Everything You Need to Know About Riley Moore Falls Trail

Riley Moore Falls is the perfect summer adventure! Pack your water shoes, a float, and some lunch, and plan to spend the day swimming and relaxing by the falls. Be sure to read this article before you go so you’ll know exactly what to expect!

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Getting to the Trailhead

Riley Moore Falls is located in Westminster, SC just over the Georgia line. Once your turn off US-76, the last mile or so is down a dirt road. The road is maintained pretty well and we had no issues driving down in our small car. Your GPS might try to route you down a narrower side road to the right, but that section is typically gated off. Instead, you’ll need to park along the main dirt road before starting your hike.

Hiking Riley Moore Falls

The trail is 2 miles round trip and is rated easy to moderate. To begin, follow the road behind the gate downhill. After about half a mile, you’ll reach a parking area where the official trailhead begins. From there, the path narrows and continues steadily downhill. After half mile you’ll come to a clearing where you’ll be greeted by Riley Moore Falls and a small sandy beach area.

Riley Moore Falls Beach Area

The beach area is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic. On a warm day, you can even go for a swim in the river. The water is never very warm, but on a hot day it is extremely refreshing! The water stays pretty shallow farther from the falls, but it gets deeper as you get closer. The rocky ledge near the falls is quite slippery, so use caution if you walk up there. Personally, I’d recommend skipping it altogether to stay safe.

When you are ready to head back, just retrace your steps back the way you came. The hike back is uphill so be sure to take your time and remember to save yourself some water for the hike back up!

When to Visit

Riley Moore Falls is beautiful year-round, but it’s 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 and Snacks: In the summer you should pack 1 liter of water per hour you’re hiking. If you plan to spend some time swimming be sure to pack extra water. Even if you ate a big breakfast/lunch before the hike, it is still a good idea to pack a few snacks to keep your energy levels up.
• Water shoes: Some spots in the river can be pretty rocky, so it’s a good idea to pack water shoes to protect your feet. I have these and love how they hardly take up any space and add almost no weight to my backpack.
• Hiking Backpack: Any hiking backpack will do but I personally love my Teton hiking backpack! I have the 22-liter, and my wife uses the 18-liter, both have been perfect for our hikes.
• Sun Screen: This one’s easy to forget, but you’ll definitely want to stay protected and reapply while you’re hanging out by the waterfall.

Other Trails in the Area

If you’re looking for other trails in the area, check out Brasstown Falls around 3o minutes away, Here you’ll be treated to 3 beautiful waterfall!

If you’re looking for mountain views, checkout Black Rock Mountain state park in Georgia, around 1 hour from Riley Moore Falls.