Fall in South Carolina Means Nature in All Its Pageantry

It’s the time of harvest, the moment when the mad dash to make the most of summer is finally gone. The breeze turns from a warm embrace to a cool caress. And on the East Coast, nature starts its spectacular fall show.

There’s no denying the seasonal magic that only fall can provide – and it’s no wonder that it’s many people’s favorite season. The forest floor is dappled with leaves ranging in dimension from yellowy green to orange, red gold and purple to oaken shakes of brown. Walk on them, and you hear the crunch of nature in motion beneath your feet. Gaze out across the brooks and streams and you can watch leaves dance on the wind until the water carries them out of sight. In another direction, sunlight streams through the trees as they lose their summer green and begin to prepare for the first chill they somehow know is on the way.

Being from the West Coast, fall foliage has always been a bit foreign to me, but also all the more enchanting because it’s such a different phenomenon from what I grew up experiencing. But it’s New England (perhaps because it was so well brought to life by the painter Norman Rockwell) that gets all the publicity. Little did I know (until I recently visited) that South Carolina provides some of the most vivid colors of the season.

SC boasts twelve State Parks and they’re stunningly beautiful. I got lucky and we got to spend time roaming numerous state parks in the upstate area that present fabulous opportunities to view the fall foliage when it’s at its peak. Just a few of the most rewarding: Caesar’s Head State Park, Chester State Park, Devil’s Fork State Park, Jones Gap State Park, Keowee-Taxoway State Park,
and Kings Mountain State Park. Come for a visit and I guarantee: you’re sure to fall in love …

Enjoy new highlights of travel photographer Edwin Santiago’s journeys each week.