Toward the end of every summer I try to plan some sort of local adventure for my kids and some of their friends and moms (who happen to be my friends).  This summer we decided to drive down to Mountain Rest, SC, to explore Pig Pen and Lick Log Falls.  Unfortunately, the drive took longer than I anticipated so we did not make it all the way to Lick Log Falls, but the kids had so much fun climbing and splashing around at Pig Pen.  Pig Pen Falls is a 25 foot fall along the Chattooga River.  The trail to access the falls was a little tricky to find if using GPS because cell service is limited and the address will take you to the ranger station, not the actual trail.  The SC trails web site has step by step directions that will bring you to the correct parking area, but we definitely second guessed those directions a few times as it felt like we were on a private drive to nowhere.  But, alas, we ended up exactly where we were supposed to be.We brought Publix subs and ate at Pig Pen Falls.  We had the entire place to ourselves, which is mind blowing.  I’ve never done a hike in North or South Carolina where the parking lot and trails weren’t busy.  Maybe it’s because this place is hard to find????  Regardless of the reason, we enjoyed our private oasis immensely!  One thing to note:  we saw quite a bit of glass at the falls and along the banks of the Chattooga, so I would recommend water shoes.

After Pig Pen we wandered a bit further down the trail to a calm, shallow stretch of the Chattooga and the kids swam and dove off rocks.  Although the water was a bit chilly, it was super clear and the kids didn’t seem to mind the temperature.  We made it home just in time for dinner.  All in all, I’d allow a full day for this excursion.  We will definitely go back and plan better, like not hitting rush hour traffic!  Live and learn, right?  The youngest of our hikers is five years old and he didn’t have any issues on the trail.  The hike down to the falls is almost all downhill, which means the hike out is mostly uphill, but nothing too steep.  And since it’s only about a mile each way, it’s totally manageable.  This is a great hike/swimming hole excursion for families!  Opt outside!