Wondering where to spot the best fall foliage around Orangeburg? Here are some of the top locations in the area.
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is an hour away from Orangeburg and is well worth the trip to see the fall colors. You can expect peak fall foliage here during the last week of October and the first week of November, but you should still be able to enjoy the colorful leaves through most of November.
Congaree is famous in the region for the incredible number of trees in the forest areas. The height of the canopy is greater than any other park in the state. Visiting during the fall is an excellent time to explore the different biodiversity. Take the river trail so that you can look out over Congaree River and see even more of the colorful landscape.
You can experience the fall foliage in Congaree park by hiking the trails. You can also rent a canoe or a kayak and exploring the park by paddling down Cedar Creek. There are over 25 miles of hiking trails, but if you’re looking for something less strenuous, try the 2.4-mile flat boardwalks. Most of the park is flat, so even longer hikes aren’t going to be too difficult.
Manchester State Forest
Another great place to see the fall foliage near Orangeburg is Manchester State Forest. It takes just over an hour to get there and is a fun place for kids and adults. Pack the mountain bikes if you want to explore the bike trails. You can also go hiking and jogging along some of the paths in the park. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, explore the trails on horseback.
You can spot many varieties of trees in Manchester State Park. It’s also a good place to bird watch and look for native animals like foxes and turkeys. Pick up a trail map at the park entrance so you can find the best paths to explore the fall foliage.
Santee State Park
If you’re looking for something closer to home, Santee State Park is an ideal option. It only takes 30 minutes to get to the park from downtown Orangeburg, and there’s so much to see and do there.
There are hiking and biking trails of varying difficulty levels. If you simply want to get out and see some fall foliage, take a walk on the Oak Pinolly Trail or the Sinkhole Pond Trail. Both are easy and only one mile long. For something more difficult, test your endurance on the Hiking/Biking Trail, which is 7.5 miles long and moderately difficult.
You can turn it into a weekend of adventure by setting up a tent in one of the camping areas or renting one of the park’s cabins for the weekend. Staying here means you can wake up early and enjoy the beauty of the park and all of the fall colors before it gets too busy with visitors.
Autumn is a great time to explore nearby parks and enjoy all that they have to offer. Pack a picnic and plenty of warm clothes so that you can have a full day of hiking and spotting those incredible fall colors.
Image via Flickr by Kimberly Vardeman
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