Riley Moore Falls in Westminster, SC

Whenever we visit Kendra’s family in the south, we try to find fun outdoor adventures to have with the kids. Just 30-minutes from the Georgia border, Riley Moore Falls in Westminster, South Carolina, is an easy hike that leads to a 100-foot wide waterfall with a sandy beach and incredible swimming hole. It was the perfect place for a fun afternoon with the family, including Kendra’s parents (Jane and Boris) and her brother’s family (Colin, Tonia, Jada, and Olivia).

Our Adventure to Riley Moore Falls

Location: Riley Moore Falls, Westminster, SC
Date: June 23, 2019
Distance: 2.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 352 feet (return trip)
Our Hiking Time: 33 minutes to the falls, 45 minutes to return
Trail Blaze: purple rectangles
Difficulty: Easy

The first part of our adventure was a 1.2-mile hike descending to the swimming hole on the Chauga River. We set off on the red clay road that leads from the highway to the parking area. (You can’t drive to the trailhead unless you have a vehicle with four-wheel drive.)

After a half mile, we turned left onto the trail, which descends rapidly. Be careful of the poison ivy lining the sides of the trail! After approximately another half mile, the trail ends at a sandy beach area surrounded by trees. There were other folks enjoying the swimming hole, but not enough to make it feel crowded.

We staked out some space in the sand and headed into the water. Kendra, her parents, and her brother ventured under the waterfall with Addison, Evan, Veronica, and, Olivia, while Tonia and I hung back with Kate and Jada.

Though the water is shallow and slow throughout most of the swimming hole, there were some spots that dropped deeply, and the current of the river was strong nearest the many rocks scattered throughout the water.

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The kids had a blast wading through the clear water, splashing, and discovering gems. Veronica even braved flipping off a rock into one of the deeper parts of the swimming hole.

After a couple of hours of swimming, we had a small picnic dinner on the beach, then packed our backpacks for the trek back. The return hike took about 15 minutes longer. It was a bit muddy in places, so we were glad we wore hiking boots.

Check Out Our Trek to Riley Moore Falls

Download file: RileyMooreFalls062019.gpx

Know Before You Go!

• There are no bathrooms.
• Make sure to pack food and water so you can enjoy a picnic on the sandy beach. You’ll need to be energized and hydrated for the trek back to the highway.
• Be careful of snakes in and around the water – we spotted one right near the falls.

Directions

The trailhead for Riley Moore Falls is State Rd S-37-748, Westminster, SC, 29693. Click here for a Google Map link to the trailhead.