Fall Fun In South Carolina’s Pee Dee Country

The bustling summer has come to an end, making way for one of the best seasons to visit the Pee Dee Region.

The colorful, changing landscape; the crisp autumn air; the family-friendly festivals; and the delicious seasonal fare all make for one memorable fall experience in our seven-county region.

Take a look at the outdoor adventures, special attractions, and festive events waiting for you, and craft a custom trip itinerary for an unforgettable fall getaway to Pee Dee Country.

The Great Pee Dee Outdoors

While the summer brings prime opportunities for on-the-water fun along our lakes, rivers, and other aquatic hot spots, the fall is an especially magical time for slowing down and experiencing more of the Pee Dee’s outdoor attractions and areas.

Pee Dee State Parks

The cooler fall weather is perfect for hiking, camping, and fishing in the Pee Dee’s three state parks.

You could easily spend an entire weekend at Lee State Park. The expansive park boasts a scenic nature trail, 12 miles of equestrian trails, prime fishing on the State Scenic Lynches River, thousands of acres of lush forest for birdwatching, four artesian wells, and campsites aplenty.

Woods Bay State Park is best experienced on the canoe trail, offering incredible views of the park’s many habitats, including marshes, sandhills, lush forest, bogs, and one of the last remaining Carolina Bays on the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. Leave time during your visit at the park to take in views of the alligators living in the cypress tupelo swamp with a stroll along the boardwalk.

Little Pee Dee State Park is also home to a Carolina Bay—as well as the sand rim where the ancient coastline once existed. But visitors love this natural gem most for its fishing and camping opportunities. The 54-acre Lake Norton is teeming with bream, bass, and catfish, which you can cook up at one of the park’s many tent campsites or the lakefront camper cabin. The park also features nearly three miles of nature trails for hiking and walking.

Wildlife Preserves and Parks

Soak up more fresh-air fun and mesmerizing fall scenery at Pee Dee’s wildlife preserves and local parks. 

Hike the five-and-a-half-mile scenic trail along the river at the Great Pee Dee Heritage Preserve. You might be lucky enough to spot the four threatened species that live here, like the painted turtle. The preserve is also home to the Johannes Kolb Archaeology site where many early-18th century artifacts from local settlements have been found.

Continue your adventure on foot with a trek along the six-mile trail network at the Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve, featuring views of the State Scenic Black River and 30 acres of gorgeous floral gardens, pine-and-oak-filled hills, and lush hardwood forests. 

Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the boardwalks, bridges, and footpaths at Williamson Park, home to a 70-acre cypress forest brimming with more than 300 plant and animal species.

Nestled along the Lynches Scenic River between Florence and Lake City, the 676-acre Lynches River County Park offers the full gamut of outdoor fun—from river fishing, paddling, and hiking, to archery, climbing, picnicking, and more. The park also features a colorful splash pad, an Environmental Discovery Center, and an expansive community building. 

If you’re searching for more trails to enjoy on horseback—or a place to ride your ATVs—look no further than River Neck Acres ATV Park and Campground. The park has more than 15 miles of equestrian trails, as well as more than 1,000 acres of space for riding side-by-sides, four-wheelers, and other off-road vehicles.

Pee Dee Haunted Attractions and Family-Friendly Festivals

The fall season brings some of the region’s most highly anticipated events and special attractions. Plan your trip around the following fun happenings!

Get your adrenaline pumping with a visit to the area’s three haunted attractions, which include:

• Cedar Creek Haunted Trail
• Kreepy Hollow Haunted House
• Scream Acres

The annual BOO-tanical Garden event at Moore Farms offers a chance to experience the bewitchingly beautiful garden while enjoying trick-or-treating and fall-themed games and crafts. If you won’t be in town during this event, other popular fall events they’ll be hosting include:

• The fall plant sale
• Films at the farm
• Fall garden opening
• An evening wine walk
• Lake City concert

Each year in mid-October, McArthur Farms celebrates harvest time with a Fall Harvest Festival. The annual event includes a variety of attractions and games at the Farm Fun Park; one of the largest corn mazes in the eastern Carolinas; live music and dancing; homegrown and homemade fare; and much more.

A cornucopia of local events and festivals

These are just a few of the fun-filled activities you can look forward to this fall in the Pee Dee. The festivities will take place all season long throughout our seven counties. Other events taking place include:

• Golden Leaf Festival – Mullins
• Fall Plant & Flower Show – Florence
• Kickin’ Chicken Wing & Chili Festival – Florence
• Oktoberfest – Florence
• Pig Pickin’ Festival – Kingstree
• South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival – Darlington
• Jingle Bell Market – Florence
• SC Pecan, Music and Food Festival – Florence

Once you’ve put together a plan for your fall getaway to the Pee Dee, the only thing left to decide is where you’ll be staying. Find a cozy place to hang up your hat, and get your trip on the books!

Check out our blog for more things to do and see during your trip to the Pee Dee.