Discover the Highest Point in South Carolina

Written by Dayva Segal
Updated: July 25, 2023
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South Carolina is a beautiful state that is perhaps most well-known for its lovely beaches, historic cities, and green golf courses. It is also known for delicious barbecue food and is considered by some to be the place where sweet tea was first invented. It is also known for a section of the state that includes a stretch of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, where the tallest point in South Carolina is located. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a part of the Appalachian Mountains.

Places to visit near Sassafras Mountain include Ceasar’s Head State Park and DuPont State Forest.

What is the Tallest Peak in South Carolina?

Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in the state of South Carolina. This mountain is located on the state’s border with North Carolina. So, part of the mountain is in the other state, but the summit is squarely in South Carolina. It is 3,553 feet tall.

Sassafras Mountain

The Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in South Carolina.

©Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.com

Before 2019, the summit of Sassafras Mountain was not easy to visit. The road was hard to navigate, and there were so many trees at the top that there wasn’t a good view. In 2010, a group of people who wanted to make the tallest peak in the state more accessible started to devise a plan. In 2019, the newly developed summit opened. It now has an observation tower, a wheelchair-accessible (but steep) path, and bathrooms near the parking lot. So, everyone can enjoy the view!

How to Get to Sassafras Mountain in South Carolina

Sassafras Mountain is located off a local road called the F. Van Clayton Highway. To get to this road, take exit 21 from I-85 and go north on US Route 178 to a small town called Rocky Bottom. Once you get to the F. Van Clayton Highway, follow it for about 4.7 miles, and you will reach the parking lot for the summit. From this parking lot, it is only 300 feet to the top on an easy path.

Can You Hike to the Top of Sassafras Mountain in South Carolina?

Sassafras Mountain

It is possible to hike to the top of Sassafras Mountain.

©Beth Benson/Shutterstock.com

If you are a more intrepid hiker and want to experience the beauty of the mountain up close, you can hike to the top. There is a longer out-and-back hike you can do from US Route 178. It is on the Foothills Trail. To get there, park near the Laurel Valley Trailhead and start hiking! This is also a good option for winters when the road up the mountain to the summit might be a bit dangerous and icy to drive up.

What Else Can You Do in the Area?

Fishing, Magnet, Adult, Day, Dry

You can fish in the area around Sassafras Mountain.

©iStock.com/[email protected] kevin

This area of South Carolina is fantastic for nature lovers. There are plenty of hiking opportunities in multiple nearby state parks. Caesar’s Head State Park is just 20 miles away and offers waterfall hikes, opportunities for fishing, and space for camping. There is also Devil’s Fork State Park, which is about 25 miles away in the opposite direction. This park sits on a beautiful lake where you can go fishing or camping. If you don’t like to rough it, you can stay at one of the lovely golf clubs and resorts in the area.

Other Tall Peaks in South Carolina

pinnacle mountain

Pinnacle Mountain is the second-tallest point in South Carolina.

©Thomson200 / Creative Commons – License

Sassafras Mountain isn’t the only tall peak in South Carolina. The second tallest point in the state is Pinnacle Mountain at 3,415 feet. It is located just 15 miles away from Sassafras Mountain.

Coldbranch Mountain is the third tallest peak in the state. It is 3,333 feet tall. Even though it is in the next county over, it is just about 15 miles away and is part of the same stretch of mountains as Sassafras Mountain.

The rest of the top 10 peaks in descending order of height are:

4. Fork Mountain at 3,255 feet tall

5. Hogback Mountain at 3,209 feet tall

6. Table Rock at 3,127 feet tall

7. Rich Mountain at 3,025 feet tall

8. Walnut Mountain at 2,736 feet tall

9. Big Stakey Mountain at 2,592 feet tall

10. Laurel Fork Mountain at 2,559 feet tall

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Dayva is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering astrology, animals, and geography. She has over 12 years of experience as a writer, and graduated from Hofstra University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Music and a Minor in French. She has also completed course work in Core Strengths Coaching, Hypnotherapy, and Technical Communication. Dayva lives in the SF Bay Area with her cute but very shy cat, Tula.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is the tallest peak in South Carolina?

Sassafras Mountain is the tallest peak in the state of South Carolina.

How tall is Sassafras Mountain in South Carolina?

Sassafras Mountain is 3,554 feet tall.

What is the second tallest peak in South Carolina?

The second tallest point in South Carolina is Pinnacle Mountain at 3,415 feet. It is located just 15 miles away from Sassafras Mountain, the state’s tallest peak.

What is the third tallest peak in South Carolina?

Coldbranch Mountain is the third tallest peak in the state of South Carolina. It is 3,333 feet tall.

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Sources
  1. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Available here: https://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/2019/apr/apr22_sassafras.php