Opossum Creek Falls

Photo credit: Paul Finke

The two-hour journey is worth the effort to reach the 50-foot Opossum Creek Falls. Most of the two-mile hike ambles along a pleasant trail shaded by an assortment of hardwoods and bordered at times by small partridgeberry wildflowers. But when you reach the Chattooga River, you will turn left onto a heavily vegetated path and scramble around rocks and trees for the last half-mile hike to the base of the waterfall.

• From the Trailhead, the trail is MODERATELY difficult as it drops rapidly the first half-mile. There are steps and switchbacks.
• The trail flattens out to an EASY hike as it parallels Camp Branch for about 1-mile.
• The trail begins to go up and down for about a half mile. Expect some obstacles such as fallen or uprooted trees.
• The last half-mile to the Chattooga River is EASY but is a downhill walk.
• At the Chattooga River, the trail makes a sharp left turn toward Opossum Creek and a flat area with lots of logs that the river deposited during peak flow. You will notice a user-developed path that goes right, upstream toward shoreline rocks.
• A signpost indicates the start of the 0.3 mile trail up Opossum Creek toward the falls.
• About halfway there, the trail crosses the creek. You will have to wade in the creek or step on rocks to cross, which can be slippery when wet.
• You will have to climb over large boulders and logs to reach the base of the falls. These can be slippery.