After a few weekends of exploring the beautiful Table Rock and Ceasars Head State Parks, my people ventured a few miles west to explore Jones Gap. This might be my favorite of the three! My little mountain goats hiked around 5.8 (moderate difficulty-to us) miles to Rainbow Falls with some Black Bears and three timber rattlesnakes! This hike has a bit of an ascension, so be prepared to sweat in the first half of the out and back hike. I love the fish hatchery at the front of park and history around it. This place is absolutely breathtaking, both literally and figuratively! read more

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The sights on this trail are pretty along the river. Jones Gap Falls was also very pretty. The hike itself was pretty flat. However, the trail is all dirt and some mud,with tree roots and rocks sticking up along the trail. We had to bend down several times to get under tree branches and tripped a couple of times on the terrain. The trail narrows at several points, one of which my wife stepped on a snake that may have been a Copperhead!!!! I've seen other pictures of snakes on the trail of the venomous type. People we spoke to on the trail also talked about snakes being seen on the trail. I'm sure there are snakes on other trails as well, but this experience wasn't great. read more

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This may be my favorite park in the SC system, and that's saying something as there are so many beautiful places in this often overlooked state. It's a wilderness area, and controlled on the weekends as to how many cars can enter. Be sure to reserve parking! You may also have to pay to get in if you don't have an all access pass, but it's so worth it! There are easy walks, intense hikes, and even a beautiful picnic area right over the wilderness bridge. I've been here at least 5 times and haven't done half the trails! I just can't stay away. If you are near Greenville, SC, make the time to go!! read more

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Totally worth the $6 per person entrance fee. Beautiful park with clean restrooms. Plenty of walking trails and streams. Sadly their store was closed when we visited (a little after 4PM on a Saturday), but it looks like they have souvenirs, drinks and snacks. read more

Jones Gap State Park - Parks Near Me - Marietta, South Carolina

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Rainbow Falls is breathtaking and worth the hike. We got there around 9 on a Monday and it was low traffic. Even by the time we left it was less than half full in the parking lot. We really enjoyed that the trails didn't feel manicured past the point of being part of nature too. Also, we were there in late July and the temperature under the thick canopy was 10+ below the 90+ ambient readout. read more

Jones Gap State Park - Rainbow Falls - Parks Near Me - Marietta, South Carolina

We make the trek up to Jones Gap each year and are never disappointed. What a secret gem in South Carolina! Pick a campsite along the stream for white noise sure to help you sleep soundly. The 1.2 hike to Jones Gap Falls is moderate (it's not easy, but you can do it in sneakers.) Right around .8 miles you'll think, "Are we there yet?" No. You're not. But the return trip is mostly downhill, so press forward! Once you hit the bridge (and campsite 10), you're a quick walk away. Rock hopping is a must. Hammock camping in June? Bring an underquilt. Your cold butt will thank me later. read more

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Rainbow Falls hike is about 4-5 miles out and back. It gets steep towards the falls, but worth it. read more

Jones Gap State Park - Parks Near Me - Marietta, South Carolina

Cool park, some of the worst merch I have ever purchased. One wash and I'm already missing letters. Stupid.

Such beauty to take in! You can camp there with permission. My fiancé, dog, and I loved roaming the trails and seeing the mountain tops. The creeks are so serene to look at. There is an admission fee of $10. Honor system, so please do it to keep these parks alive. read more

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Camped with my dog Peatie, it rained but we had a nice time. Beautiful leaves changing and peaceful hikes, can't wait to come back!!! read more

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Beautiful state park, possibly the most beautiful out of all the parks I've been to on my ultimate outsider quest list. The views are stunning and the camping areas are serene and so relaxing next to the rushing stream. read more

Jones Gap State Park - Wooden bridge on way to Rainbow Falls - Parks Near Me - Marietta, South Carolina

A variety of trails for various difficulty levels and lengths, this was one of my favorite parks to visit for a day of hiking and sights. The rocky riverbed makes for a more entertaining variety of details along the trails. Hike a couple miles to the waterfall, or longer for a summit hike with views across the ridge. Arrive early on weekends to get a parking spot or you may have a long wait. read more

Jones Gap State Park - Parks Near Me - Marietta, South Carolina

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Huge fan of the small less trafficked park when compared to the others in the area. The rangers in the park are incredibly helpful and a joy to talk to. The park is lovely this time of year and not very crowded at all. I completed two hikes during my visit. The falls creek falls hike was pretty challenging going both up and down but the waterfall at the end was an excellent reward. The jones gap hike is far less strenuous and arguably more beautiful on the hike with a less climatic end. The river water is impressively clear and the leaf change was beautiful. About 50 minutes drive from Greenville. read more

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This is an amazing hike to a beautiful waterfall! It is the Mountain Bridge wilderness area, Caesars head-Jones Gap State Park. The trail is meticulously laid out and well maintained, from walkways over streams to carved trails through rocks. The scenery is majestic filled with nature and peacefulness. The Park employees are awesome! They know the area, are super friendly, and helpful with directions and knowledge of the hikes and area. It was very interesting reading about the history of the trail, I would highly recommend reading about it before you hike, it makes it that much more interesting. There are different colored trails so make sure you know what you want to see and how far you want to hike. Rainbow falls was beautiful! The employee on duty at the end of our hike was also amazing. He reopened the store so we could purchase a trail guide of upstate South Carolina. You also receive an official guide book to South Carolina State Parks. The book describes other state parks and their features, location, accommodations etc.and receive a stamp for each State Park you visit. Fun fitness challenge to get all the stamps. read more

Jones Gap State Park - Parks Near Me - Marietta, South Carolina

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So close to downtown Greenville! The grounds are kept very clean, all garbage is carry out. There were plenty of signs around to keep a non-experienced hiker on track. We chose to do the Jones Gap trail (blue) to the Rainbow Falls trail (red). Rainbow Falls was a definite challenge, but worth the beautiful view and misty rest area at the end. Not going to lie, we were going to quit!! But good reports from other hikers kept us going! Pack plenty of water, and refuel with snacks at the waterfall. read more

Jones Gap State Park - Parks Near Me - Marietta, South Carolina

Awesome place to hike, great trails, picnic, restrooms, information center, you need to pay entry and sometimes park is crowded.

Can't wait to go to this park again. This park is around 35 to 40 minutes away from Greenville. The parking is very tight so would recommend to start early. There is separate parking for camping people but I am guessing you would have to book your camping ground. The Rangers are helpful and there is a information center in the park as well. We did the Palmetto trail. It is not strenuous and you walk along the waterfall stream. At the end of the trail there is Gap Jones waterfall. Checking the waterfall will give you the achievement of completing the trail one way. You have to come down same way you go ahead. Even though it is summer the trail is well convered with trees. They state park charges you $5 per person and not per car. Carrying exact change is recommended!!! read more

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I love this place. The hospital rock trail is great! The falls are great too but get a bit crowded in the summer, especially the weekends. There isn't a ton of parking which is great because that makes it to where the park doesn't get too crowded. The rangers are very informative and kind. It's great living right next to it also, if you have questions about the river flooding, they're very helpful! read more

Jones Gap State Park has a lot to offer a family who is seeking to escape the city for a while. From scenic hikes on the Jones Gap Trail, to primitive camping sites and picnic areas along the beautiful Middle Saluda River. Kids will love the opportunity to dangle their toes in the cool mountain stream and perhaps see some of the water critters such as trout, crayfish and salamanders. Being just 15-20 minutes from Travelers Rest, Jones Gap is a hidden jewel in the SC mountains. The park and the hiking trails within it are part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, a pristine wilderness area with over 11,000 protected acres along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. The MBWA is crisscrossed with 50 or more well maintained trails of varying degrees of difficulty that connects the Jones Gap and Caesars Head state parks. While these trails offer access to some of the most beautiful natural terrain in the Upstate of South Carolina, some may be a bit more challenging than the average family wanting a quiet stroll in the woods is looking for. For family hikes with younger kids I would suggest the Jones Gap or the Falls Creek trails. There is lots to see along the trails and plenty of spots to stop for breathers. Most of the campsites in the park are car camping friendly with relatively short distances from the parking areas to the campsites. There are restrooms available on site and a Ranger Station / Learning Center that is open intermittently during park hours (M-Su 9am-6pm extended to 9pm during Daylight Savings Time) where you can grab a quick snack, pick up a map of the MBWA and maybe even a souvenir or two for the kids. Not all of the sites are equally sized and some are lacking fire rings. So if you have specific needs and wants it would be advisable to call well before your projected outing to get advice on the best sites for your group and to secure reservations ahead of time. read more

Jones Gap State Park - Falls Creek - Parks Near Me - Marietta, South Carolina

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As a first timer to Jones Gap State Park I really didn't know what to expect. I had read that there was great hiking but that's about it. We arrived just before 11am on a Saturday in mid-April to find a huge line of cars at the entrance. Turns out, there is a limited capacity in the park due to parking spots so we were told that as one car came out, one could go in. They said it happens all the time and visitors are best to arrive before 10:30am or after 4pm to avoid this. We bagged our plans that day and arrived early that next day. I'm sure glad we decided to go back because the park is really one of the best I've seen in the Carolinas when it comes to hiking and scenery. The grounds are pristine and well kept, there's a trout pond, nice visitor and nature center, and the trails all follow along the Saluda River. We chose the Rainbow Falls trail and while it was challenging, it didn't disappoint. It's a 2.5 mile steep climb to the base of the falls but worth every step. The waterfall is huge and is comparable to something you would see out West in Yosemite, not the foothills of South Carolina. A short 2-hour drive from Charlotte, I will be back. The only bummer is - there is no RV camping and all the tent sites are hike in and hike out. No cars. read more

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Last time I was there was with my Uncle BILL back in FEBRUARY 2003. He passed away back in November 2008. Hoping on my visit this coming October to be at JONES GAP for a nice mild hike.. Fingers crossed... read more

Everything about this park is awesome except the limited parking. They currently have a reservation system due to the "pandemic" and I hope they keep it afterwards. It is the only way to get in. Before this we were turned away due to capacity at least 5 times (even before the pandemic). This is a much fairer system, esp. for those that have to travel far to get here. Great new system, please keep it in place permanently. This park is just gorgeous! read more

Absolutely gorgeous park! Trails are clearly marked so even a beginner can find their way around. We spent about about 3 hours enjoying a family hike to and from Rainbow Falls. We loved hoping the rocks and walking across a tree stump on the river. We got to the harder part of the trail I felt there were plenty of beautiful spots to stop and take rest. Getting to the top at the waterfall was well worth the climb in 1200' elevation read more

Headed out to enjoy hiking to a new place we've never been before. Got there and was told parking was full and could only go in if someone got out. Didn't mind waiting as ranger said it would be about 10-15 mins. We were the fifth car in line and after about an hour passed by only one car got in. Word to the wise, get there early and be 1 of the first 37 cars if you want to get in the park and also bring money for admission fee. read more

Loved this park! Clean restrooms & plenty of picnic areas. Due to limited parking, I suggest arriving before 11. As we were leaving after our hike, cars were lined up at the gate to come in as each car left. Beautiful hike with lots of convenient campsites. Can't wait to go back. read more

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This is a great place to fly fish where the water is clean and not too many people here during the week. It is crowded on weekends and there are campsites that you may need to pass through to get to the Middle Saluda River. Please be courteous to other people with their privacy. This is a catch and release river with only native Brook trout in the river. No Corn or Power Bait only artificial lures are aloud in the park. If you want Rainbow trout, there are great places on SC 11 to fish and keep with corn. Enjoy read more