Wildcat Wayside — Attraction in Travelers Rest

Wildcat Wayside is a small roadside park in Mountain Bridge Wilderness, right along Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. Originally Greenville Roadside Park, it was built in the early 20th century by the National Park Service as one of six wayside parks in SC. Wildcat Branch Falls is easily visible from the road. The waterfall has two sections and you can climb down from the road to the shallow pool at the base and splash around in the water. A path on the left leads up to the upper section. The trail continues past an old chimney, all that remains of the original wayside park and then makes a loop. At the far end of the loop is Upper Wildcat Branch Falls, a tall waterfall down a cliff. It's high up so will only be impressive in high water. Use caution in this area and don't climb on the cliffs. The trail also passes a third waterfall on a tributary of Wildcat Branch. This one isn't very impressive but you'll pass it hiking the loop. Overall, the loop is around 1 mile and pretty easy. Overall, a great place to stop and stretch you legs along the...

It was a bit confusing once google maps notified us we were at the trailhead, because#: there is no parking lot; just pull off the road shoulder on that side of road (which is clear), and #2: there are state/park-made signs all along that shoulder where you pull off saying "Not for public use" or something. However, those signs are just to protect the private property that borders that shoulder and the park, so just walk towards the creek, and you'll see the 1sr waterfall and a park-made sign up the hill across the creek to start your ascent! Definitely worth the too-short of a hike! I don't like short, easy hikes, but this one is unique and well worth seeing the gorgeous waterfall at the top, as well as the ones in between. I was impressed for a Northern SC waterfall, having grown...

Wildcat Wayside is a fantastic and family friendly trail and park. Accessible directly off highway 11, the parking situation isn't the best, but there's space for roughly 20+/- cars that's open to the public and free. If you're not into hiking, there's a waterfall area right at the entrance where people can get their feet wet and little ones can play. There's also a short trail system, roughly 1.5 miles, that takes you up to 2 or 3 other waterfalls further up the hill. The hike is easy for all skill levels and great for the family to get out and explore. Overall, the park was clean, though certain areas had been tagged with graffiti which was disappointing to see. I would definitely...