South Carolina is synonymous with beautiful outdoor scenery year-round, but the fall is when visitors can enjoy the Palmetto State at its absolute finest. In every direction, you’ll see the glows of reds, oranges, and yellows that bring the great outdoors to life like no other time of year. These rich color palettes combined with cooler temperatures make fall the prime time for camping in South Carolina. The blistering southern heat will be long gone, leaving you with cool breezes and vibrant scenery to keep you company on your nightly adventures under the stars. If you’re in South Carolina during the fall, check out these beautiful camping spots.
Home to the famed Jocassee Gorges, this park is ideal for fall campers who are vying for views of fall foliage. The park is enjoyable year-round, given its locale and scenic vistas, but fall visitors will especially love the cooler temperature to enjoy bouldering, fishing, and hiking trails. It’s also in close proximity to a number of other parks and trail systems that are begging to be explored.
Autumn colors abound in this beautiful park nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Campers will love exploring the two short-but-sweet hiking trails here that will let them soak in all the sights and sounds of Mother Nature in the fall. Guests can camp right next to the shoreline of Lake Jocassee, a pristine lake that showcases some of the best outdoor scenery in the state.
If you’re looking for a fall camping experience that lets both you and your horse enjoy all the outdoors has to offer, Croft State Park is your destination. This equine-friendly state park has an abundance of trails you and your horse can traverse together. If you’re not planning on horseback riding, you can enjoy over 12 miles of biking and hiking trails that show you all the natural beauty of South Carolina in the fall.
This picturesque state park features a beautiful lake and plenty of things to see and do. The rates are already reasonable, but campers can score an even lower price on a tent site during lower demand seasons. The park is home to a generous five-mile mountain biking trail that gives visitors great views of the lake since the forest canopy is less dense.
King’s Mountain State Park is an outdoor lover’s dream come true, and there’s no better time to experience all the park has to offer than right after fall chases away the summer heat. Campers love coming here because it’s clean, friendly, and full of low-key activities to enjoy. Visit the National Military Park, enjoy living history demonstrations, or traverse miles of hiking and biking trails throughout the park.
Alli Hill is a freelance content writer and mom of two. She spends most of her free time exploring the great outdoors by trail or by kayak. She is also the founder and director of FreelanceSpeak, a blog to support other freelance creatives.
