Fall Things to Do in Upstate South Carolina: Orchards, Pumpkin Patches & Festivals
There’s something about October in Upstate South Carolina that makes you want to get out and explore.
The mornings start getting cooler, pumpkins appear on front porches, the foothills begin changing color, and a Saturday drive through the mountains suddenly sounds like a pretty great idea.
Whether you’ve lived here for years, recently relocated to the Upstate, or you’re visiting and trying to get a feel for the area, fall is one of the best times to experience what this part of South Carolina has to offer.
From apple orchards and pumpkin patches to food festivals, scenic drives and even a festival devoted entirely to Bigfoot, here are some places to add to your 2026 Upstate South Carolina fall bucket list.
🍎 Apple Orchards & Fall Farm Stops
MacGregor Orchard | Travelers Rest, SC
SEASON: Apples and other fruit are available seasonally into the fall.
GOOD FOR: Apples, fresh cider, local products and a stop along Scenic Highway 11.
DON’T MISS: Their small-batch fresh apple cider during apple season.
MacGregor Orchard is a family-owned orchard along Highway 11 in Travelers Rest. The farm grows 11 different types of fruit and more than 100 varieties, including numerous varieties of apples. They also make their own fresh apple cider, applesauce, fruit preserves and fruit butters. South Carolina Department of Agriculture
This is a particularly good stop if you want to combine an orchard visit with a drive toward northern Greenville County and the mountains.
Grab some apples and cider, then keep heading up Highway 11 and make a day of it.
Callaham Orchards | Belton, SC
DATES: September 26–October 31, 2026
HOURS: Saturdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sundays noon–6 p.m.
GOOD FOR: A traditional family fall day without having to travel far from Anderson.
DON’T MISS: The corn maze, wagon ride, pumpkin patch and warm mini donuts.
Callaham Orchards hosts Fall Family Fun Days every weekend through the end of October. Admission includes the corn maze, scenic farm wagon ride, farm animals, jump pad, play areas, pumpkin patch access and fall photo spots. Pumpkins and some additional activities are purchased separately. Callaham Orchards
For those of us closer to Anderson, Belton or Greenville, this is an easy way to get the full farm experience without making it an all-day road trip.
And yes, I think the warm mini donuts alone deserve a mention.
Bryson’s Apple Orchard | Long Creek, SC
SEASON: U-pick apples typically run from mid-August through about mid-October.
GOOD FOR: Apple picking, cider and a quieter mountain-country orchard experience.
DON’T MISS: Their own pressed cider and the large selection of apple varieties.
Bryson’s Apple Orchard in Oconee County grows varieties including Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Mutsu, Arkansas Black, Winesap, Rome Beauty and more. The orchard also presses its own cider and sells jams, jellies, honey and other local products. South Carolina Department of Agriculture
This would be a great addition to a day spent exploring Long Creek, Mountain Rest, Walhalla or the western side of Oconee County.
Chattooga Belle Farm | Long Creek, SC
GOOD FOR: Mountain views, apples, lunch and making an entire afternoon out of one stop.
DON’T MISS: Their first Fall Harvest Festival on October 17.
Chattooga Belle Farm is a beautiful mountain farm in Long Creek with orchards, a farm store, Belle’s Bistro, a distillery and U-pick fruit during the appropriate seasons. The farm grows numerous apple varieties, including Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, Granny Smith, Winesap and Arkansas Black. Chattooga
This year, Chattooga Belle is also holding its first Fall Harvest Festival on October 17, with local vendors, live music, apples for sale, apple cider donuts, hayrides and other activities. Chattooga
This is one I’d consider making a destination rather than just a quick stop.
🎃 Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes & Fall Farms
Denver Downs Farm | Anderson, SC
DATES: Select dates September 25–November 14, 2026
OCTOBER HOURS: Fridays 5–10 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sundays noon–6 p.m.
GOOD FOR: A full afternoon or evening of fall activities.
DON’T MISS: Saturday fireworks in October.
Denver Downs is one of the larger fall attractions in the Anderson area. Their Fall Festival includes a pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals, live entertainment, bonfires, food and more than 35 activities. Saturdays in October also feature fireworks. Denver Downs
This is less of a “stop and pick out a pumpkin” outing and more of a full fall-festival experience.
Rooted Family Farm | Anderson, SC
SEASON: Pumpkin season runs during October; check the farm for specific 2026 dates before visiting.
GOOD FOR: A more traditional pumpkin-patch experience.
DON’T MISS: Cutting your pumpkin directly from the field where it grew.
Rooted Family Farm offers something a little different from many commercial pumpkin patches. They grow more than two acres of pumpkins and over 20 varieties, and visitors can head into the field and cut their own pumpkin. South Carolina Department of Agriculture
If you want a laid-back local farm rather than a large festival atmosphere, this is a fun Anderson-area option.
Little Cane Creek Farm & Corn Maze | West Union, SC
DATES: October 3–November 8, 2026
HOURS: Saturdays 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sundays 2–7 p.m.
GOOD FOR: Families, groups and anyone who really wants a corn maze.
DON’T MISS: The five-acre maze. The 2026 theme is Noah’s Ark.
Little Cane Creek Farm sits along Highway 11 in West Union and offers a giant five-acre corn maze, a smaller maze for younger children, pumpkins and other farm activities. LittleCaneCreekFarm
Its location also makes it easy to pair with a day around Seneca, Walhalla, Lake Keowee or the Highway 11 corridor.
Stewart Farms | Enoree, SC
DATES: September 26–October 31, 2026
HOURS: Fridays 4–10 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sundays 1–7 p.m.
GOOD FOR: Pumpkin picking, a corn maze and nighttime fall activities.
DON’T MISS: The 10-acre U-pick pumpkin patch with more than 110 varieties.
Stewart Farms offers a true U-pick pumpkin field along with its corn maze, wagon rides and farm animals. On select nights later in October, the farm also offers its Big Boo maze and nighttime wagon rides through lighted fall and Halloween scenes. Stewart Farms
This is another good choice if you want enough activities to fill several hours.
Strawberry Hill USA | Chesnee, SC
DATES: Weekends September 26–November 1, 2026, with additional Friday hours in October.
GOOD FOR: Families, a Highway 11 outing and Spartanburg-area fall fun.
DON’T MISS: The farm hayride, corn maze and playground.
Strawberry Hill’s fall activities include a hayride, corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals, giant slide, zip line, jump pillow and farm playground. Strawberry Hill USA
Because it sits right along Highway 11, it can also be incorporated into a scenic fall drive through the northern Upstate.
🍁 October Festivals Worth Putting on the Calendar
Anderson County Bicentennial Parade | Downtown Anderson
DATE: October 4, 2026
TIME: 3 p.m.
WHY THIS YEAR IS SPECIAL: Anderson County is celebrating its 200th anniversary.
The Anderson County Bicentennial Parade will take over Main Street in Downtown Anderson on October 4 as part of the county’s 200th anniversary celebration. The parade will feature floats highlighting the county’s history, businesses and workforce. Anderson County Museum
If Anderson is home, this is literally a once-in-a-century type of local celebration.
Fall for Greenville | Downtown Greenville
DATES: October 9–11, 2026
LOCATION: Main Street
ADMISSION: Free
GOOD FOR: Foodies, live music and spending the day downtown.
Fall for Greenville is one of the Upstate’s largest annual events. This year’s festival includes more than 50 local restaurants, hundreds of menu items, dozens of musical acts and multiple stages throughout downtown Greenville. Visit Greenville SC
If you’ve never experienced downtown Greenville during Fall for Greenville, it’s worth doing at least once. Come hungry.
South Carolina Bigfoot Festival | Westminster, SC
DATES: October 9–10, 2026
LOCATION: Main Street in Downtown Westminster
GOOD FOR: Something completely different.
DON’T MISS: Bigfoot speakers, stories, contests and themed vendors.
The South Carolina Bigfoot Festival returns for its seventh year with live music, expert speakers, Bigfoot tales, food and craft vendors, themed contests and children’s activities. Scbigfootfestival
Whether you’re a true believer, a complete skeptic or just looking for an unusual fall festival, this one definitely earns a spot on the list.
Only in the Upstate can you spend the morning looking at lake houses and the afternoon looking for Sasquatch.
Walhalla Oktoberfest | Walhalla, SC
DATES: October 16–18, 2026
GOOD FOR: German food, music, crafts and a fall weekend in Oconee County.
Walhalla’s Oktoberfest returns October 16–18 with German food, live music, crafts, carnival rides and family activities. Visit Oconee South Carolina
This is another great excuse to head toward Oconee County, especially once the fall color starts appearing in the foothills.
Upstate Native Plant Sale | Online
DATES: October 16–18, 2026
GOOD FOR: Gardeners and anyone interested in adding South Carolina native plants to their yard.
The Upstate Chapter of the South Carolina Native Plant Society is holding its Fall Native Plant Sale online this year. Plants are ordered online and then picked up during an assigned time, so this one isn’t a walk-through festival, but I still think it’s a nice addition for anyone who enjoys gardening and fall planting. South Carolina Native Plant Society
🚗 One of the Best Fall Activities Costs Nothing: Take a Scenic Drive
You really don’t need a festival or pumpkin patch to enjoy October in the Upstate.
The Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Byway, better known locally as Highway 11 or Scenic 11, stretches across the Upstate beneath the southern Blue Ridge Mountains and provides a much prettier alternative to Interstate 85. Scenic11 – Upcountry South Carolina
For 2026, Upcountry South Carolina notes that fall color generally begins around mid-October and continues into mid-November, although the exact timing always depends on the weather. Scenic11 – Upcountry South Carolina
The fun part is creating your own route.
You could start at an orchard, stop for lunch somewhere you’ve never tried, continue toward Lake Keowee or Lake Jocassee, make a detour through Walhalla or Travelers Rest and simply enjoy the drive.
That’s one of my favorite things about living in the Upstate. You can leave town and, within a fairly short drive, find yourself surrounded by mountains, lakes, waterfalls and small towns.
Sometimes the best fall plans aren’t really plans at all.
🍂 Your Upstate Fall Bucket List
Before the season is over, see how many of these you can check off:
Pick apples at a local orchard
Choose a pumpkin from the field
Get lost in a corn maze
Drink fresh apple cider
Eat at least one apple cider or warm mini donut
Spend an afternoon at a fall farm
Go to a local festival
Take a drive along Highway 11
Spend a day around Lake Keowee or Lake Jocassee
Explore an Upstate town you haven’t visited before
Catch the fall colors from the foothills
And, apparently, look for Bigfoot in Westminster
🏡 It’s About More Than the House
One of my favorite parts of helping people move to Upstate South Carolina is introducing them to the lifestyle that comes with living here.
When someone is relocating, I don’t think choosing where to live should only be about bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage.
It’s also about figuring out where you’ll grab coffee on Saturday morning, where you’ll take family when they visit, how far you want to be from the mountains or the lake, what your town feels like on a Friday night, and whether you can picture yourself actually building a life there.
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy sharing local places and events like these.
Whether you’re thinking about buying, selling, relocating to Upstate South Carolina, or you’re simply trying to figure out which community might fit you best, I’m always happy to help.
And if you already call the Upstate home, I hope this gives you an excuse to get out and explore somewhere new this fall.
Happy October! 🍁
Lori Smith, MBA, REALTOR®
Bluefield Realty Group
Serving Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and surrounding Upstate South Carolina communities
Farm hours, activities, crop availability, ticket information and event schedules can change, so always check directly with the farm or event before heading out.
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