Lower Whitewater Falls

Lower Whitewater Falls drops 200 feet in the Jocassee Gorges, part of a chain of falls billed as the highest series of waterfalls in eastern North America. The falls cascade over a massive rock face into the pristine Whitewater River valley. The remote setting in the Jocassee Gorges provides a true wilderness experience.

The 2-mile moderate hike to the overlook follows a well-maintained trail through a rich cove forest. The trail descends to a viewing platform that offers a dramatic perspective of the falls from across the gorge. The Foothills Trail passes through here, connecting this falls to Upper Whitewater Falls across the NC border.

Spring runoff produces the most dramatic flow. The Jocassee Gorges are renowned for their fall color, with the gorge creating its own microclimate that extends the season. This is a quieter alternative to the more accessible Upper Whitewater Falls on the North Carolina side.