Natural swimming hole
Pigpen Falls
Waterfall · South Carolina
About this swimming hole
Pigpen Falls is a roughly 24-25 foot, two-drop waterfall on Pigpen Creek near its confluence with the Chattooga River in Sumter National Forest. Visit Oconee calls it a great swimming hole, and Discover South Carolina describes Licklog Creek settling into a shallow, sandy-bottomed pool below the falls that is a great spot to cool off in warmer weather. It is reached in under a mile via the Foothills Trail and Chattooga River Trail, with the larger Licklog Falls a quarter mile further.
Good to know
| Water type | Waterfall |
|---|---|
| Depth | Sandy-bottomed collection pool below the lower drop of the falls |
| Best season | May-September |
| Fees | Free |
| Reservations required | No |
| Hours | Daylight hours |
| Parking | Foothills Trail parking area at the end of Nicholson Ford Road (gravel road); parking-area GPS given by Visit Oconee as 34.91905, -83.12020 |
| County | Oconee County |
| Nearest town | Mountain Rest |
| Safety notes | No lifeguard; remote backcountry spot with gravel-road access; slippery rocks; Chattooga River nearby has strong current - stay in the falls pool |
Map
Nearby swimming holes
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Pigpen Falls?
Yes — Pigpen Falls is listed as a natural swimming spot in South Carolina. Heads-up: No lifeguard; remote backcountry spot with gravel-road access; slippery rocks; Chattooga River nearby has strong current - stay in the falls pool. There are rarely lifeguards at natural swimming holes — verify conditions locally before you go.
Does Pigpen Falls require reservations?
No reservations are required at Pigpen Falls based on current information — but verify before you go.
Is there a fee to visit Pigpen Falls?
Reported fee info: Free. Fees can change — confirm with the official link.
When is the best time to visit Pigpen Falls?
The best season is typically May-September.