Looking for a fun road trip to view the fall foliage scenery in South Carolina this year? You can’t go wrong with a jaunt through the upstate on your way to visit the Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve for a walk across the oldest bridge in the Palmetto State – and possibly the oldest stone bridge in the entire southeastern U.S.

The vast heritage preserve spans 120 acres along Callahan Mountain Road, located 25 miles due north of Greenville.

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At its center, the 130-foot stone Poinsett Bridge that was constructed in 1820 with a Gothic arch over the Little Gap Creek.

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Visiting the Poinsett Bridge is a moving experience in any season (even winter, but watch your footing). And an autumn visit is simply magical.

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Whether you arrive at peak viewing times or just after, the rusty reds and other fall colors are mesmerizing — even when they’re already on the ground.

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And crossing the bridge delivers a sense of stepping back in time to a day when this bridge was the main passage between Columbia and Asheville. Can you hear the sounds of hooves and wagon wheels already?

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Witnessing fall’s splendor from the top of the bridge while underneath the colorful canopy is one way to experience the best of the autumn season. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, then carefully walk down to the foot of the bridge to peer through the Gothic arch to the other side.

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The foliage view along Little Gap Creek is astounding.

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Bring a picnic and stay awhile… there are plenty of fun spots to explore on, around, and under the bridge!

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A fun fact about the Poinsett Bridge: although no records exist, some historians are convinced it was designed by Robert Mills — the same architect that designed the Washington Monument.

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Planning a visit soon? Check out this year’s fall foliage prediction map to see when the colors are expected to peak!

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Address: 580 Callahan Mountain Rd, Landrum, SC 29356, USA