Widely regarded as the most challenging hike in SC. 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. Jones Gap State Park: Interesting Hike - See 114 traveller reviews, 168 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. The Coldspring Branch Trail (orange) crosses the creek several times. If you'd like to do a point-to-point, leave a car or get a ride from the end at Geer Highway. There are several nice spots by the river to take a break! Hike on Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina. If you'd like to do a point-to-point, leave a car or get a ride from the end at Geer Highway. Enjoy!!! The Jones Gap Trail is one of the easiest trails in the Wilderness. 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. 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!) Parking spot reservations may be made here: https://reserve.southcarolinaparks.com/mountain-bridge The park's trail system connects with Caesars Head in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Jones Gap State Park and Caesars Head State Park are part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area in the upper part of South Carolina and the border of North Carolina. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time! The Jones Gap State Park trails allow hikers to traverse between the two parks, as well as connect to a portion of the Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail South Carolina hikers know and love. The Best Day Hikes in America: Rim of the Gap Trail to Jones Gap. 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. Wrapped around the Middle Saluda River, Jones Gap State Park … There are several nice spots by the river to take a break! 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. Jones Gap is a 3,964-acre state park in northern Greenville County near the town of Marietta. Detailed trail maps are available for sale at the park headquarters. 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. Another .6 miles down and the trail to the Jones Gap Falls will be on the right. The Jones Gap State Park trails allow hikers to traverse between the two parks, as well as connect to a portion of the Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail South Carolina hikers know and love. $5 for adults; $3 kids 6 – 15; kids 5 and under are free. Hike Name: Jones Gap State Park - Middle Saluda River: Country: United States: State: South Carolina: Nearby Town: Walhalla : Rating: Directions: (US 276 – Raven Cliff Falls Parking Area): From the Caesar’s Head State Park store and visitor’s center, drive north on US 276 for 1.1 miles to the Raven Cliff Falls Parking Area (which is on your right.) It is a little steeper (moderate) leading up through forested areas. Share what you know about this area! Jones Gap State Park is located in northern Greenville County near Marietta, South Carolina. Jones Gap / Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area is for the hiker and waterfall enthusiast. It's a steady ascent which gets quite rocky/rooty at times. My son (4 years) absolutely loves having access to the river. Its easternmost terminus is Jones Gap State Park and the 5.3-mile long trail meanders through lush woodlands towards Caesars Head State Park. 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 parking fee is in addition to the visiting fee. 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. #4 - Hospital Rock to Falls Creek Falls Trail, #5 - Jones Gap and Coldspring Branch to Bill Kimball Trail. 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.) Jones Gap is the best camping and hiking in the Greenville area. #6 - Oil Camp Creek to Pinnacle Pass Trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail. You can make camping reservations here. The park, along with adjoining Caesars Head State Park, is administered by the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism as the Middle Bridge Wilderness. Author: Ted Alvarez Updated: Aug 11, 2020 Original: Aug 23, 2017. 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. Many come for a day hike … We recommend bringing A LOT of water, especially during the summer. The trail follows the Middle Saluda River, making for a beautiful hike along the way. From this point its 1.6 miles one way. Reserved parking spaces will be held until 2 p.m. Looking for a great trail in Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina? The deep mountain cove of Jones Gap State Park offers miles of great hiking trails and thousands of acres of beautiful woodlands. Ask brookballiet about Jones Gap State Park. 9 am – 9 pm during daylight savings time, 9 am to 6 pm during the rest of the year. Hiking Trails: A network of easy to strenuous hiking trails in the Mountain Bridge Recreation Area links Caesars Head and Jones Gap state parks. It's a steady ascent which gets quite rocky/rooty at times. Located in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area of upstate South Carolina, Jones Gap State Park is a jewel among the South Carolina State Parks. There are several nice spots by the river to take a break! Tell us in the comments? Ready for some activity? #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]. It closely follows the Middle Saluda River, occasionally crossing the rushing water on narrow logs. This beautiful trail takes you through forested areas along Oil Camp Creek, eventually reaching Pinnacle Pass. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Admission: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50 children ages 6-15; ages 5 and under, free. Google Maps . The trails in these areas are mostly popular day hikes with designated overnight camping sites. The Trailhead: Located at Jones Gap State Park in Marietta, SC of northern Greenville County. It's a steady ascent which gets quite rocky/rooty at times. It basically follows the river and descends gradually as you make your way toward Jones Gap State Park. The trails can be accessed via either Jones Gap State Park or Caesars Head State Park. If you enjoy creek side trails, you’ll really enjoy it. This route can done as either a point-to-point or an out-and-back. You can also expect to cross streams and view many waterfalls. #4 - Hospital Rock to Falls Creek Falls Trail, #5 - Jones Gap and Coldspring Branch to Bill Kimball Trail. Waterfall hikes are amazing especially after large rains. The Bill Kimball Trail (pink) is what makes this loop hard. Much of the hike to Rainbow Falls, which begins at Jones Gap State Park (seen here at the start of the trail on the right side of the map), follows along the Middle Saluda River. 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 park’s location places it on the southern edge of the Eastern Continental Divide. Trails and 13,000 acres of pristine mountain woodlands join the park with Caesars Head in what is known as the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. alltrails.com At about the halfway point, the trail turns to the right to head up to Rainbow Falls. The park's trail system connects with Caesars Head in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. The trail for 100' high Rainbow Falls starts about 0.25 miles down Jones Gap Trail. Jones Gap Trail and Coldspring Branch Trail Loop, Jones Gap State Park, SC. It's a steady ascent which gets quite rocky/rooty at times. There is no RV camping. Starts off easy when you enter the trailhead, but will quickly get steep as you walk up a lot of stairs. Another .6 miles down and the trail to the Jones Gap Falls will be on the right. Since it’s located between two mountains, count on the temperature being about 10 degrees colder than the … The hike: Tucked in a deep and tight east-west valley at the foot of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, 3946 acre Jones Gap State Park lies directly east of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, one of South Carolina ’s top hiking destinations. Rainbow Falls Trail Hike in Jones Gap State Park - YouTube. Follow the trail across an iron bridge that crosses the Middle Saluda River, and be sure to register at the Ranger’s Station/Gift Shop on the far side of the gap. Flickr/Brenda Wiley. The view of the falls are BEAUTIFUL! Let the hordes crowd the Appalachians up north. Note: The hours listed in the Park Info section are extended to 9pm during Daylight Savings Time. This beautiful trail takes you through forested areas along Oil Camp Creek, eventually reaching Pinnacle Pass. 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.) Jones Gap State Park 303 Jones Gap Road, Marietta 864.836.3647. This 3,964 acre state park is part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Trailside camp sites are available. Pam and I did a loop hike in Jones Gap State Park. Another .6 miles down and the trail to the Jones Gap Falls will be on the right. We started out on the Jones Gap Trail, then made the climb up to Rainbow Falls. The trail starts on Oil Camp Creek Road, which is paved all the way, but it becomes narrow and one-lane near the end. South Carolina Representative J. Cleveland donated 20 acres here to start the state's first fish hatchery (aka The … Visitors can choose from a multitude of trails, including the popular Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail. What a great place! The Jones Gap Trail (blue) is an easy to moderate trail following the Saluda river. Jones Gap State Park: Great hiking-super workout - See 116 traveler reviews, 175 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. 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. Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina is one of the best South Carolina State Parks. The Bill Kimball Trail (pink) is what makes this loop hard. Enjoy!!! Starts off easy when you enter the trailhead, but will quickly get steep as you walk up a lot of stairs. 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. The deep mountain cove of Jones Gap State Park offers miles of great hiking trails and thousands of acres of beautiful woodlands. I visited Jones Gap Falls. One of my favorite South Carolina Waterfall Hikes is the Rainbow Falls Trail in Jones Gap State Park. Date of experience: July 2013. Visitors can choose from a multitude of trails, including the popular Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail. #6 - Oil Camp Creek to Pinnacle Pass Trail. Camping by the river is a must. Caesars Head and Jones Gap State Parks, South Carolina. We recommend bringing A LOT of water, especially during the summer. 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 parking fee is in addition to the visiting fee. 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. 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. There are several nice spots by the river to take a break! 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. 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.) My nine year old son and I went here in March 2009, backpacked to campsite 13 and spent two days hiking the trails. 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!) The trail starts on Oil Camp Creek Road, which is paved all the way, but it becomes narrow and one-lane near the end. Trails and 13,000 acres of pristine mountain woodlands join the park with Caesars Head in what is known as the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. There is also access to the 80-mile Foothills Trail. 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. It has beautiful hiking trails for the entire family to enjoy. Like most waterfalls in South Carolina, the falls are at … Parking spot reservations may be made here: https://reserve.southcarolinaparks.com/mountain-bridge 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. 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. Primitive camping but still have access to showers with a short hike. Thank brookballiet . There is a great waterfall about a mile in, and many smaller cascades along the way. Jones Gap State Park. The Jones Gap Trail (blue) is an easy to moderate trail following the Saluda river. Once back to the Saluda, the return is easy! It's just a couple of hundred feet long and worth taking a look. 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. Once back to the Saluda, the return is easy! #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]. Where is your favorite place to hike with your family? Reserved parking spaces will be held until 2 p.m. The Jones Gap Trail (blue) is an easy to moderate trail following the Saluda river. In the Caesars Head section, the best-known destination is 420-foot Raven Cliff Falls. 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. It's just a … Jones Gap State Park and Caesars Head State Park make up the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. It's just a couple of hundred feet long and worth taking a look. The Jones Gap Trail (blue) is an easy to moderate trail following the Saluda river. Camping: Call 1-866-345-PARK (7275) or go online at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com to … Jones Gap State Park: Lota hiking - See 116 traveler reviews, 175 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. The view of the falls are BEAUTIFUL! Another .6 miles down and the trail to the Jones Gap Falls will be on the right. It is one of the most amazing places in the southeast if you love rugged terrain, killer tough hikes, waterfalls, and primitive camping. This route can done as either a point-to-point or an out-and-back. 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