Licklog and Pigpen Falls

Two beautiful waterfalls (with funny names!) that are less than a mile from the road. This kid friendly spot is a must-see location.

On the far western end of South Carolina, right on the Georgia border, are two beautiful waterfalls that are very easy to reach although funny to say – Licklog and Pigpen Falls. Much prettier than their names sound, these two gems of the Sumter National Forest are less than a mile from the road and are kid friendly destinations.

The trailheads for Licklog and Pigpen Falls are located in Mountain Rest, South Carolina. You will travel on Village Creek Road until you see the large and well placed sign at the turn off for Nicholson Ford Road. Follow unpaved Nicholson Ford Road all the way to the end and keep right at the fork. The parking area is large but this is a popular area so it is best to arrive early to avoid the crowds. There are also no restroom facilities at the trailhead, or nearby. Licklog and Pigpen Falls are about 90 minutes from Greenville South Carolina or about 2 hours from Athens Georgia.

The trailhead starts at the end of the parking area right next to the informative signboard. It borrows a section from the well maintained Foothills Trail and is a pleasant walk through the woods with only a moderate elevation change. After hiking about 1/2 mile, you will intersect and turn left on the Chattooga Trail. Pigpen falls is only about 50ft down the Chattooga Trail and you will hear it before you even turn off of Foothills Trail.

This is an absolutely breathtaking spot in the forest with a flat and very spacious area for viewing the short multi-cascaded Pigpen Falls. This is an excellent spot to bring a picnic and hang out for a long time enjoying the waterfall and forest. During the warm summer months, the sandy pool at the base of the falls would be a perfect swimming hole.

To visit Licklog falls it is just a short hike past Pigpen falls on the Chattooga trail. Cross the well constructed bridge over the creek and continue about 2/10’s of a mile until you reach the much larger Licklog Falls. This waterfall is a series of large cascades which are difficult to view in its entirety. While most of Licklog Falls is viewable from the top of the trail, the bottom section is only viewable by descending down the steep side trail to the right as the Chattooga Trail cuts left to parallel the Chattooga River. The descent is only about 50ft but this section of the trail is very steep and not recommended for small children. If you do visit the bottom of the falls, you will be treated to the largest section of Licklog Falls which is a beautiful 50ft section that fans out as the water pours into the Chattooga River.

The viewing area at the base of Licklog Falls isn’t too large and is right on the bank of the Chattooga River. There is, however, adequate space for not only enjoying the falls but also to have a picnic and enjoy the larger river. The other side of the river is Georgia making Licklog Falls one of the few South Carolina waterfalls that you can actually view while you are standing in Georgia.

This is an out and back hike so when you have finished enjoying the waterfalls hike safely back to the parking area .

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