Registering with the park before using these trails is mandatory. We recommend bringing A LOT of water, especially during the summer. Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina is one of the best South Carolina State Parks. Google Maps . The Jones Gap Trail (blue) is an easy to moderate trail following the Saluda river. One of my favorite South Carolina Waterfall Hikes is the Rainbow Falls Trail in Jones Gap State Park. There is also access to the 80-mile Foothills Trail. I visited Jones Gap Falls. It's a steady ascent which gets quite rocky/rooty at times. Hikers can take a number of loop and traverse hiking trails that connect the parks, and trailside camping is available for those who choose the longer routes. The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, comprised of Caesars Head State Park and Jones Gap State Park, has always been known for some of the most beautiful and rugged trails in South Carolina. This route can done as either a point-to-point or an out-and-back. Caesars Head and Jones Gap State Parks, South Carolina. Jones Gap State Park: Interesting Hike - See 114 traveller reviews, 168 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. Jones Gap / Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area is for the hiker and waterfall enthusiast. This parking fee is in addition to the visiting fee. Having reached the highest point of the hike, there are several areas on the way down where one might just have to be on all fours (around the rock walls which are beautiful!) Primitive camping but still have access to showers with a short hike. The Bill Kimball Trail (pink) is what makes this loop hard. Thank brookballiet . You can also expect to cross streams and view many waterfalls. At about .6 miles (1km) the Rainbow Falls Trail starts off to the right (which is moderate to hard and about 1 1/2 miles long.) The Jones Gap Trail is one of the easiest trails in the Wilderness. Tell us in the comments? It's just a … Jones Gap State Park. It is a little steeper (moderate) leading up through forested areas. It's a steady ascent which gets quite rocky/rooty at times. There are several nice spots by the river to take a break! At about .6 miles (1km) the Rainbow Falls Trail starts off to the right (which is moderate to hard and about 1 1/2 miles long.) If you enjoy creek side trails, you’ll really enjoy it. Having reached the highest point of the hike, there are several areas on the way down where one might just have to be on all fours (around the rock walls which are beautiful!) Another .6 miles down and the trail to the Jones Gap Falls will be on the right. Widely regarded as the most challenging hike in SC. NOTE: If you want to visit Jones Gap before 2 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, you need to pay $5 and reserve one of the 30 parking spots available the day before your visit. Enjoy!!! Another .6 miles down and the trail to the Jones Gap Falls will be on the right. It is a little steeper (moderate) leading up through forested areas. Trailside camp sites are available. Jones Gap Trail and Coldspring Branch Trail Loop, Jones Gap State Park, SC. It basically follows the river and descends gradually as you make your way toward Jones Gap State Park. Flickr/Brenda Wiley. At about .6 miles (1km) the Rainbow Falls Trail starts off to the right (which is moderate to hard and about 1 1/2 miles long.) Parking spot reservations may be made here: https://reserve.southcarolinaparks.com/mountain-bridge NOTE: If you want to visit Jones Gap before 2 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays, you need to pay $5 and reserve one of the 30 parking spots available the day before your visit. This beautiful trail takes you through forested areas along Oil Camp Creek, eventually reaching Pinnacle Pass. Jones Gap and Rainbow Falls Trail is a 11.9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Cleveland, South Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. Ready for some activity? #6 - Oil Camp Creek to Pinnacle Pass Trail. It closely follows the Middle Saluda River, occasionally crossing the rushing water on narrow logs. This 3,964 acre state park is part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. There are 5 moderate trails in Jones Gap State Park ranging from 5.6 to 17.4 km and from 365 to 954 meters above sea level. Located in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area of upstate South Carolina, Jones Gap State Park is a jewel among the South Carolina State Parks. Hiking Trails: A network of easy to strenuous hiking trails in the Mountain Bridge Recreation Area links Caesars Head and Jones Gap state parks. The Jones Gap Trail (blue) is an easy to moderate trail following the Saluda river. My son (4 years) absolutely loves having access to the river. Posted by Jeff on Jan 16, 2012 @ 5:12 pm in Best Hike, Hiking, Hiking Blog, Mountain Bridge Wilderness, Rated Difficult Hikes, South Carolina, Water Hikes | 9 comments | Last modified: February 20, 2020 . This 50ft beauty is an easy waterfall to visit as the trail is only about 1 mile one-way, has minimal elevation change, and parallels the gorgeous boulder strewn Middle Saluda River almost the entire hike. AllTrails has 8 great hiking trails, forest trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. This parking fee is in addition to the visiting fee. The Bill Kimball Trail (pink) is what makes this loop hard. Explore the most popular views trails in Jones Gap State Park with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. An alternative to hiking the strenuous Rainbow Falls trail, this in-and-out hike follows Jones Gap Trail and then the 0.1mi Jones Gap Falls Trail to a 50ft waterfall on a tributary to the Middle Saluda for a 2.6mi round trip. Looking for a great trail in Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina? Jones Gap State Park in the Upstate of South Carolina is one of the most beautiful parks in the state offering a good range of moderate and challenging hiking and backpacking trails through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. An alternative to hiking the strenuous Rainbow Falls trail, this in-and-out hike follows Jones Gap Trail and then the 0.1mi Jones Gap Falls Trail to a 50ft waterfall on a tributary to the Middle Saluda for a 2.6mi round trip. Rainbow Falls Trail Hike in Jones Gap State Park - YouTube. Visitors can choose from a multitude of trails, including the popular Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail. The Coldspring Branch Trail (orange) crosses the creek several times. At about .6 miles (1km) the Rainbow Falls Trail starts off to the right (which is moderate to hard and about 1 1/2 miles long.) There is a great waterfall about a mile in, and many smaller cascades along the way. Another .6 miles down and the trail to the Jones Gap Falls will be on the right. Notes: The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area is 40,000 acres of wilderness containing over 50 miles of the best hiking trails in the State of South Carolina. Author: Ted Alvarez Updated: Aug 11, 2020 Original: Aug 23, 2017. Hike on Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina. There is a great waterfall about a mile in, and many smaller cascades along the way. Starts off easy when you enter the trailhead, but will quickly get steep as you walk up a lot of stairs. Once back to the Saluda, the return is easy! Jones Gap State Park: Lota hiking - See 116 traveler reviews, 175 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. Note: The hours listed in the Park Info section are extended to 9pm during Daylight Savings Time. Pam and I did a loop hike in Jones Gap State Park. Visitors can choose from a multitude of trails, including the popular Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail. The trail starts on Oil Camp Creek Road, which is paved all the way, but it becomes narrow and one-lane near the end. The deep mountain cove of Jones Gap State Park offers miles of great hiking trails and thousands of acres of beautiful woodlands. There is no RV camping. Reserved parking spaces will be held until 2 p.m. The trails in these areas are mostly popular day hikes with designated overnight camping sites. Reserved parking spaces will be held until 2 p.m. $5 for adults; $3 kids 6 – 15; kids 5 and under are free. The Trailhead: Located at Jones Gap State Park in Marietta, SC of northern Greenville County. Jones Gap is the best camping and hiking in the Greenville area. The deep mountain cove of Jones Gap State Park offers miles of great hiking trails and thousands of acres of beautiful woodlands. If you'd like to do a point-to-point, leave a car or get a ride from the end at Geer Highway. Camping: Call 1-866-345-PARK (7275) or go online at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com to … Let the hordes crowd the Appalachians up north. Waterfall hikes are amazing especially after large rains. Jones Gap State Park is located in northern Greenville County near Marietta, South Carolina. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Camping by the river is a must. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October. The overall area is real secluded, gas stations are available but don’t hesitate to top off your tank. alltrails.com At about the halfway point, the trail turns to the right to head up to Rainbow Falls. You'll find more than 30 miles of gorgeous, and often challenging, trails in Jones Gap State Park. What a great place! You can make camping reservations here. The Best Day Hikes in America: Rim of the Gap Trail to Jones Gap. #7 - Gum Gap Trail - Foothills Trail Extension: Jones Gap to Sassafras Mountain, #8 - Pretty Place and Rainbow Falls via Hospital Rock and Jones Gap Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Jones Gap and Coldspring Branch to Bill Kimball Trail, Gum Gap Trail - Foothills Trail Extension: Jones Gap to Sassafras Mountain, Pretty Place and Rainbow Falls via Hospital Rock and Jones Gap Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY]. #7 - Gum Gap Trail - Foothills Trail Extension: Jones Gap to Sassafras Mountain, #8 - Pretty Place and Rainbow Falls via Hospital Rock and Jones Gap Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Jones Gap and Coldspring Branch to Bill Kimball Trail, Gum Gap Trail - Foothills Trail Extension: Jones Gap to Sassafras Mountain, Pretty Place and Rainbow Falls via Hospital Rock and Jones Gap Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY]. This beautiful trail takes you through forested areas along Oil Camp Creek, eventually reaching Pinnacle Pass. The Jones Gap Trail (blue) is an easy to moderate trail following the Saluda river. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. It's just a … Jones Gap State Park features a variety of trails, and one of the best leads to Jones Gap Falls – a 50-foot cascade over a staircase of stones. The trail for 100' high Rainbow Falls starts about 0.25 miles down Jones Gap Trail. We recommend bringing A LOT of water, especially during the summer. The chilly water in the Jones Gap area provided a great spot for raising trout fish, which were imported from Montana to help restock the local river systems. There are several nice spots by the river to take a break! Jones Gap State Park: Great hiking-super workout - See 116 traveler reviews, 175 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. Date of experience: July 2013. My nine year old son and I went here in March 2009, backpacked to campsite 13 and spent two days hiking the trails. It's just a couple of hundred feet long and worth taking a look. The Coldspring Branch Trail (orange) crosses the creek several times. Admission: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50 children ages 6-15; ages 5 and under, free. There are several nice spots by the river to take a break! Parking spot reservations may be made here: https://reserve.southcarolinaparks.com/mountain-bridge The Middle Saluda River was the state of South Carolina's first designated scenic river and offers some of the best trout fishing in SC. Starts off easy when you enter the trailhead, but will quickly get steep as you walk up a lot of stairs. It's a steady ascent which gets quite rocky/rooty at times. #4 - Hospital Rock to Falls Creek Falls Trail, #5 - Jones Gap and Coldspring Branch to Bill Kimball Trail. Ask brookballiet about Jones Gap State Park. There are several nice spots by the river to take a break! The trail starts on Oil Camp Creek Road, which is paved all the way, but it becomes narrow and one-lane near the end. Share what you know about this area! Caesars Head connects to Jones Gap State Park in what is known as the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, an 13,000-acre area of pristine southern mountain forest. If you'd like to do a point-to-point, leave a car or get a ride from the end at Geer Highway. #4 - Hospital Rock to Falls Creek Falls Trail, #5 - Jones Gap and Coldspring Branch to Bill Kimball Trail. It has beautiful hiking trails for the entire family to enjoy. 9 am – 9 pm during daylight savings time, 9 am to 6 pm during the rest of the year. Another .6 miles down and the trail to the Jones Gap Falls will be on the right. The trail follows the Middle Saluda River, making for a beautiful hike along the way. The view of the falls are BEAUTIFUL! From this point its 1.6 miles one way. 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