Hike Sassafras Mountain (South Carolina State Highpoint)

Rating	★★★☆☆(3/5)
Overall Difficulty	Easy
Navigation Difficulty	Easy
Distance	0.4 miles roundtrip
Time	30 minutes
Terrain	Hilly, 80 feet of elevation gain
Best Seasons	All
Family Friendly	Yes
Dog Friendly	Yes
Accessible	Yes

Highlights

Low effort for great views
Straddling the North Carolina-South Carolina border

Hike Summary

On the border of North and South Carolina in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains is Sassafras Mountain, the highest place in South Carolina. Much like many of the other state highpoints in the South (for example Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina), you can drive almost all the way to the top, requiring a only short uphill walk to the summit on a paved path. Though the mountain at 3553 feet above sea level is thousands of feet shorter than other Blue Ridge peaks, the summit still offers a commanding view of the Appalachians on a clear day.

From the parking lot, follow either the steep concrete path or the more gradual gravel trail designated as wheelchair accessible. No matter which way you go, it's a quick trip to the summit. At the top, you'll see the nearly brand-new concrete observation platform pictured below which opened in 2019.

The concrete observation platform on top of Sassafras Mountain

Like many other state highpoints (including Florida, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa), South Carolina's is right against the border. A black line delineates the North Carolina-South Carolina border, and like many before, you can straddle the line and experience being in two places at once.

The North Carolina-South Carolina border marked on the observation platform

If you're lucky enough to visit on a clear day (they don't call them the Smoky Mountains for no reason), the views are magnificent. Even on a hazy day, you'll still be able to see some of the surrounding mountains, as shown in the two pictures below.

Forested peaks to the southwest of Sassafras Mountain

Cloudy views to the north and east from the summit of Sassafras Mountain

After you finish descending the mountain, look for a trail at the far end of the parking lot. A few extra steps will lead you to an additional viewing platform, as pictured below. Here, you can see views to the south and west.

A smaller observation deck near the parking lot

And with that, you'll have summitted a state highpoint and enjoyed some low-effort views! Connect with me using the social media links below and share your adventures!

Important Information

Dogs are allowed on leash. This short trail is great for anyone of any age or ability. In addition to the paved path, there is also a designated wheelchair accessible gravel path to the summit. You can visit in any season, though be careful of icy roads in the winter. Expect to see people no matter when you visit.

Directions

Sassafras Mountain is located on the North Carolina-South Carolina border between Greenville and Asheville. Use the link below to navigate the rural highways. No matter where you're coming from, you will end up on U.S. Highway 178 and turn onto Sassafras Mountain Road/F Van Clayton Memorial Highway in Rocky Bottom. This road winds all the way to the parking lot near the summit.

Google Maps Directions