Cedar Creek Falls is a 15-foot waterfall on Cedar Creek in Sumter National Forest. This waterfall sits just above a second waterfall, Blue Hole Falls, but is the easier hike to see.
From Cassidy Bridge Road, turn on Rich Mountain Road, also called Forest Road (FR) 744. Rich Mountain Road and the following roads are all gravel forest roads. Drive 3 miles, then turn right on FR 744C.
Continue on FR 744C for 2.4 miles until you reach FR 2658 on the right. There is no sign indicating the road number and there are several forest roads so pay attention to the mileage. Because the GPS stopped at least a mile too early, I recommend using it only to get to FR 744C. Park at the entrance to FR 2658, off the main road. There is limited space here to park but I was the only one there when I visited.
Cedar Creek Falls
Walk beyond the black metal gate blocking the road and follow the gravel logging road downhill for about a quarter mile. When I visited in April, the path was dotted with dozens of lovely dwarf irises. The road will hit a T-intersection and some boulders. Turn right at the boulders and follow the painted blue blazes on the trees.
Several spur trails line the path, and there is a faux trail to your left that looks like it will take you to the falls. Skip this trail. It leads to a dead end along the side of Blue Hole Falls with heavy brush and no view of the falls.
Look for the double-blue blaze to your left just before you reach the end of the trail. This is a short but steep decline to Cedar Creek.
Cedar Creek Falls will be to your right and the top of Blue Hole Falls flows to your left. Cedar Creek Falls cascades over a wide, slanted rock face.
To continue to Blue Hole Falls, you will have to cross Cedar Creek to the opposite bank and carefully make your way downstream to the base of the waterfall. Avoid crossing the creek at the top of Blue Hole’s cascade as you may slip or be pulled over with the current. This part of the hike would be difficult if the water level is high or fast moving. I recommend bringing a rope with you to help get down to the base and back up again.