National Forest·South Carolina·638,394 acres
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
Forecast issued Nov 10, 7:57am ET
Roadsides and wetland edges turn first, and the woods behind them run a few days later.
Weather Hard frost Saturday night. Peak may come early and go fast.
No new reports from the ground here this week.
When is peak fall foliage at Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests in 2026?
Our forecast puts peak color at Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests around Nov 8, and the four days to aim for are Nov 7 to 10.
The forest runs from about 0 to 3,462 feet, and the color comes downhill over about 11 days: the high stands around Oct 30, the low ground around Nov 10. That's 3 days later than our model alone would say, because this September has been running warm.
| Week | In the forest | Elevation at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 12 to Oct 18 | Starting to turn | |
| Oct 19 to Oct 25 | Starting to turn | |
| Oct 26 to Nov 1 | Nearly peak | 3,000 to 4,000 ft |
| Nov 2 to Nov 8 | Peak color | 1,000 to 2,000 ft |
| Nov 9 to Nov 15 this week | Peak color | -1,000 to 0 ft, 0 to 1,000 ft |
| Nov 16 to Nov 22 | Just past peak |
- 3,000–4,000 ftJust past peakpeak Oct 307%
- 1,000–2,000 ftJust past peakpeak Nov 44%
- 0–1,000 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 976%
- -1,000–0 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 109%
Height off 3DEP inside the forest’s own boundary; each band carries the date our model gives that elevation, corrections and all. The percentage is how much of the forest stands in it.
That’s 3 days later than our model alone would say. This September has been running warm, which shifts peak color.
Plan this tripIf you can only come on certain days
Set the days you can be here. Everything under them answers for those days, not for peak.
Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 8
You’ll find it peak color up high, nearly peak lower down.
Up at 0 feet the stands peak around Nov 9; down at 0 feet they hold on until about Nov 10. Pick your elevation for the day you come.
- 0–1,000 ftPeak colorpeak Nov 9
- -1,000–0 ftNearly peakpeak Nov 10
- Where to drive
- Blue Ridge Parkway (NC Section), about 145 miles
- What turns
- white oak, red maple, northern red oak, shagbark hickory, blackgum
What turns, and when
- white oak21%
- red maple21%
- northern red oak20%
- shagbark hickory10%
- blackgum7%
- sweetgum6%
Also named across South Carolina, outside what the canopy read measures here: Tulip Poplar.
The Blue Ridge escarpment in the northwest corner produces mountain color that drops off dramatically into the Piedmont, with maples and tulip poplars providing the best displays.
Questions people ask about Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
- When is peak fall foliage at Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests?
Our forecast puts peak color at Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests around Nov 8, and the four days to aim for are Nov 7 to 10.
- Where is the best fall color at Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests right now?
On Nov 10 the forest is peak color. By elevation, the color is at peak at -1,000 to 0 feet and 0 to 1,000 feet.
- How long does peak last at Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests?
About four days at the top, Nov 7 to 10, with a week or so either side that's still worth the drive. Across the forest's elevations the color moves over about 11 days, so there's peak color somewhere in it for roughly 15 days.
- Is Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests past peak?
No. It's at peak now, on Nov 10, and the four days to aim for are Nov 7 to 10.
- What trees turn color at Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests?
Red Maple, Sweetgum, Tulip Poplar, Hickory, White Oak. The Blue Ridge escarpment in the northwest corner produces mountain color that drops off dramatically into the Piedmont, with maples and tulip poplars providing the best displays.
This forecast is built from the species that stand here, their elevation and this September’s weather, and corrected in season by cameras, foresters and our own crew. We score it here against 7 long-running forest cameras: two dates in three land within 13 days of the camera’s own peak. How this map is made
Nearby, and when they turn
- Peak Nov 4 best Nov 3 to 6
- Peak Oct 24 best Oct 23 to 26
- Peak Oct 20 best Oct 19 to 22
- Peak Oct 26 best Oct 25 to 28
- Peak Oct 21 best Oct 20 to 23
- Peak Oct 26 best Oct 25 to 28
Fall color roads near Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
Nearest first. Distances are straight-line from the forest, so allow more by road.
- Blue Ridge Parkway (NC Section)
Mile markers 217 to 469. The highest and most dramatic section. Waterrock Knob, Craggy Gardens, and Graveyard Fields are must-stop overlooks.