How can I write this article in a way that does South Carolina justice? There's no way I could get away with just saying that the ENTIRE state is a total photo-taking paradise and just call it a day (even though I wouldn't be lying.) No, that just won't do and doesn't make for a very good article. So instead of that, here are 12 amazing places in South Carolina that will make you wish you owned your own darkroom!
It's so difficult to pick and choose with a topic like this one, but I think I got the cream of the crop here. Every photographer is going to have their special place and I can tell you that there are a lot of places that are well kept secret, but these 12 places will give you hours of wonderful photography. Do you have a special place that you feel is a photographer's paradise? Do you want to share it with us? If so, please do in the comments below.
South Carolina may never rank as a top ten place to view fall foliage, but that doesn’t mean our state doesn’t get some beautiful autumn color. In fact, each year as the fall season approaches many wonder: When do leaves change color in South Carolina? And if you’ve ever felt that our state got a raw deal when it comes to pretty, colorful leaves during the fall, you may change your mind after seeing our suggestions for the best times and places to go leaf-looking around here, as shown on the South Carolina fall foliage map 2024:
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As you can see from the map when you change the date, the colors of fall in South Carolina are expected to reach their peak by the end of October and into the early days of November. The best places to view the colors of fall in South Carolina really depends on what type of scenery you prefer.
If you're at a higher elevation such as in the mountains, you're able to see vibrant foliage for miles! One interesting vantage point to see fall colors in South Carolina is from a suspension bridge like this one along the Gum Gap Trail in Caesar's Head State Park, located in Cleveland within the area predicted to peak around the middle of October.Another trail within this state park, Dismal Trail Loop, was named by Travel + Leisure as a best hike in North America for fall.
There's something about beautiful autumn color framing water features, like with this waterfall in Table Rock State Park in Pickens, another location for your mid-October leaf-looking adventures.
The Fred W. Symmes Chapel, known as Pretty Place because of its incredible views, is a wonderful fall foliage viewing spot in South Carolina. A part of YMCA Camp Greenville, located in Cleveland, be sure to check the visitation schedule before visiting to ensure it's open to the public during the time of your visit.
Located in Landrum, Campbells Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge remaining in South Carolina. You'll see the best fall color at this spot around the middle of October. This expansive view comes from Jumping Off Rock Overlook in Sunset, which is predicted to peak around the same time.
Issaqueena Falls, a 100-foot cascade waterfall in Walhalla, makes for one of the most picturesque fall landscapes in South Carolina and it's even more beautiful surrounded by fall foliage! Prefer a serene lake scene? Lake Jocassee's undeveloped shoreline makes another postcard-worthy fall sight that looks like it will be best seen about the third week of October.
Predicting what nature will do is a difficult task and is successful at times, while others not so much. Time will tell how good these predictions are! We do hope the information is helpful as you plan out your fall foliage adventures for this year.
What is your favorite South Carolina spot for viewing fall foliage?
There's a certain beauty that surrounds something being reclaimed by nature. Granted, some things take much longer to break down than others. But if you leave something unattended long enough the same process always begins. Here are some abandoned places in South Carolina that may surprise you.
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1. A forgotten house is starting to blend into the surrounding landscape in Waterloo.
8. This playground looks like at one point it was both fun AND safe. It was photographed several years ago at an abandoned motel off I-95 in South Carolina.
13. If you try, you can almost hear the voices of the traveling children who once played in this now-defunct pool at an abandoned motel in South Carolina.
Have you seen any of these or other abandoned places in South Carolina? Let us know in the comments. If you want to explore abandoned towns in South Carolina, take a look at Ellenton.
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If you enjoy photographing abandoned places, check out the camera gear from our friends at REI.
