Station Cove Falls Trail in South Carolina: A Hiking Guide
One of the easiest hikes near Walhalla, South Carolina, Station Cove Falls trail has a big pay-off!
Thanks to its lack of elevation, easy to follow trail, and beautiful cascade at the end of the trail, Station Cove Falls should be on the radar of anyone who’s waterfall chasing in the South Carolina Upstate.
This trail inside Oconee Station State Park is popular for a reason, but you can still beat the crowds by going early on a weekend or during a weekday.
In the guide below, you’ll find everything that you need to make your experience on Station Cove Falls Trail a great one, from parking tips to what you’ll find step-by-step along the hike.
I’ve included lots of photos of the trail to help you determine if this hike is a good fit for you and your family.
My kids and I return again and again every time we’re in the Upstate, and it is, hands down, their favorite hike. I hope you’ll add it to your South Carolina itinerary, too!
Station Cove Falls in summer
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Hike Overview
Trailhead Location: inside Oconee Station State Historic Site
Trail length: 1.6 miles out and back
Trail difficulty: easy
Elevation gain: 100 feet
Starting the Hike: Parking and Trail Information
TIP: Before you set out on any hike, it’s a good idea to check for any recent updates, trail conditions, and level of difficulty at AllTrails!
Parking
While parking here isn’t as bad as at the nearby Yellow Branch Falls trail, it is the most difficult part of this entire hiking experience.
The official parking area is a small patch of red dirt right at the trailhead.
The small parking area at the trailhead
But, the lot barely holds a dozen vehicles, and getting into and out of the parking area can be challenging. If you have a car that’s lower to the ground, like a regular sedan, be careful in your approach into the lot—the hill’s angle can scrape the car’s undercarriage if you’re not careful.
The parking area is small enough that I feel as if I have to wedge our Ford F150 into any of the available spaces, so I usually park just down Oconee Station Road.
Look for the flat area on the same side of the road as the small parking lot on the hill. You’ll find a grassy area by the road that’s much easier to get in and out of, and there is much more room in general here.
If all of that is filled up, you can park at the Oconee Station State Historic Site ranger station and take the spur trail past the fishing pond to the Station Cove Falls trailhead. This does add about 0.4 miles to your hike each way, but it is easy.
Entrance Fees
There aren’t any entrance fees to access Station Cove Falls or any part of Oconee Station State Historic Site.
If you’d like to make a donation for your time, you can see the ranger at the ranger station near the historic house or put it in the deposit box.
Is this trail good for kids?
The Camping Kiddos at the falls in winter
Yes, Station Cove Falls is an excellent hiking option for the entire family, thanks to its wide, generally flat trail and beautiful waterfall at the end.
While it’s in the mountains of South Carolina, it does not feel like mountain hiking, making this a good choice for beginning hikers, families with young kids, and those looking for an easy trail.
There aren’t any steep drop-offs, narrow areas, or tricky sections that might give hesitant hikers pause.
It truly is the easiest trail with the best pay-off in this entire area!
Plus, hikers can walk directly up to the base of the falls, which is so refreshing in the warmer months.
This trail makes for a great day out with your kids, so pack the water shoes and a picnic and plan to stay for a bit.
Is this trail dog-friendly?
Yes, Station Cove Falls is dog friendly, and you’ll see many hikers exploring with their furry friends.
If you do bring your dog, keep him or her on a leash. You’ll also want to bring small trash bags to clean up after your dog.
There aren’t any trash cans on the trail or at the trailhead, so be prepared to carry out everything.
When is the best time to do this hike?
We’ve been here every season of the year, and it is excellent no matter what time you hike it.
The falls are beautiful, even in the winter, as long as there has been consistent rain in this area. I’m particularly partial to the hike during the spring and the fall as this is when you’ll get more of a wow factor on the trail itself.
During the spring, you’ll get to see colorful wildflowers and lush greenery. Keep an eye out for the rare Oconee Bell wildflower, which is native to this area. If you don’t have any luck here, check the Lake Trail at nearby Oconee State Park.
During the fall, the trail is a riot of color as the leaves change. Plus, the cooler weather is a welcome change from the humid summer.
Explore more of the South Carolina outdoors!
Oconee State Park vs. Oconee Station State Historic Site
Before we get any further into this guide, it’s important to note that there are two very similarly named state-run sites on either side of Walhalla.
It’s also very easy to get them mixed up and accidentally go to the wrong one when you assumed your GPS. knew what it was talking about. (Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…)
To clarify, Station Cove Falls trail is in Oconee Station State Historic Site. This Historic Site is located off of Oconee Station Road, and it also has 2 historic buildings to explore that date from the late 1700s and early 1800s.
It does not have any camping, swimming, or overnight facilities.
Oconee State Park, on the other hand, is on the other side of Walhalla, and it is much bigger than Oconee Station State Historic Site. You can find additional hiking here, a huge campground, more than a dozen cabins, a swimming area, and many kid-friendly activities.
Learn more about camping at Oconee State Park and its many amenities here.
Confusingly, the two parks aren’t that far apart as the crow flies, and you can walk from one to the other on the Oconee Passage of the Palmetto Trail. (More on that below in the “How to Extend This Hike” section.)
Station Cove Falls Trail Guide
Station Cove Falls is just one of the more than 35 hikes on my ultimate guide to South Carolina waterfalls! Most on that list are within just an hour drive or so of Station Cove Falls.
Choosing a trailhead
The regular trailhead is the one near the red dirt parking lot off of Oconee Station Road, noted above in the “Parking” section.
However, if you’re also planning to see the historic buildings in Oconee Station State Historic Site, you may plan to park near the small ranger building and the restrooms.
From here, you can grab one of the free TRACK Trail brochures, which are one of the best ways to make hiking fun for kids.
The spur trailhead for Station Cove Falls can be found to the left of the TRACK Trail brochure stand.
It then wanders down from the parking area, past a fishing pond, and then up to Oconee Station Road, where you can cross to join up the regular trailhead.
Photos of the spur trail:
Station Cove Falls Trail, Step by Step
At the regular trailhead, you’ll see a wooden information board, which is helpful if you’re new to this trail.
You’ll find emergency contacts and location information here, and it’s always a good idea to take a quick photo.
NOTE: I get pretty good cell coverage here, so if you did need to call for help, you should be able to do so. However, I still bring along my Garmin InReach Mini anytime I’m hiking with my kids in case we can’t get through to someone on the phone.
From the trailhead here, you’ll begin to descend down into the forest. This is the only section of trail with any substantial elevation gain or loss, so if you can get through this part, the rest is nearly flat.
As the trail slopes downward, you’ll pass a second wooden sign. This one has information on the area, wildlife, and plants.
Soon afterwards, the trail curves slowly back to the right. You’ll come to a small overlook, but it’s not very high nor will you be able to see much other than the small stream below.
The trail then curves to the left, and you’ll come to the first wooden stream crossing. This crossing is more substantial than the others you’ll see on the trail and it makes for a cute place for a photo.
My son on the far side of the first footbridge
After you cross the footbridge, the trail evens out and is flat for a bit.
You’ll soon come to the second stream crossing, which has a more modest bridge than the previous one.
This one lacks railings, but the water you’re crossing is barely a stream, so you don’t need anything more than a wooden path.
You can often see tadpoles and small fish from this bridge, so prepare for a brief stop if you’re hiking with kid.
After this second footbridge, the trail gains a slight bit of elevation as you follow Station Creek. You’ll keep the creek to your left for the remainder of the hike.
You’ll then cross the third footbridge. This one looks just like the first one.
Once you pass over this stream crossing, you’ll get into what I think is the more picturesque half of the trail. The forest opens up here, and you’ll get to see the ferns and leafy plants that carpet this part of the woods.
There are several huge trees that have fallen across the trail over the years, and they’re great for letting kids jump over and onto. A few of the largest ones have been cut in half so that hikers can easily access the trail.
On the other side of this more open area, you’ll come to your fourth and final footbridge. This last one is simple without railings.
Just on the other side of the fourth footbridge is the trail intersection of Station Cove Falls trail and the Oconee Passage of the Palmetto Trail.
You’ll want to keep to the left, going between the wooden fence and trail signs.
You are very close to the falls here, and Station Creek gets much bigger and more obvious in this section. You’ll see several areas where you can walk down to the creek along this stretch.
The Camping Kiddos at the base of the waterfall
The trail will make an abrupt turn to the left, and you’ll have to do one more stream crossing—and this time without a bridge.
There are several rocks to help you jump across if you don’t want to get your feet wet.
From here, you’ll be able to easily see Station Cove Fall. Follow the trail (now on the left side of Station Creek) up to the base of the falls.
There are many huge tree trucks and boulders to sit on if you’d like to linger.
If you do want to go up to the falls, use caution as algae grows on many of the rocks at the base, and makes them very slippery.
If your kids are anything like mine, they will want to splash in the water.
There are several small pools near the falls where they can get into the stream. None are very deep, so even little kids can get in to splash around.
NOTE: For a true swimming hole experience, check out the Riley Moore Falls hike in nearby Westminster, South Carolina, which is much deeper with a bigger swimming area.
When you’re ready to leave, retrace your steps back to the parking area.
How to Extend This Hike
Heading out on the Oconee Passage
If you’d like to extend your Station Cove Falls Trail experience, you can do so in one of 2 ways:
You can add on the spur trail near the Oconee Station State Historic Site ranger station (noted above). Doing so would add 0.4 miles each way to your hike.
You can complete the Oconee Passage of the Palmetto Trail. Doing so would add 2.7 miles each way to your hike.
The Oconee Passage is beautiful and far less traveled than Station Cove Falls. You’ll get to see more of the forest, wildflowers, and mountain views here.
At the other end of the passage is Oconee State Park; the trail puts you out near some of the cabins, so be sure to either commit to a full out-and-back, or have someone at the other end to pick you up.
NOTE: The cell coverage gets very spotty as you approach the far end of the Oconee Passage in Oconee State Park.
My daughter and my husband did this spur on one of our trips to Station Cove Falls, and they loved it.
What to Bring to Station Cove Falls
Hiking sandals
If you plan to get into the water near the base of the falls, you should opt for hiking sandals over hiking boots.
Unless it’s very cold, you can find me in my Keen Newport H2 hiking sandals, which dry quickly and allow me to splash in a stream before hopping back on the trail.
Towel
I know that if there is water on a trail, my kids will be in it.
Because of this, I always keep a lightweight Turkish towel or two in my day pack to help them dry off when they inevitably get into the stream, lake, or puddle we’ve found!
Water
There isn’t a place to fill up your water bottle at the trailhead or anywhere on the trail, so be sure to bring along a full water bladder or bottle.
It’s not a long trail, but the humid weather here in the late spring, summer, and early fall can sap your body of more water than you’d expect.
Final Thoughts on This Trail
My little hiking buddy on the trail
There’s a reason we keep coming back to this trail again and again!
Not only is it easy, but it’s beautiful at every turn, and the waterfall at the end is one of the best in this area of the South Carolina Upstate.
Our kids ask to go back every time we’re in the area, so we’ve had the chance to see it across the seasons.
For the best chance at grabbing parking, go earlier in the morning.
Before 10 AM on a weekend is when the trail isn’t too busy.
It truly never disappoints no matter when you make the hike.
Make a day out of it by visiting the historic homes at Oconee Station State Historic Site or by exploring some of the other best things to do in Walhalla!
