Soon we will be fascinated with the beautiful colors that the season brings. We have several folks providing us with a Fall Foliage Report from various locations in the Upcountry of South Carolina.
October 21, 2026
Fall colors are beginning to make their appearance here at The Red Horse Inn! The early-changing trees are showing beautiful shades of red, orange, and gold, with the surrounding hardwoods soon to follow. We expect even more color as Halloween approaches and into early November. It’s a wonderful time to plan a fall getaway, explore the scenic Blue Ridge foothills, and enjoy the changing leaves. Make it an overnight stay and experience the beauty of autumn in the Upcountry! Christian at The Red Horse Inn
The green is slowly giving way to color in the mountains of the Upstate. These delightful, crisp mornings mean the leaves are finally changing. Here at Solitude Pointe Cabins and RV Park, we’re still seeing lots of red, and yellow won’t be far behind. If the past repeats itself, we’ll be seeing peak colors at the end of next week. Amy
October 20, 2026
Scenic Hwy. 11 is showing off some nice fall color this week, with red sourwood trees still taking the lead! Other colors are more subtle, but growing brighter under crisp, clear blue skies. The fade of green continues around the shores of Lake Jocassee, and on sunny days like this, there is plenty of color to see, with beeches growing more golden by the day, and bright yellow grape vines draped over evergreen rhododendrons. Look closely… Carolina rhodos are putting out some autumn blossoms! Kay Wade with Jocassee Lake Tours
October 14, 2026
Week 3 of our fall foliage report is bringing some bold color to Table Rock State Park! We’re seeing deep, dark reds popping throughout the park, and our sourwoods are putting on a beautiful show. This week’s featured sourwood is almost entirely red, with just a little green hanging on!
Keep an eye out for those rich reds as you explore the park, and enjoy these beautiful autumn days while they last. Ranger Ashley Audette
October 12, 2026
Turn down Jocassee Lake Road, and summer green is fading. Chlorophyll slowly degrades in tulip poplars and hickory trees, but the understory of these dense woods is where we find color this week. Paler than they will be, these trees, but blushing brighter by the day. In dappled light, pastel leaves of sourwoods and dogwoods are–as usual–stealing the show from the deeply red leaves decorating sparkleberries and black gums. Out and about on Lake Jocassee, the fade is more pronounced against sloping mountainsides. The pastel colors remind one of fresh peaches, and mangos, and apricots. Black locusts release their yellow leaflets, one at a time, into the smooth, calm water. Kay Wade with Jocassee Lake Tours
The mornings are cool and crisp, the afternoons are delightful and the trees are beginning to show some red and yellow color. It’s our favorite time of year at Solitude Pointe Cabins and RV Park. Amy
October 8, 2026
Fall color is slowly making its way across Table Rock State Park! We’re still seeing plenty of green throughout the park, but if you look closely, you’ll start to spot those first little pops of autumn color. This week’s featured tree is one of our beautiful Tulip Trees, also known as Yellow Poplar or Tulip Poplar. Its large leaves are beginning to turn a beautiful golden yellow, giving us another sign that fall is on its way! Ranger Ashley Audette
October 5, 2026
Anyone who loves this slow, steady transition to autumn should come to Jocassee in early October! From blushing dogwood with their scarlet seeds to the checkerboard colors of black gum trees to the evermore luminous color of sourwoods, seasonal changes are more evident every day. And don’t forget to look for fall flowers on the roadsides! Sunflowers and silver leaved asters and goldenrods are an almost identical shade of golden yellow, mixing with blue asters and mistflower to create quite a show! Our local parks are wonderful places to tune in, slow down, and enjoy the progression! Kay Wade with Jocassee Lake Tours
Things at Solitude Pointe Cabins and RV Park are still mostly green. But as you can see, the reds are starting to show their beautiful color. Amy
At South Cove County Park on Lake Keowee, the foliage is still mostly green, with just a handful of trees beginning to show a hint of fall color. Based on what we’re seeing now, Seneca is in the very early stages of the season. More noticeable color will likely develop over the next 2-3 weeks on Lake Keowee. Peak leaf colors can be expected very late in October or early November. Caroline Beaty with VisitOconeeSC.
October 1, 2026
Fall is just beginning to make its appearance here at Table Rock State Park! While most of our trees are still green, we’re starting to spot the first hints of color. Red Maples, Dogwoods, Sweetgums, and Tulip Poplars are beginning to change, with a few leaves showing off beautiful shades of red, yellow, and gold. Sometimes you don’t have to look far to find fall – this week, one little red leaf on a Red Maple is stealing the show! These subtle changes are a reminder that fall foliage is a gradual process, and every week brings something new to discover. Ranger Ashley Audette
Good morning from Solitude Pointe Cabins and RV Park. It’s going to be another glorious fall day in the mountains. The trees are still mostly green, but we expect peak color to be the end of October. Amy
Did You Know? Without Chlorophyl, leaves would be “Fall colors” year-round. Chlorophyl is the green pigment that allows plants to absorb sunlight and make food through photosynthesis. As the days get shorter in the Fall, the production of Chlorophyll slows down and eventually stops, letting the leaves’ “true” color show.
Keep a live look on the fall foliage from the Upcountry with our Table Rock webcam, and don’t miss SC State Park’s fall foliage reports posted each Thursday here.
What we have to look forward to:
Also, check out this story on fall foliage viewing in our state parks and visit our State Parks Facebook Page and post your best photos of fall foliage across our parks.
Looking for an easy fall hike? Check out this story about three beautiful hikes to take this fall!
Best Parks for Fall Foliage Viewing
- Caesars Head State Park
- Chester State Park
- Devils Fork State Park
- Jones Gap State Park
- Keowee-Toxaway State Park
- Kings Mountain State Park
- Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
- Oconee State Park
- Oconee Station State Historic Site
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Poinsett State Park
- Table Rock State Park
Read more about color change and autumn here.
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Read more at our comprehensive fall color guide: Finding Fall Foliage in Upcountry South Carolina.