King Creek Falls and Burrells Ford

Despite being in a remote corner of the state, Burrells Ford remains a crossroads: historical and natural. The old wagon road (and later logging road) that forded the Chattooga was replaced with gravel Forest Service Road 708 (FS 708 or Burrels Ford Road) in 1968, allowing access to the section of the state bordering Georgia and North Carolina. Here the Foothills Trail intersects with the Chattooga Trail and East Fork Trail. Ellicott Rock Wilderness overlaps the Wild & Scenic Chattooga River corridor. Spur trails to Burrells Ford and Spoonauger Falls depart from multiple trailheads. And three National Forests - the Chattahoochee-Oconee, Nantahala, and Andrew Pickens ranger district of Sumter National Forest – converge to form one giant natural area.

Kings Creek Falls

  

But the region remains wild. Isolated, winding mountain roads require 1 ½ hours driving time to reach the campground from Greenville, including the last 3 on gravel Burrells Ford Road. At one point those wishing to camp at the Burrells Ford campground could drive right to their campsite, but all that changed when the Chattooga River received the “Wild & Scenic” designation in 1974. Now parking is in a lot just off the gravel road, and requires a ½ mile hike down the old road bed to reach the campground.

The confluence of trails can provide some confusion, and the mileages can be hard to pin down. There are two parking areas: one for the campground, and a second closer to the Chattooga on the edge of Ellicott Rock Wilderness. The Chattooga Trail (blazed green) stays along the river through the campground and emerges at this second parking area, while the Foothills Trail (blazed white) curves away from the river south of the campground and emerges adjacent to the campground parking area. There are several connector trails from the Foothills Trail to the Chattooga Trail, as well as additional spur trails to the waterfalls. Add in to that East Fork Trail leading to the only other road in this corner of the state (Fish Hatchery Road), and the horrible map posted at the trailheads, and you have an idea of why you need to come prepared with a good map if you’re planning on doing any hiking. We used National Geographic’s Sumter National Forest map on our Chattooga Trail hike, but later I utilized a Forest Service map to make a more detailed version of the campground area, as seen here.

Map of Burrells Ford campground area, as adapted from USFS map

But pack enough for a weekend, and plan to explore. Park at the first parking area (for the campground), and follow the road down to the tent sites. You’ve got bear-proof trash receptacles near the restrooms (in reality pit toilets, but luxurious compared to the alternative), and picnic tables, lantern posts, fire rings & bear poles in each campground. Some of the sites are right along the Chattooga, while others are scattered through the woods. Remember to pack appropriately, as your return trip will be all uphill. The walk in possibly deters a portion of the car campers, and the campsites cannot be reserved ahead of time; plan accordingly.

From the campground take a hike to Ellicott Rock Wilderness following the Chattooga Trail; Ellicott Rock is about 4 miles north (one way), but scenic Spoonauger Falls is less than a mile. Or, head south on the Chattooga/Foothills Trail, destination Oconee State Park (16.4 miles), Ridley Fields (11.8 miles), the Bartram Trail junction (8.1 miles) or Cherry Hill campground (about 10 miles?). Of course you could just go ahead and hike the rest of the Foothills Trail - 59.8 miles to Table Rock State Park!

Another option is to stay in the campground; Burrells Ford is the gateway to some of the most premium trout water in the Southeast. The SC DNR stocks the river with rainbow, brown and native brook trout grown nearby at the Fish Hatchery. The river is easily accessed from Chattooga Trail and most of the campsites, and even in October the boys were happy to get their feet wet.

The high point of a stop at Burrells Ford is the proximity to two of the most picturesque waterfalls in South Carolina, King Creek Falls and Spoonauger Falls. King Creek Falls is just west of the campground, and is a 70 foot, tiered waterfall that is less than a mile, roundtrip (about 1.4 there and back if you're starting at the campground parking area).

If you are interested in reading more about the history of the area, the Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited posted this informative article about the Chattooga Coalition.

The US Forest Service Burrells Ford webpage is here. 

More on the Ellicott Rock Wilderness area…

…and my post on the Chattooga Trail is here.