7 Small Towns In South Carolina That Come Alive In The Fall

While a popular year-round travel destination, South Carolina is an especially attractive US state to visit in the fall. The autumn months bring with them a magnificent palette of color as the leaves change, turning places like the South Carolina Mountains into a road trip mecca for leaf peepers from far and wide. If this sounds like you, mark your calendars for October when the leaves change from green to red, orange, yellow, and gold, reaching their peak in the latter part of the month or early November. As a general rule of thumb, the fall foliage in South Carolina usually starts in the higher elevations before spreading to the state’s low country and coastal areas.

While it’s tempting to head off into dense forests to enjoy the spectacle, don’t forget that many of the state’s most picturesque towns and cities offer an alternative view of this annual event. And if you do head out into the remoter corners of the state, these small towns that come alive in the fall also serve as great places from which to venture out and explore.

Pickens

The picturesque small community of Pickens, with a population of just 3,370, is a great jumping-off point for those wanting to experience the ultimate South Carolina fall color spectacle: Table Rock. Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Pickens, Table Rock State Park draws countless leaf peepers from across the state and beyond as they tour the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway in search of the perfect vantage point.

Some of the best views here are quite easy to get to, with some even being enjoyed without leaving your vehicle. But there’s ample parking, so be sure to pull over and explore at least some of the over 12 miles of trails, camera at the ready. Favorite views include those from the Table Rock Nature Center, the Table Rock Viewpoint, and the Table Rock Summit Trailhead, all accessible by car.

Long Creek

Long Creek is close to the border between North and South Carolina and is where you’ll find Brasstown Falls, another great spot to see the fall colors. With just 96 residents, the town itself has little to offer by way of attractions, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a prettier place to visit once the leaves change color.

From Long Creek, it’s just a 15-minute, six-mile drive to the trailhead along Brasstown Road. The drive is pretty as you’ll follow Brasstown Creek through the heavily wooded countryside. It’s a short hike from the trailhead to Brasstown Falls themselves, a spectacular three-in-one waterfalls (Brasstown Cascades, Brasstown Veil, and Brasstown Sluice) that are worth visiting. Pedestrian traffic can sometimes be heavy, so if you can, arrive early.

Walhalla

The Falling Waters Scenic Byway is a pleasant drive at any time of year but is especially lovely in autumn. Starting in Walhalla, home to 4,000 residents, point your vehicle northwards toward the Blue Ridge Escarpment; you’ll see this beautiful mountain range rising from the farmland surrounding Walhalla.

This pleasant 13-mile drive will provide a few options for scenic viewpoints. The first, Stumphouse Mountain, is a great place for mountain bikers and hikers alike, so it is ideal for adventurous types. A favorite for many is Oconee State Park. Here, you’ll find a great visitor center (with facilities) that overlooks a lake, plenty of parking, and a mix of trails to get you to a variety of pleasant viewing points. Back in Walhalla, check into the Bolt Farm Treehouse for a magical fall experience.

Cleveland

The small town of Cleveland serves as a fantastic place to begin your South Carolina fall color tour. This normally tranquil community has a population of just 1,340, but come October, it’s inundated with leaf peepers heading to Caesars Head State Park to witness the fall color spectacle.

The last part of this nearly 13-mile drive is windy as you pass through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, but the views from the park’s Caesars Head Overlook are simply stunning. Spreading before you is the Blue Ridge escarpment in all its splendor, the colorful tree canopy stretching all the way toward Georgia and North Carolina. Adventure seekers will want to hit the trails here, while those who don’t mind a little extra driving can continue to the famous “Pretty Place” cliffside chapel in YMCA Camp Greenville.

Gaffney

Considered South Carolina’s peach capital, this small town of 12,400 souls is as pretty when the fall colors arrive as it is in spring when its famous peach trees are blossoming.

From Gaffney, it’s just a 12-mile drive to Cowpens National Battlefield, where one of the war’s most important battles took place. This impressive attraction is nice to visit in October when the fall colors are peaking, especially if you follow the nearly 1.5-mile-long battlefield trail to see the foliage. There’s also a visitor center here with fascinating exhibits about the battle and great facilities. 

Landrum

The small South Carolina town of Landrum, located just a few miles from the border with North Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is well known for its picturesque historic bridges. Campbell's Covered Bridge is an easy 15-minute scenic drive away. Constructed in 1909, this charming, red-painted covered bridge looks especially nice when silhouetted against a background of fall colors.

Though a little further away (it’s about a 20-minute drive), Poinsett Bridge is another great subject for a fall color tour. Built in 1820 and the oldest covered bridge in South Carolina, it stretches for 130 feet across Little Gap Creek, presenting a truly unique photo opportunity.

Clinton

An hour’s drive north of Columbia, the state capital, the town of Clinton is a great place to visit during the fall months. After exploring this college town’s downtown area on foot, hop in the car and make the drive to the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site.

Known for its wildlife and a popular spot for birdwatching, it was here in 1780 that British and American troops fought one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolutionary War, which brought independence. A visit in October has the added benefit of one of the prettiest fall color displays in Upstate, South Carolina.

As beautiful as it is at other times of the year, there is something truly special about a visit and a driving tour around South Carolina in the fall. From the magnificent fall foliage colors in the state and national parks along the Blue Ridge Mountains to the parks and gardens of its urban areas, there is plenty to see and do in and around these small towns in South Carolina that come alive in the fall.