The Carolina Thread Trail partnered with the Great Falls Home Town Association to lead a memorable hike on the Rocky Creek Trail in honor of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 3, 2023. More than 25 hikers from both North and South Carolina signed up for the guided walk, with many visiting Great Falls for the very first time. CTT staff member Brittany led the group along the beautiful creek while Glinda Coleman of GFHTA shared the rich history of the area.
The Rocky Creek Trail offers approximately 2.5 miles of round-trip hiking along Rocky Creek, with the trailhead located in the middle of the trail off U.S. 21 south of Great Falls. Part of the Carolina Thread Trail network, the trail opened in 2009 and was funded by a Recreational Trails Grant from South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Hikers can explore in two directions — heading east to a 40-foot waterfall created during the construction of the Great Falls Dam between 1905 and 1907, or heading west past the U.S. 21 bridge toward rapids and the ruins of multiple 18th and 19th century grist mills.
The Town of Great Falls public works crews prepared the trail with mowing, trash pickup, and extra beautification for the visiting hikers. The area surrounding the trail is protected by the Katawba Valley Land Trust and was designated as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society in 2010, recognizing its significance as a diverse and healthy wildlife habitat. The successful event showcased Great Falls' growing appeal as a nature-based tourism destination.