Peak fall foliage season in SC: Our 5 top picks for leaf-peeping near Greenville, Pickens

McKenzie Lange, Greenville News
·3 min read

As temperatures fall, the canopy of leaves that cover much of Upstate South Carolina will soon follow suit.

These leaves will not go without a spectacular display of colors, vibrant hues of red, orange and yellow blanketing the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills.

"They will probably be at peak toward the end of October, the last week," said Casey Siter, Caesars Head State Park ranger, "we can't always guarantee, it can change last minute. Let's say we get a big storm and the leaves are gone by next week, but typically it peaks at the end of October."

Though not as popular as Asheville and our neighbors to the north where the Blue Ridge Parkway is famous for its fall colors, you can experience the changing of the seasons below the state line.

Leaves begin to change in the Blue Ridge Mountains seen from Sassafras Mountain on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023.
Leaves begin to change in the Blue Ridge Mountains seen from Sassafras Mountain on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023.

"Leaf season is our busiest season so our visitation tends to increase by the hundreds if not thousands, especially during the weekends," said Siter. The parks with reservation systems sometimes turn down hundreds of visitors per day during leaf-peeping season.

"My biggest tip is to plan ahead. If you want to have a smooth trip definitely check websites and plan ahead. If you can get reservations definitely get them," she said. Parks like Jones Gap State Park have a reservation system on the weekends.

Here are our favorite leaf-peeping spots in Upstate SC:

Sassafras Mountain Observation Tower

About an hour northwest of Greenville, in Pickens County, Sassafras Mountain is the highest peak in SC with an elevation of 3,554 feet offering a 360-degree view of the mountains. The tower is easily accessible and is free to the public.

Ed Moorer, of Easley, volunteer for Hawk Migration Association of America, tracks hawks at the end of the yearly hawk migration as leaves begin to change in the Blue Ridge Mountains seen from Sassafras Mountain on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023.
Ed Moorer, of Easley, volunteer for Hawk Migration Association of America, tracks hawks at the end of the yearly hawk migration as leaves begin to change in the Blue Ridge Mountains seen from Sassafras Mountain on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Caesars Head State Park

Located less than an hour northwest of Greenville, Caesar's Head State Park Overlook is easily accessible and free to the public. There is no parking reservation system for this park.

Rosemary Smith, left, and Sharon VanMeter, visiting from Kentucky, check out the leaves as they begin to change in the Blue Ridge Mountains seen from Caesars Head State Park on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023.
Rosemary Smith, left, and Sharon VanMeter, visiting from Kentucky, check out the leaves as they begin to change in the Blue Ridge Mountains seen from Caesars Head State Park on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Bald Rock Heritage Preserve

Bald Rock is a roadside pull-off along Geer Highway with a panoramic view, just ten minutes down the road from Caesars Head State Park. Parking is located along the highway. It is easily accessible and is free to the public.

Jones Gap State Park - Jones Gap Falls Trail

To be immersed in the fall foliage, Jones Gap Falls offers the perfect experience, according to Caesar's Head State Park ranger Casey Sider. Located about 45 minutes northwest of Greenville in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, this 3-mile out-and-back moderate trail is perfect for anyone trying to experience the foliage up close. There is a fee for this park and a parking reservation is required on the weekends. Check out the South Carolina State Parks website to book a reservation.

Foliage begins to turn color at Jones Gap State Park as the leaves begin to change in the Blue Ridge Mountains on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023.
Foliage begins to turn color at Jones Gap State Park as the leaves begin to change in the Blue Ridge Mountains on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2023.

Paris Mountain State Park

Paris Mountain is only about 20 minutes northeast of Greenville and has seemingly endless trails to explore, from short, easy walks to challenging hikes with elevation gain. There is currently no reservation system for Paris Mountain State Park but there is an entrance fee. This is a busy park and can fill up fast. Park rangers will close the entrance for visitors if they reach capacity.

Reach Greenville News photographer McKenzie Lange via email at mlange@greenvillenews.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Fall foliage in SC: Top spots for leaf-peeping in Greenville, Pickens