When do the leaves change in South Carolina?
Upstate maples and oaks around Table Rock and Caesars Head State Parks turn by late October, while blackwater cypress-tupelo swamps at Congaree National Park hold muted color into November across the Lowcountry.
Peak: November 9–November 13
Color builds from October 27 · mostly bare by December 5
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures (Open-Meteo) drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model; terrain shifts timing ~1 day earlier per 300 m of elevation. Temperature alone can’t tell a maritime autumn from a continental one — two places at the same latitude and the same September can peak weeks apart, because the trees differ — so each region is also calibrated against published peak dates. Estimates, not promises: typically within a few days, occasionally a week or more out. Check locally before you travel.
Known for
Things to do in fall in South Carolina
10 iconic stops — scenic drives, farms, haunts, and the views locals plan their October around.
Table Rock State Park
State parkPeak November 4
A granite monadnock rising 3,124 feet above the Blue Ridge foothills gives this park its name and its signature hike, an 8-mile round trip past Carrick Creek's cascades to a summit view that takes in South Carolina's clearest fall color.
Don’t miss: Table Rock summit trail · Carrick Creek Falls · Pinnacle Lake
South Carolina State Fair
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks November 12
Columbia's Rosewood Drive fairgrounds have hosted the state fair since 1869, with a midway, livestock and agricultural competitions, and deep-fried fair food running twelve days around mid-October each year.
Don’t miss: Held since 1869 · Livestock and agricultural exhibits · Midway and fair food
Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks November 23
An autumn pumpkin patch on the grounds of Boone Hall, a 738-acre plantation founded in 1681 about eight miles from downtown Charleston and famous for its live oak avenue. One of several seasonal events the estate runs through the year.
Don’t miss: 738-acre estate founded in 1681 · Pumpkin patch under the live oaks · Eight miles from downtown Charleston
Denver Downs Farm
Corn mazeColor nearby peaks November 10
An Anderson County farm owned by the Garrison family since 1869, which turns over to a corn maze, fall festival and after-dark Pumpkin Nights each autumn. The farm also runs a sunflower festival earlier in the season and a fall music series.
Don’t miss: Corn maze and fall festival · Pumpkin Nights after dark · Garrison family land since 1869
Ghost City Tours (Charleston)
Ghost tourColor nearby peaks November 24
Charleston's history comes with a dark side, and this outfit walks it after dark. Pick from a family-friendly Ghosts of Liberty tour, a more graphic Death and Depravity tour for older guests, or a haunted pub crawl. Tours run every night of the year, rain or shine, from a meeting point near the waterfront.
Don’t miss: Three tour options, family to adults-only · Nightly departures, year-round · Meets near the historic waterfront
Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery
Cider millColor nearby peaks November 10
An orchard and cider bar in the York County hills south of Charlotte, opening for its fall season in August with pick-your-own apples, cider donuts, and hard cider on tap. The farm stand also sells pre-picked apples and apple pies, with fire pits going on cool evenings.
Don’t miss: Pick-your-own apples · Cider donuts and hard cider bar · Fire pits on the farm stand patio
Legare Farms
FarmColor nearby peaks November 24
A 300-acre working farm on the Stono River outside Charleston, growing vegetables year-round and turning fully seasonal for its annual pumpkin patch and fall festival. Past the pumpkin field there is a small haunted house for older kids, plus the farm's usual CSA boxes and a rolling farmers market.
Don’t miss: Annual pumpkin patch and fall festival · Haunted house for older kids · CSA boxes and farm-fresh produce
South Carolina Apple Festival
Fall festivalColor nearby peaks November 7
Oconee County's harvest celebration takes over downtown Westminster for a weekend each September, with a parade and a rodeo, plus street vendors set against the orchards of nearby Long Creek. It sits at the foot of the Upstate mountains, close to Table Rock and Caesars Head as their color begins to turn.
Don’t miss: Parade and rodeo · Street vendors and craft booths · Foot of the Upstate mountains
Frequently asked
- When do leaves peak in South Carolina in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 9–November 13 (best estimate November 11). Color starts around October 27 and trees are mostly bare by December 5.
- How reliable is the South Carolina forecast?
- The forecast blends recent-year weather normals with photoperiod and elevation; it tightens as the season approaches. Against published peak dates the model lands within a few days for most regions, but it can be a week or more out — mountains and coastlines are the hardest. Higher elevations turn roughly one day earlier per 300 m.
- When is South Carolina's autumn season?
- South Carolina colors during autumn (September–November). Upstate maples and oaks around Table Rock and Caesars Head State Parks turn by late October, while blackwater cypress-tupelo swamps at Congaree National Park hold muted color into November across the Lowcountry.
- What are the best things to do in fall in South Carolina?
- The iconic stops: Table Rock State Park, South Carolina State Fair, Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch, Denver Downs Farm, Ghost City Tours (Charleston), Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery. Every one is mapped on this page with its peak-color timing.
- What are the best things to do in autumn in South Carolina?
- Autumn — autumn (September–November) — is peak season here. Pair the color with Table Rock State Park, South Carolina State Fair, Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch, Denver Downs Farm, Ghost City Tours (Charleston); each is on the map above with the window to catch it.
Nearby & similar
Season by season
2026 (forecast)
Peak November 9–November 13
October 27 → December 5