Visiting Brasstown Falls: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Brasstown Falls Trail offers access to not just one, but three stunning waterfalls, all within a one mile hike! This scenic spot makes for the perfect day trip, especially in the summer when you can cool off with a refreshing dip. Keep reading for everything you need to know about visiting these waterfalls!

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Getting to Brasstown Falls

Brasstown Falls is located just across the Georgia/South Carolina border, near Westminster, SC. The final stretch of the road to the trailhead is gravel and can be a bit bumpy at times; however, we had no trouble reaching it in our Toyota Corolla.

The parking lot is small, fitting about 10 cars. We visited around midday in the summer and had no problem finding a spot. However, it can get busy at times, so if you have to park along the road, be sure not to block anyone in.

What to Expect on the Trail

The trailhead starts at the far end of the parking lot. As you follow the trail, you’ll come to a fork where you can go left or right. Going left takes you to Upper Falls, which is usually less crowded. You can swim at this waterfall, but the pool bottom is filled with branches, so I recommend bringing water shoes.

If you turn right, the trail gradually goes downhill until you reach the first viewing platform at Middle Falls. Right before you reach the viewing platform, you’ll see this bonus waterfall (pictured above) peaking there the trees.

This waterfall is actually my favorite of the three. People were swimming here, but there isn’t an official path down to the water. When I visited, plastic rope was set up to discourage people from going down. If you do decide to venture down, be careful! It’s steep in spots, and without a marked trail, you’ll have to find your own way carefully.

Continuing past this platform, you’ll descend a wooden ladder to reach Lower Falls. This spot is another great place to swim since the water is easy to access. While we didn’t personally swim here, it seemed a bit deeper, so it might not be ideal for small children.

The trail is about 1 mile round trip and isn’t particularly difficult, though there are some gentle uphill and downhill sections along the way.

When to Visit

These waterfalls are beautiful year-round, but they’re especially stunning after it’s rained recently. During dry seasons, the flow isn’t as strong, so the falls won’t look quite as full. If you visit in the summer, you can take a refreshing swim, which feels amazing on a hot day!

Just a heads-up: if it’s rained a lot before your visit, the trail may be muddy and a bit slippery in spots, so wear shoes with good grip.

If you’re hoping to miss the crowds I recommend visiting on weekdays or earlier in the morning.

What to Bring

Water: You always need plenty of water when you go hiking, even if it is just one mile. I prefer to carry a hydration bladder, they make it so much easier to stay hydrated on the trails without lugging around a massive water bottle. 

Hiking Poles: This trail is fairly easy, so hiking poles aren’t necessary but they can be helpful if you have bad knees. On the way up, they help distribute your weight, and on the way down, they provide extra stability and reduce the impact on your knees.

Hiking Boots:  If you enjoy hiking regularly, you should definitely invest in hiking boots or trail shoes. A good pair will offer you ankle support, protection from mud and streams and better tread for hiking all terrain. For trails that are mainly flat a good pair of tennis shoes will do but once you move into different trails and increasing elevation, hiking shoes are a must.

Bear Spray: One thing I hope I never need to use, but always have on hand! It’s not necessary on all hikes, but if you’re heading in bear country you should definitely have it easily accessible. 

Snacks: Since this trail won’t take you long to do, a few cliff bars, trail mix or fruit is plenty. If you plan to stay longer and spend some time swimming you may want to bring a sandwich too.

Water Shoes: Any time you are swimming in a waterfall, river, or lake, I definitely recommend wearing water shoes! The ground usually isn’t smooth and has rocks or sticks that are hard to walk on with your bare feet.

Other Trails in the Area

If you’re looking for other trails in the area, check out Riley Moore Falls Trail, around 3o minutes away, This waterfall is perfect for swimming in on a hot summer day!

If you’re looking for mountain views, checkout Black Rock Mountain state park in Georgia, around 45 minutes from Brasstown Falls.