Spoonauger Falls - Trail Guide

About a year ago, I accidentally happened upon this trail and the bottom of Spoonauger Falls with a friend of mine when we had failed at finding another waterfall...one I still aim to find....and we thought we had found Spoonauger falls at the time, then later realized somehow, we missed it. We had been SO CLOSE! Feet away were we from the falls. We actually came to the bottom but missed seeing the top and most impressive part that people come to see. So let me help you not repeat our mistake which was actually a silly one to make!

This trail is an out and back totaling .9 miles. AllTrails says it is .6 total but it is not. I'm not the only one to report that mileage is wrong. It is .9 out and back total. Of course I clocked a little more due to climbing and adventuring around the Chattooga River as well; but I am only giving you the total of the trail itself - which is .9mi.

This trail is easy and for all skill levels. 

Address & Parking:   In your Google GPS, type, Chattooga River Trail (trail-head). This will take you to exactly where you need to park. When you make your final turn to get you where you are going, you will see signs for King Creek Falls (another great one to hike while you're here, by the way, if interested in this hike as well, click here.) The road you last turn on to begins paved and will soon become gravel. Eventually on your left, you will pass a parking lot for "Burrell's Ford Campground." Don't park here for this particular hike, (but do park there for King Creek Falls hike). Just pass it and go down a wee bit further until you see a trailhead post on your right. (My GPS actually told me my destination was on my left...it's the trailhead on your RIGHT. There is another trailhead post with green blazes on the left, however; this is not for you if you are doing Spoonauger Falls.) You can pull off to the side by the trailhead on the right to park. Plenty of space. 

The trailhead kiosk has a map you can view before you get started. Your starting trail is called the "Chattooga River Trail." You will begin this trail and the Chattooga River will run parallel with you to your left. 

Above: Your trailhead aka: The Chattooga River Trail

Again, the trail is very short, so it won't be too long before you cross a few small, shallow, muddy, creek beds. One mud pit is covered magnificently with log planks like a small bridge. Very innovative of someone. There is only one larger yet still small creek bed crossing with plenty of rocks and logs to go across. Toddlers can do this, all people can do this. Also - my dog could do it. Dog friendly. 

Once you are past the fuller creek bed you will see a fork to the right with a post declaring "Spn Auger Falls --> .1 mi." I don't know if this mileage is correct, maybe it is correct to the bottom of the falls which you will quickly approach on your right as you head this way; and while the bottom of the falls is pretty, you haven't seen what you came for just yet! When you see the first bit of the bottom of the waterfall on your right, admire it, then look left for a trail going upwards and go up it. You're very close. There will be about 3 quick and short switchbacks up the mountain side, now. And before you know it, BOOM! Waterfall!! You can get right up to it and it's gorgeous self. Have a pic-nic and take photos and relax in it's mist. 

On your way back to the car, go back the way you came, remember when you come back to the fork you took, to go back to the left now, with the river now on your right as you continue back to the car. Feel free to pause at the river to play. Ellie and I played in the sand and read books and Blondie swam in the shallow bits of river bed. Then, home we went. 

I hope y'all enjoy this easy little hike! Again, if you want more out of your trip here, hop over to King Creek Falls by parking at Burrell's Ford Campground a few feet away.