Accessibility – Moderate

Height – 30′

Distance – 5.9 (out and back)

Beauty – 6

Photo rating – 5

Solitude – 4

GPS Info: LAT 35.03043 LONG -82.72647

Last Visited – 08-29-2021

Last Updated – 01-18-2023

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Mill Creek Falls is located at the end of the Mill Creek Trail, 0.4 miles from the junction with the Pinnacle Mountain Trail. The waterfall had a large pile of stuff in front of it that I had to climb over to get a decent picture. If the crap was gone this would be a very nice waterfall. There was a wire railing along the side of the trail, but on my 2021 visit, it was crushed under a fallen tree, which made it that much harder to get to the falls..

To get to the trailhead from the West Gate into Table Rock State Park, the parking area is on the right just after the lake access parking area and the playground. If you’re her eon a weekend in season, expect to park roadside since the lots will be full. The hike begins at the restrooms and registration office across from the main parking lot. Before hiking, all hikers are required to check in and detail the route they are going to take.

From the check in, take the connector trail up to the split and make a left onto the Pinnacle Mountain Trail. if you go right you will end up climbing Table Rock, which is one of my favorite hikes. The Table Rock to Pinnacle Mountain Loop is a strenuous but rewaring hike if you’re looking for a challenge. At 0.8 miles, the Pinnavle Mountain Trail intersects the Carrick Creek Loop Trail. Cross the intersection and continue climbing. The grade is going to get steeper, then rockier. The first waterfall you come to on the hike is Shower Falls, which drops directly onto the trail. On a hot day, it’s a nice spot to cool off before resuming the hike. The trail will cross the top of Spring Bluff Falls at 2.5 miles, and it reaches the intersection with the Mill Creek Trail 0.1 later. There is a sign here pointing you in the right direction. You want to go left. The Mill Creek Trail isn’t as nicely graded and you will be climbing over some stuff on your way to the falls. Then you’ll be climbing over more stuff to get a good look at the falls.

You can see what I mean. Left pic, don’t look so bad, right pic, kinda cluttered.