loading current conditions…

Flow / best time to visit (official)

Open all year per USFS description; especially picturesque in summer when foliage is full.

Our take

Spoonauger Falls is a 50-foot waterfall in Sumter National Forest near Mountain Rest. The hike to reach it is only 0.5 miles round-trip and is rated easy, making it one of the most accessible waterfall walks in South Carolina.

The U.S. Forest Service notes that the falls are especially picturesque in summer when the surrounding foliage is full, so plan a summer visit if you want the best scenic experience. There is no day-use fee for this trailhead, making it a budget-friendly option. Dogs are welcome on the trail, and the waterfall is part of the Chattooga watershed.

The short distance and easy terrain make this an excellent choice for families with young children or for anyone looking for a quick waterfall visit without extensive hiking. Year-round access means you can visit in any season, though spring runoff and summer foliage each offer their own appeal.

Planning your visit

Best time to go

Year-round; especially picturesque in summer when foliage is full.

Who it suits

Good for

  • easy walks
  • dogs
  • no-fee hiking

Common questions

Is there a fee to visit Spoonauger Falls?

No day-use fee documented for this trailhead (not listed among Sumter National Forest's designated fee areas)

How do I get to Spoonauger Falls?

Via a 0.5-mile round-trip trail rated easy by the managing agency.

Can I bring my dog to Spoonauger Falls?

Yes, per the managing agency's own page — but check current leash rules before you go.

Spoonauger Falls in Sumter National Forest

We track 7 waterfalls in Sumter National Forest.

Other waterfalls near Mountain Rest

There are 6 other waterfalls we track in Oconee. All Sumter National Forest waterfalls →

Quick facts

Height50 ft
Trail0.5 mi round trip
Difficultyeasy
Fee / permitNo day-use fee documented for this trailhead (not listed among Sumter National Forest's designated fee areas)
Managing agencyU.S. Forest Service — Sumter National Forest (Andrew Pickens Ranger District)
DogsAllowed
SwimmingNot published
ADA accessNot published
CountyOconee
RegionSumter National Forest
Official pageView source ↗

Directions

Open in Google Maps ↗

Source

fs.usda.gov

Checked fs.usda.gov Spoonauger Falls recreation page and fs.usda.gov/main/scnfs/passes-permits/recreation (2026-09-04); coordinates cross-referenced via sctrails.net. Closure check: current USFS alerts list unrelated closures elsewhere in the forest (FSR 251H bridge, Litchfield Bridge, FSR 301, Clark's Creek Rd, Candy Branch Rifle Range) — none affect this trail.

Checked September 2026.