Ultimate Guide to Symmes Chapel, SC 🤍 Underrated Pro Tips

I made a wish in this “place closest to the light”—hoping everyone I love and who loves me stays safe and sound. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills” Long before I even came to UNC, I saw countless photos of this spot on TikTok. I’d had it marked for years, and finally got to visit right before I leave! This time, we stayed at the AC Hotel in downtown Asheville. We hit the road at 4 AM, and the mountain was shrouded in fog the whole way up—plus there were so many curves, so we had to drive super carefully 🚗 Transportation & Parking Hack The chapel’s gate (for the final stretch of road to the site) opens sharply at 6 AM—I’ve never seen anyone mention this on Xiaohongshu! We arrived around 5:40 AM, and there were already over 20 cars lined up ahead. By then, the parking lot was totally full—some people even parked on the mountain road and had to walk 10+ minutes to the chapel. But here’s the trick: most people leave right after watching the sunrise, so the parking lot empties out then—you can drive down and park easily then! 🏔️ Timing & Clothing Tip Even though South Carolina’s daily temperature is over 30°C lately, the mornings on the mountain are still pretty cold—bring a jacket! Aim to arrive no later than 5:40 AM: that way, you can walk in as soon as the chapel opens and enjoy the views in peace. If you’re just 10-15 minutes late, the chapel will be so crowded you can barely see the scenery. 🤍 Key Prep Step The chapel is sometimes rented out for private events (like weddings), so always check the opening hours in advance on the “Pretty Place Chapel” official page. Also, look up the sunrise time—don’t miss it! Final Thought Words can’t describe how breathtaking it is in person—it’s just so beautiful. Address: Fred W. Symmes Chapel (The Pretty Place)📍 100 YMCA Camp Rd, Cleveland, SC #NorthCarolina #SouthCarolina #Chapel #PrettyPlace #Travel