Accessibility – Moderate (unless you go to Splash Dam too)
Height – 70′
Distance – 14.4 (out and back)
Beauty – 6
Photo rating – 6
Solitude – 5
GPS Info: LAT 35.054127 LONG -82.966241
Last Updated – 12-23-2024
Home Alphabetical Listing Numerical Listing Location Listing Toxaway South
For the hike description without a 4X$ see Splash Dam Falls. If you’re only doing Hilliard Falls and you have a real 4×4, and you time it correctly, you can drastically shorten this hike. If you think you’re going to do this in an AWD car, I don’t recommend it.
Getting there: If you have a 4X4 with good ground clearance, you can start this adventure at Bad Creek off Whitewater Falls Rd a mile south of the NC/SC state line in SC. The parking area is inside the Duke Energy Bad Creek power station. The parking lot for the Foothills Trail and Whitewater River Access Area is where you will find Musterground Road. The gravel road will be on the right when you’re heading toward the parking lot. It is gated except during hunting season so check the SCDNR website for the actual dates.
The roadbed is in very good shape, and for the first 5 miles, it is mostly downhill, with the exception of one steep climb about 4 miles in. At 5.2 miles the road crosses the Thompson River and heads up. It is a super steep ascent. This was the only time on the way in that I put my Jeep in 4X4. The climb is followed by a sharp descent and another climb. At 7.1 miles you will pass Cooley Creek Road. At 8.4 miles, an unnamed road goes to the left. Park here. The road is signed as closed to vehicle traffic.
The hike: The hike starts on the connector road. In less than a quarter mile, you will enter North Carolina and continue the hike on Auger Hole Road. 1.4 miles from the trailhead, Auger Hole Road intersects the Foothills Trail. It is a 4 way intersection. Make a right onto the Foothills Trail and follow it for half a mile to the spur trail to Hilliard Falls. The spur is around a quarter of a mile and ends at the falls. Unlike in the picture below, as of 12-21-2024, there is a huge amount of clutter at the base of the falls from Helene. It’s going to take some doing to remove it. Still a great waterfall, but definitely not the same with all the junk.
Since you’re in the area, if you want to add another waterfall to your expedition, Rudi’s Falls is close by, but it requires a bushwhack and it’s not super impressive. if you want to check it out, this will tell you how to get from Hilliard Falls to Rudi’s Falls.
