12 great leaf peeping destinations in the Carolinas
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Fall is the most gorgeous time of the year in the Carolinas, particularly in the higher altitude Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina mountainous regions. I really love this time of the year. I never knew this region had such gorgeous foliage until I moved here. By the time October rolls around, the summer heat is long gone, the air is dry and crisp, and conditions are perfect for hiking, alfresco dining, and festivals. Tourist crowds have begun to dwindle down, thus making this the ideal time of the year to check out the charming downtowns of Asheville & Greenville, as well as the beautiful state parks surrounding the region.
As the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains dominate the landscape, you can expect a dazzling array of fall colors each autumn. The medley of colors ablaze over the rolling hills creates a picture-perfect setting for any outdoor activity. Fortunately, the area is loaded with amazing hikes, scenic drives, and waterfalls. With one of the longest fall seasons in the country, you have plenty of time to leaf peep and explore. Below are a few of my favorite Carolina leaf peeping destinations to add to your fall bucket list.
1. Caesars Head State Park
This beautiful park in Upstate South Carolinas’ Greenville County is one of the most visited in the state. The park’s immense natural beauty, particularly during the colorful autumn season, makes it a popular local and tourist draw. The drive into the park during the leaf peeping season is spectacular enough in and of itself to justify a visit.
For the non-hikers, there is an incredible observation area (that sits atop an enormous granite outcropping) offering a bird’s eye view of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The park is home to numerous trails, the most impressive being the 2.2 mile out-and-back trek to 400 foot Raven Cliff Falls. Enjoy the fresh air, a decent workout (this trail is moderately steep), and beautiful foliage until reaching a magnificent vista of the state’s tallest waterfall. Visiting Caesars is the perfect fall day out in the South Carolina mountains.
2. Paris Mountain State Park
This small, yet beautiful state park lies just north of Greenville. The park was named after the city’s iconic geographical feature, a 2000 foot mountain which provides a beautiful backdrop to this charming city. This park is beautiful anytime of the year, and even more importantly, attractively quiet as it is not a top tourist destination. Peaceful hiking trails, a serene lake, relaxing Adirondack chairs, and ample woodsy picnicking space add to the tranquil setting.
During the fall season, you will want to take a quiet walk along one of the hiking trails. Start with an easy scenic lakeside stroll via the Lake Placid Loop and then enjoy a lovely picnic amongst the colorful fall surroundings. Paris Mountain is the perfect fall destination for nature lovers, leaf peepers, and anyone else seeking a nice easy stroll through the wilderness during a beautiful time of the year.
3. Catawba Falls
One of the most stunning waterfall hikes in Western North Carolina (and there are many -over 200 in Transylvania County alone!) is also a top leaf peeping destination. Catawba Falls, a 100 foot tall multi level cascading beauty, is easily accessible via a moderate hike. During the fall, the colorful leaves lining the 1.5 mile out-and-back trail will make the trek feel much shorter and easier as you are bound to be preoccupied with the beauty.
I love hiking this trail in fall. The weather is perfect, the leaves are gorgeous, and the ending waterfall view is out-of-this world, especially when surrounded by gorgeous colorful leaves. Fortunately, this trailhead is one of the closest to Asheville (just 30 min), so a super easy daytrip if you happen to be staying in the area. If visiting during October, I recommend putting this one first on your must see list.
Read more about the hike to Catawba
4. Falls Park
This lovely waterfall is the centerpiece of beautiful downtown Greenville. In recent years, this charming Main Street has drawn tourists from around the world. The tree-lined downtown district is lined with unique restaurants and shops, with plenty of alfresco dining options to enjoy during the cool fall months.
The natural oasis of this stunning downtown is Falls Park which features beautiful trees and serene walkways around a small, yet powerful waterfall. You will find plenty of places to sit and enjoy the soothing sounds of the waterfall, plus a beautiful bridge walkway. In autumn, the park and waterfall look especially beautiful when surrounded by the colors of the season. After you stroll enjoy brunch at Passerelle, a charming French bistro which overlooks the park.
5. Table Rock State Park
This quiet Upstate park is most known for its’ namesake mountain, 3000 foot Table Rock which serves as a picturesque backdrop for all hikes. Avid hikers come from all over to complete the challenging trek up Table Rock. However, you do not have to get as rugged to enjoy the beauty of this park. In fact, I often come here just to enjoy leaf peeping along one of the smaller nature trails.
Consider embarking upon the serene and relaxing 2 mile Carrick Creek trail. This heavily forested trail travels through oak-hickory and hemlock forest and features tranquil views of small creeks and waterfalls. Views are even more beautiful in fall when a burst of color paints the forest. The beautiful scenery and isolated setting makes this park a dream destination for leaf peepers and nature buffs. The drive over from Greenville is amazing. Hwy 11 is a great leaf peeping drive.
Read more about the Carrick trail
6. Tom’s Creek
The hidden gem of Western North Carolina is a beautiful undervisited waterfall known as Tom’s Creek. This is quite surprising as the hike to get to this beauty is short and easy, and thus, doable by anyone in basic shape. A hike of just over a half mile leads you to this 60 foot wonder located within the lush Pisgah National Forest. The water cascades in 3 mesmerizing drops, the most impressive the lower near vertical 30 foot drop. The serene setting means you can photograph and enjoy this beauty all to yourself most days.
The beautiful mica embedded in the rocks adds another touch of beauty on sunny days. The mica shines in the sun giving the area a mystical appeal. During the fall, the forest is alive with beautiful colors. If you are lucky you may get to see a glimpse of bright foliage surrounding the falls. If you are looking for something short and beautiful, I recommend making some time for this great hike.
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