Caesars Head State Park is a South Carolina park in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area along the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. The Visitor Center and parking lots are along U.S. 276.
We attempted to start at the Raven Cliff Falls parking area, but it is small (18 total spaces) and was completely full when we arrived. Arrive early to get a space here or park in one of the overflow lots farther down U.S. 276.
Instead, we began at the Visitor Center. This parking lot is slightly bigger than Raven Cliff Falls’ but is still small for a state park’s main parking area in my opinion. You can get a park map in the Visitor Center but be prepared to pay – it was $2.25.
There are two relatively easy trails accessed from the Visitor Center – Frank Coggins Trail and the Overlook trail.
Frank Coggins Trail
This 1.8-mile loop trail starts across the street from the center. There is a crosswalk painted across the highway. It starts to the right of the state park sign if you are facing the road with the center at your back. Trail access costs $3. Painted purple blazes mark the Frank Coggins Trail, labelled #15 on the map.
Signposts with maps are found periodically on the path. At the first map, turn right. Then turn right again at the next split.
You’ll hit a small loop with a single-log bridge to your right and a slightly uphill trail to your left. You can go either direction. We went left.
The trail ambles uphill and over roots before taking a handful of deep drops down. Then you’ll cross a small wooden bridge over a creek. There is a cascade, Cliff Falls, which steeply drops over the precipice nearby. There is no good angle to see the falls, just the brink is viewable from the trail.
Then you’ll come across a “cave” below a large rockface. When we visited Firewater Falls was a small trickle flowing over it.
Take the steps next to the rockface then you’ll turn right to head back to the loop point. There is a fallen tree over the path. They have cut a step into it to make it easier to cross.
Cross the single log over the stream to come to the main route again. Retrace your steps back to the Visitor Center. We had lunch at a picnic table next to the center.
Overlook
The Overlook starts in the upper corner of the Visitor Center parking lot. Its main draw is panoramic views of the surrounding Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area!
Overlook
A viewpoint early on the path has a map explaining which landscapes you can see. Farther along the loop is the main fenced overlook. Below are my favorite shots from this overlook. It was stunning and we spent much longer here than we thought we would.
In this shot are Table Rock Mountain and Table Rock Reservoir, Stool Mountain, Pinnacle Mountain, and Raven Cliff Mountain.
Devil’s Kitchen
After the overlook, head around the boulder to see Devil’s Kitchen. Descend the steel staircase into the dark depths below. It leads to a split in the mountain, just wide enough for a person to pass through. This narrow passage was formed when water trickled into tiny crack, froze, and expanded, causing a crack.
Its name comes from a myth that the Devil created a hot brew here and spilled a drop on the rock, which split it.
After passing through the Devil’s Kitchen, continue on the short path which loops back to the parking lot.
Raven Cliff Falls Trail
After the Overlook, we tried our luck at the Raven Cliff parking area again. Luckily, there was a space! After paying $3 to park and hike here, we started for the trailhead. This trail also starts across U.S. 276. There is a crosswalk here but be careful as cars speed around the corners.
Raven Cliff Falls Trail is a 4.4-mile roundtrip out-and-back trail. It is part of the Foothills Trail and the Middle Saluda section of the Palmetto Trail.
This moderate trail is marked with red painted blazes. It is #11 on the map.
There are irregular surfaces and exposed roots.
We found beautiful wildflowers (such as rosebay rhododendron), bees, and a worm-eating warbler.
You’ll walk down 30 steps on a wooden staircase. When you hit the first map signpost, take the left at the trail split following the red blazes.
At the second map signpost, you’ll veer right. Going left here will take you on the Dismal Trail instead, which is very strenuous, dropping 2,000 feet and then climbing back up.
The falls overlook is close by! There is a shelter to rest under at the overlook. From the shelter, it is only 9 steps down to the observation platform. The approximately 400-foot waterfall is across the gorge.
You can’t see the full length of this huge waterfall, but you can see good portions of it through the trees.
Matthews Creek plunges over Raven Cliff, named for the ravens that breed there.
After enjoying the waterfall, head back to the trailhead.
If you would like to get closer to the falls and see the suspension bridge, take the longer route from Raven Cliff Falls Trail to Naturaland Trust Trail. From the trailhead, head right at the first intersection for the Gum Gap Trail. Then turn left on the Naturaland Trust Trail to the suspension bridge.
In addition to the above, there are several other trails in Caesars Head State Park. Have you hiked any of these? What is your favorite spot in the park?
The Overlook description and images were are favorite. A great place to plein air. We are looking forward to doing so. Thanks once again!
Again a great description. This park and these trails are not as popular as they should be. Perhaps your readers will pass the word along. I know I will. Thank you Steph.