Big Bend Falls is the largest waterfall on the Chattooga River, a powerful drop of roughly 30 feet in the Sumter National Forest of far northwestern South Carolina. It is reached by a long, strenuous riverside hike, with a steep, slippery final scramble down to the falls.
Its 30 ft drop is taller than about 24% of the 775 waterfalls we track.
Its water comes from Chattooga River. It lies in Oconee, South Carolina. The site is on public land managed by Sumter National Forest (USFS).
This is a backcountry waterfall: a remote, long, or permit-required trek for prepared visitors. This one is deep enough in that you should plan for a full backcountry trip — map, water, and a margin of daylight. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 7 miles round trip. The nearest town is Mountain Rest.
When to go: Spring high flow (Mar-May). Water volume swings with the seasons here, strongest after snowmelt or rain and lowest in late summer, so check recent streamflow before you go.
