Here Are The Best Times And Places To View South Carolina's Fall Foliage In 2023
By AnneMarie|Published September 08, 2023
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AnneMarie
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South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
South Carolina may never rank as a top ten place to view fall foliage, but that doesn’t mean our state doesn’t get some beautiful autumn color. In fact, each year as the fall season approaches many wonder: When do leaves change color in South Carolina? And if you’ve ever felt that our state got a raw deal when it comes to pretty, colorful leaves during the fall, you may change your mind after seeing our suggestions for the best times and places to go leaf-looking around here, as shown on the South Carolina fall foliage map 2023:
As you can see from the map when you change the date, the colors of fall in South Carolina are expected to reach their peak in most of the northern portion of the state towards the end of October, with a couple of counties peaking a little earlier. The center areas of the state are predicted to peak during the first week of November, with the southern region showing the best fall colors by the second week of November. The best places to view the colors of fall in South Carolina really depends on what type of scenery you prefer.
If you're at a higher elevation such as in the mountains, you're able to see vibrant foliage for miles! One interesting vantage point to see fall colors in South Carolina is from a suspension bridge like this one along the Gum Gap Trail in Caesar's Head State Park, located in Cleveland within the area predicted to peak around the middle of October.
Another trail within this state park, Dismal Trail Loop, was named by Travel + Leisure as a best hike in North America for fall.
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Table Rock State Park, 158 E Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671, USA
There's something about beautiful autumn color framing water features, like with this waterfall in Table Rock State Park in Pickens, another location for your mid-October leaf-looking adventures.
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Fred W. Symmes Chapel aka "Pretty Place", 100 YMCA Camp Rd, Cleveland, SC 29635, USA
The Fred W. Symmes Chapel, known as Pretty Place because of its incredible views, is a wonderful fall foliage viewing spot in South Carolina. A part of YMCA Camp Greenville, located in Cleveland, be sure to check the visitation schedule before visiting to ensure it's open to the public during the time of your visit.
Located in Landrum, Campbells Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge remaining in South Carolina. You'll see the best fall color at this spot around the middle of October.
Mid-October to Third Week of October
Jumping Off Rock Overlook, 448 Horse Pasture Rd #440, Sunset, SC 29685, USA
Issaqueena Falls, a 100-foot cascade waterfall in Walhalla, makes for one of the most picturesque fall landscapes in South Carolina. This area of the state is looking like it also will peak around the third week of October.
Lake Jocassee's undeveloped shoreline makes another postcard-worthy fall sight that looks like it will be best seen about the third week of October.
Predicting what nature will do is a difficult task and is successful at times, while others not so much. Time will tell how good these predictions are! We do hope the information is helpful as you plan out your fall foliage adventures for this year.
What is your favorite South Carolina spot for viewing fall foliage?
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