For travelers winding along the mountain roads of Oconee County, happening upon Moody Spring just outside of Walhalla makes for an interesting – and refreshing – stop. The spring is named for one of the area’s early families and today provides benches for sitting and sipping the cool mountain water. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources defines a spring as “a place where groundwater flows naturally from rock or soil onto the land surface or into a body of water.” Moody Spring flows at a rate of 1.5 gallons per minute.
Local lore claims that the ghost of a hitchhiker waits for rides along this stretch of road in the Sumter National Forest. The story surrounds a pilot from the Upstate named Larry Stevens who crashed near the spring on a rainy night in the 1950s. His apparition is said to appear at the spring on rainy nights, leaving a pool of water in the car of those who dare to give him a ride.
We would like to make this page better. Do you have information – or ghostly encounters – about Moody Spring that you would like to share? If so, please send it to the South Carolina Picture Project. Thank you!
We visited the spring about 2 weeks ago and, sadly, it still wasn’t running from the pipe.
I visited the spring last month (8/2020) and it’s been damaged. The rocks surrounding the spring are damaged and the water is flowing underneath the rocks. Who would be in charge of fixing this? We go there all the time for our spring water.
The spring is back up and running. Trump gave them 1.3 million to do repairs in the area and they put a new filter in and the cold clean water is up and running again at last.
Thank you for letting us know, that is wonderful that is back up and running!
I was there March 27 and the spring was leaking all over the place and the flow from the pipe was barely a trickle. I hope they fix the spring as the water from the base and top of the spring will mean disaster if not fixed for the highway. I truly enjoyed the spring for a many of years and disappointed the flow has not been repaired yet.
Have been to the spring twice in the last two months, and it’s not flowing anymore. I didn’t think Moody was seasonal. Does anyone know if it’s maybe flowing again? I’m super sad; this was the only water I would drink.
Oh no, thank you for letting us know. We hope it is flowing again soon and will let you know if we hear anything!
It it so old. The highway department is doing repairs on it this week It’s been running out in the road and freezing. Making driving dangerous
Just visited Moody Springs. The water is cold and so refreshing. I only brought 6 one-gallon containers, but next time I’ll bring more. Take a ride and enjoy a nice ice cold glass of water, sit on the seats and relax.
YES. Larry Stevens is for real. I’ve seen this apparition with my own eyes. I’m so glad we didn’t give him a ride. I assure you, he does exist.
How accurate is your location on the map? Another website puts the spot further north on Highway 107. Thanks
It is spot on. If you put 34.945289, -83.089494 into Google Maps and look at Street View you’ll be right on the spring. Hope this helps!