It seems like all of South Carolina’s highest peaks have been turned into amazing state parks. We have Table Rock State Park, Caesar’s Head State Park, and even the smaller Paris Mountain State Park (which technically is located at the base of Paris Mountain), but what about Sassafras Mountain? The highest peak in the Palmetto State is on top of Sassafras Mountain, located in Pickens County. But surprisingly, Sassafras wasn’t turned into a bonafide park when the CCC developed the other parks in the 1930s. But that’s about to change. SCDNR is building a 360-degree observation tower, restroom facilities and clearing at least one trail for hiking at the summit.
Unofficially, the new observation tower will be finished in May 2018. Once it opens, you’ll be able to take the short ride up to the top of Sassafras Mountain. (The summit is temporarily closed until then for construction.) Below is a sneak peek at where South Carolina’s highest road takes you.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The short 4.6 miles to the top of Sassafras Mountain takes you on a winding road that climbs a staggering 1,750 feet in elevation before ending at a parking area just short of the summit.
Flickr/Lucid Nightmare
From the parking area on top of the mountain, there is a short walk up to the summit. The path is approximately 300 feet and mostly uphill.
alltrails.com/Bill Watson
Sassafras Mountain is 3,554’ in elevation. The entire mountain serves as part of the border between North and South Carolina, but the peak at Sassafras is located within South Carolina.
alltrails.com/Quentin Broom
Once up at the peak, you’ll be able to see well into North Carolina as well as views to the South into the Palmetto State. During colder months, the view can seem to go on forever. The less humid and cooler air makes it possible to see much farther on a clear day.
alltrails.com/Quentin Broom
Sassafras is in the Blue Ridge Mountains and a part of the Appalachian Mountains. A trail already traverses the mountain ridge. A spur from that trail will take you all the way to the summit of Table Rock, if you’re willing to hike more than 16 miles to get there.
alltrails.com/Bill Watson
Getting to the highest road in South Carolina is easy. Take Highway 178 to Rocky Bottom and then turn onto F Van Clayton Memorial Highway.
Google Maps [streetview enhanced]
South Carolina’s highest road already leads to some of the most incredible views in the state – and it’s about to get even better with the construction of the new observation tower. This is one for the bucket list this year. You can check on the status of the summit’s progress and see when it officially reopens by visiting this link on the website of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/Lucid Nightmare
alltrails.com/Bill Watson
alltrails.com/Quentin Broom
Google Maps [streetview enhanced]
To tide you over until the summit reopens at Sassafras Mountain, here are eight gorgeous country roads in South Carolina for some unforgettable scenic drives.
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