8 Incredible Caves in South Carolina (From Popular Spots to Hidden Treasures)

If caving or spelunking are pastimes of yours, be sure to check out some of the popular and hidden caves in South Carolina. While SC may not have an extensive cave network, it does have a few worth checking out. The parks that go along with the caves are filled with natural wonders, like waterfalls, bridges, rock formations, and more. Some of the other caves would make for a great daytime adventure, even if you don’t find the caves. Most of the caves listed below are located in or near a park with hiking, camping, and other opportunities.

Many of the “caves” in the state are several hundred-year-old wars or slave tunnels that have not yet been preserved. Be sure to watch for no trespassing signs so your adventure doesn’t turn into a different type of adventure behind bars or with a hefty ticket as a souvenir!

1. 40 Acre Rock Heritage Preserve

Location: 2207 Conservancy Rd, Kershaw, SC 29067 803-734-3893

Hours: Open during daylight hours year-round.

Price: Free!

This is a really neat park to visit. There is a massive rock that looks out all around Lancaster County, all the way over to where the Sandhills meet the Piedmont. The rock is 14 acres but looks much larger. It is a giant flat rock, and if you plan your visit during spring, you might see small “lakes” that form on top of the rock. These lakes grow an abundance of flowers, moss, and plants. It’s an amazing thing to see. If you choose to come out during the fall, you will feel that you are on top of the world and surrounded by the beautiful fall leaves as they show off their yellows, oranges, and reds before winter arrives. The park itself covers a massive 2,965 acres in which you will see large granite flat rocks, waterfalls, waterslides, a beaver pond, hardwood, and pine forests, and of course, caves. If you stay on the trail, you will come to the cave. The above-ground landscape is one of a kind. Make sure to bring your flashlight for the cave.

2. Moonshine Falls

Location: 150 Asbury Dr, Cleveland, SC 29635 864-836-3711

Hours: 8 am – 5 pm

Price: Free!

Moonshine Falls is a one-of-a-kind experience with 40-foot-tall double waterfalls. The cave is behind the falls and isn’t too much to see but it is worth the trip. It’s possible that the cave was used to make moonshine. The hike to the falls is 3 miles one way with a 700-foot elevation gain. There is a creek that you will need to cross by wading through, hopping from rock to rock if the water is low enough, or by using the cables to shimmy your way across. The Ashbury Cascade Falls is only 500 feet from the parking lot and is also worth checking out. If you’re feeling especially adventurous, you can take on the more challenging hike to Confusion Falls.

3. Stumphouse Tunnel

Location: Stumphouse Tunnel Rd, Walhalla, SC 29691 GPS Coordinates: 34.809486,-83.122962

Hours: 8:30 am – 8 pm

Price: Free but parking is $5

This is another cool experience in SC. The Stumphouse Tunnel was once part of the 1850s Blue Ridge Railroad project, which was built primarily by Irish immigrants. The railroad project was a failed attempt to connect the Midwest with Charleston, SC. The tunnel is all that remains. Later in 1951, Clemson University used the tunnel to cure their blue cheese for years until moving the cheese to the university. It is a 1/3-mile walk that does require a flashlight. This is a family-friendly cave that stays at a constant 50 degrees. There is a shelter nearby so pack a lunch for a picnic while you are there.

4. Santee State Park

Location: 251 State Park Rd, Santee, SC 29142

Hours: 24 hours a day

Price: $3 per adult, discounts for children and seniors, age 5 and under free

Rumor has it that there are caves along the southern and northern shores of Lake Marion. They are not massive, well-lit, tourist caves, so you will need to bring a change of clothes and a flashlight or two. The caves are big enough that some exploring is in order but be careful for the bats that reside inside the cave.

5. Jones Gap State Park (Misty Cavern Falls)

Location: 303 Jones Gap Rd, Marietta, SC 29661 864-836-3647

Hours: 9 am – 9 pm

Price: $6 for adults, $3.50 for children between ages 6-15, and free for children under 5.

This is another large and photogenic park filled with wildlife, thick forests, trout fishing, scenic rivers, and caves. The park is 3,965 acres and offers hiking for all skill stages. Misty Cavern Falls is a spelunking adventure for those who like a “real” cave experience. The cavern is shallow, so don’t plan on spending your whole day getting through it. The cave is 1.7 miles on the trail with a 15-foot waterfall. Winter is a fun time to photograph the waterfall because it takes on 10-foot icicles, but be careful if you choose to go then since the rocks will be slippery.

Not Caves But Abandoned Mines

6. Sumter National Forest (Parson’s Mountain Gold Mines)

Location: Andrew Pickens Circle, Mt. Rest, SC 29664 864-638-9568

Hours: Open 24 hours a day

Price: Free!

Though they are not marked and it’s up to the hiker to find them, caves are located in Sumter National Forest near the trails. There is very little information regarding the caves online. The best thing you can do if seeking caves in this park is to connect with other caving and spelunking experts in the state. While you’re there, you can explore the gold-prospecting creeks and see what you can come up with.

7. Horseshoe Falls, Musgrove Mill State Historic Site

Location: 398 State Park Rd, Clinton SC 29325 864.938.0100

Hours: 9 am – 6 pm

Price: $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free

Legend says that Mary Musgrove, daughter of the mill’s owner helped hide a Patriot soldier, Galbraith “Horseshoe” Robinson, behind the falls in a cave. It may or may not be true since fact and fiction often blur together when a book or film is based on a place. The book written about Horseshoe Falls is Horse-shoe Robinson by John Pendleton Kennedy. The cave behind the falls certainly has a history and is worth checking out. The waterfalls are 1.3 miles from the parking lot and are not strenuous.

8. Ninety-Six National Historic Site (Ninety-Six Tunnel)

Location: 1103 Hwy 248, Ninety Six, SC 29666

Hours: The tunnels are not open to the public.

Price: N/A

The Ninety-Six National Historic Site has tunnels running under it. The tunnel was dug by Americans in 1781 during the siege of Ninety-Six to place explosives underneath the loyalist-controlled Star Fort. It was not used and that is why it’s still intact today. This tunnel is not open to the public, which is why its exact location is not given. Crews have worked to stabilize and preserve the historic tunnel.

FAQ

Q: What state is the best for exploring caves?

A: Missouri, known as “The Cave State” has over 6,400 registered caves with 20 open to the public. There’s even a cave along Route 66, famous for being a hideout for Jesse James and his gang while they were hiding out from the law. That cave, Miramec Caverns, is the most famous in Missouri.

Q: What are the three most well-known caves in the U.S.?

A: The three most popular caves in the U.S. are Mammoth Cave, located in Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, Carlsbad Caverns located in New Mexico, and Crystal Cave in Pennsylvania.

Q: What are the most popular caverns in the Blue Ridge mountains?

A: Luray Caverns is a popular cave in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is located in Luray, Virginia.

Summary of 8 Incredible Caves in South Carolina