Big Bend Falls is a spectacular and extraordinarily powerful waterfall found along the Chattooga Wild & Scenic River. About 20 feet high, Big Bend Falls is the Chattooga's single largest waterfall and lies right on the Georgia-South Carolina border. Despite its small size, this is one of my favorite waterfalls in the region. The sheer size of the river and this broad, block-type waterfall is a sight to behold. The setting feels lush and pristine. Big Bend Falls is one of Georgia's rare waterfalls that is best experienced at lower flow levels, when it splits into four distinct branches. An expansive pool and swimming hole lies a short distance below the falls. 

Big Bend Falls lies near the Chattooga River Trail, which follows the South Carolina side of the river between Burrells Ford Road and Highway 28. A rugged, unmarked scramble path descends steeply from the trail to the base of the falls. Although you can hear the falls from the trail, you have to know it's located here, given the the lack of signage. The path ends at a small ledge affording a close-up side view of Big Bend Falls. However, my favorite views of the falls are from a big rock outcrop on the other side of the river. Getting there requires a waist-deep ford of the river below the falls. This ford is only passable at lower flow. 

The most scenic way to hike to Big Bend Falls is via the Chattooga River Trail from Burrells Ford, which is 3.5 miles each way. The trail also passes the side trail to King Creek Falls along the way. Folks looking for a shorter, more direct hike can approach from the end of Big Bend Road (FR 709).

For detailed directions, see page 384 in Mark Ozboyd's "Waterfalls of Georgia" guidebook.