Activated carbon is the bio-solid material produced by pyrolysis. The activated carbon properties are controlled by feedstock and pyrolysis variables. In this study, the impacts of these production variables on the yield and surface area of sugarcane bagasse derived activated carbon (SCBA) were investigated. Physicochemical properties of the produced activated carbon (AC) including pH, moisture content, fixed carbon, volatile matter and ash content were also investigated. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were evaluated as SCBA properties determining its sorption potential. The SCBA was produced at temperature range of 500 to 900°C, heating rate of 10 to 20°C/min and residence time of 1 to 3 h. The pyrolysis conditions were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) technique to maximize the values of the responses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the results demonstrated that the data fitted well to the linear and quadratic equations. Temperature was found to be the most effective parameter on the responses followed by residence time and heating rate, sequentially. The optimum conditions for the maximum values of the properties were temperatures of 900°C and time of 3 h. Heating rate at 10°C/min was found to be the best rate for SCBA. The structure of SCBA biomass was found to be sensitive to heating. The production variables were demonstrated as the direct effective factors on SCBA yield and physicochemical properties. © 2018 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.