You may be asking yourself "Where did summer go?" We know the feeling, but never fear! With the incoming fall season, there are some brightly colored days ahead in the Palmetto State. Each year at this time everyone is always asking the 64 million dollar question about the peak leaf-peeping dates, so if you're thinking ahead and wondering when to see fall colors in South Carolina, then here are some insights about the best dates for each part of the state - as determined by the experts at the Smoky Mountains. Check out the South Carolina fall colors map and plan some amazing autumn adventures in the Palmetto State this season. Happy fall, y'all!

So sit back, set a calendar reminder, South Carolina, and wait for the fall foliage to sweep through the state this season!

As seen in the fall colors map for South Carolina, most parts of the state are expected to see some fall foliage by the second and third week of October, although those along the coast from the Lowcountry to the Georgia border will be a bit behind the rest of the state.

Between October 24 and 31, much of the Palmetto State will be nearing peak fall foliage, according to the prediction map from Smoky Mountains.

As you can see by the map (which is very general), the colors may also begin to change as far toward the coast as the Midlands at around this time. But hold off on any big travel plans to see the full effects! The best is yet to come.

They won't be lagging too far behind, and a beautiful drive along one of the state's scenic byways may be in order very soon.

We have previously published road trips for fall foliage, and each includes some amazing places to stop along the way including a waterfall and a lake. The drive time is only a little more than 90 minutes, but with the suggested stops you could easily stretch this activity out to a full day of nothing by outdoor fun and leaf peeping. Check out the entire South Carolina Fall Foliage Road Trip and plan an autumn adventure!

See the transformation firsthand with a couple of visits to Jumping Off Rock Overlook.

To catch the first glimpse of fall in the Palmetto State head to this overlook in Sunset known as "Jumping Off Rock." You'll have front-row seats for the splendid colors of autumn in the Jocassee Gorges, recently named one of the "World's Last Great Places" by National Geographic. The overlook is accessed via Horsepasture Road near the community of Rocky Bottom off U.S. Highway 178, about 8 miles north of the intersection of Scenic Highway 11 and U.S. Highway 178 in northern Pickens County. There are several overlooks on Horsepasture Road.

Between October 31 and November 7, most of South Carolina will be at, or just past, peak fall color.

During this time, head to Table Rock State Park for some fantastic photo opportunities of the state's largest landmark and possibly the best place to see fall colors in South Carolina. With any luck, this year will be a burst of color that covers the entire mountain.

You'll see the enormous Table Rock for miles as you roll over the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway making your way to the state park. You can spend the day chasing brightly lit trees across the landscape before heading home along the same colorful route.

In another part of the state this week, you could see some leaves changing color in South Carolina at Chester State Park in Chester.

Over in the Aiken area, head to Redcliffe Plantation during this week to see the beauty of the bright colors against the sky.

The closer you get to the coast, the less you'll notice them, but follow these guidelines for when to see falls colors in South Carolina and you'll be ahead of the game. What are your plans for viewing the best fall colors in the Palmetto State this year? Have you used the South Carolina fall colors map to plan your seasonal adventures before? We'd love to know in our comments.

For more seasonal autumn fun, check out these scenic South Carolina country roads that are pure bliss in the fall.