Jones Gap Falls. To the right just past the bridge is the bulletin board that marks the beginning of Jones Gap Trail. saw half a dozen people coming back from rainbow falls, and had Jones gap falls to ourselves for the 20 minutes we stopped at the falls, Lake Wattacoo Via Mountain Bridge Passage Trail, Ashmore Heritage Preserve Trail (Chandler Rock), Jones Gap and Coldspring Branch to Bill Kimball Trail, Mine Mountain, Cart Trail, and Laurel Ridge Loop, Bridal Veil Falls via Mine Mountain, Cart Trail, Corn Mill Shoals, Pretty Place and Rainbow Falls via Hospital Rock and Jones Gap Trail [PRIVATE PROPERTY], Oil Creek, Pinnacle Pass, Rim of the Gap Loop, Gum Gap Trail - Foothills Trail Extension: Jones Gap to Sassafras Mountain. Turn left onto the service road and cross a bridge. Jones Gap State Park | 303 Jones Gap Road, Marietta, SC 29661 | (864) 836-3647 | Email. Turn RIGHT onto River Falls Road (S-97). Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. I like to continue on the fairly short distance to this waterfall after completing the Rainbow Falls Trail. Take a moment to look at the kiosk and fill out the registration info. The waterfall is located in Jones Gap State Park, part of the Middle Bridge Wilderness area. Great trail. Make sure you pack it in and pack it out. Cold temperatures and ice have forced the seasonal closure of the yellow-blazed, western section of the Rim of the Gap Trail (between junction with trails 15-Frank Coggins, and 21-John Sloan). Therefore, it is not recommended for … The trail to the falls follows the boulder-strewn Departing Jones Gap, travel approximately .75 miles along the blue blazed Jones Gap Trail, then veer to the right onto the red blazed Rainbow Falls Trail. The trailhead to Rainbow Falls starts just past the visitors center on the other side of the Middle Saluda River. You have to make a reservation online before you can enter the park. The other two popular falls in the area are Falls Creek Falls and Raven Cliff Falls but require an extended run or drive to reach them. Jones Gap State Park: Rainbow Falls is Excellent - See 115 traveler reviews, 175 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. Backcountry campsites 10-13 are located fairly close to the falls and river. Our 2.2 mile hike to Rainbow Falls begins at Jones Gap State Park. You have to travel through the Palmetto Bible Camp to find it. The trailhead is not in the main part of the park. it follows the river pretty closely with a couple very small streams crossing the trail, nothing you couldn't easily cross. The Foothills Trail is an 80-mile foot trail running along the Blue Ridge Escarpment from Oconee State Park north of Walhalla, SC to Table Rock State Park north of Pickens, SC. We will likely try the Rainbow Falls next time. The park features a ranger station with public restrooms, a parking lot, and picnic tables. The Hike -- Jones Gap Trail to Rainbow Falls Trail and back Jones Gap State Park -- South Carolina -- December 26th, 2011 I went to Jones Gap State Park today, intending to do part of the Jones Gap trail and return; however upon my arrival and looking at the park map, I noticed Rainbow Falls Trail which was the perfect distance for a short hike. There’s a lot of easy parts but just enough rocks, streams to cross and roots to make it interesting. At about 1 mile the trail crosses the river over a very nicely constructed bridge that provides a great view of the Middle Saluda River. It’s relatively flat on the floor of the gap although there are some rocky areas that you’ll want to be careful about. All rights reserved. Both hikers over 55. The trail to Jones Gap Falls is very pleasant as it follows the river the majority of the hike. 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. There is a nice trout hatchery the you can see some baby trout and little bit bigger size trout. If you stay straight on the trail, you'll end up at another waterfall: Jones Gap Falls. Cross the sturdy footbridge over the river and you're on your way. To get to Rainbow falls you will initially follow the blue blazed Jones Gap Trail for … In this cove backcountry the river is quite wild with many waterfalls and rapids that add exciting sights and sounds to a pristine mountain woodland. You can expect rocky trails similar to old creek beds. Dog enjoyed it. Continue on an asphalt path past the picnic area and the Park Headquarters.4. Continue on US 276 for 1.4 miles. Fill out a registration form before you start your hike.5. When it comes to angling-especially trout fishing-South Carolina really shines. Jones Gap Trail Hiking Trail, Slater-Marietta, South Carolina Reaching Rainbow Falls is a very strenuous five-mile round-trip hike. Sorry about that! 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. trail was clear, very rocky. Jones Gap also provides superb primitive camping sites along the rocky and scenic Middle Saluda River. Nice trail. We took the Jones Gap Trail (blue blazes) to the Rainbow Falls Trail (red blazes). It’s an easy, scenic pathway alongside the Middle Saluda River and is child- and pet-friendly. 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. Jones Gap Falls is a 3.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Slater-Marietta, South Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. © 2021 South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Jones Gap Falls is a delightful 40 Foot cascade tucked away in Jones Gap State Park. From here, climb approximately 1,000 feet over a distance of 1.6 miles to the base of Rainbow Falls. On these trails you can also find 5 waterfalls: Falls Creek Falls, Jones Gap Falls, Rainbow Falls, Dargans Cascades and Silver Steps Falls. The falls were nice. Buckeye Falls is a picturesque 60-70 foot waterfall just off the Hospital Rock Trail in Jones Gap State Park. From Greenville, NORTH on US 276 past junction with SC 11 at Cleveland2. Ranger told us that the hike from information center to the Jones Gap Falls was “easy”. The hike to Jones Gap Falls is about 2.6 miles round trip and is a moderately strenuous hike. In a half-dozen previous visits I had yet to enjoy this pretty little gem. Jones Gap Falls is a 5.6 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Slater-Marietta, South Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. A 19-mile spur trail connects to Caesars Head and Jones Gap State Parks north of Greenville, SC. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and fishing. Lots of rocks and wet, but not too challenging and still fun. Drive 4 miles to the main gate of Jones Gap State Park, and turn RIGHT into the designated parking area.3. Excellent bird watching can be enjoyed on this trail. It cost $5.30. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This hike follows the Jones Gap trail along the Middle Saluda River to Jones Gap Falls, then returns the same way. Best hike this weekend...love hiking next to water! Short Run: Parking in Jones Gap Park, follow Jones Gap Trail for about 1.5 miles, about a 3-mile round trip or add in Rainbow Falls Trail for a longer run to both falls… The linked map is best viewed online or picked up at locations identified on website. Several small streams to step over, nice creek side hike to the waterfall. Passing the pond, the trail dives into the woods, leading to a group of primitive camp sites. Jones Gap Trail #1 will follow the river for the most part and is kind of wide and rocky with a few larger rocks scattered about. Not true—-It was extremely rocky and uneven. It's a 2.5 mile hike to the base of the waterfall and the hike gains over 1200' in elevation which could make this a strenuous hike for Gap State Park. If you are following the JFT on Google maps, it is intermittently identified as the Jones Falls Trail and East Coast Greenway. The start of the Jones Gap Trail is located to left of the wooden bridge that crosses to the Ranger Station from the upper parking area. For a round-trip hike of 2.6 miles (1.3 each way), it has a lot to offer! The 2.4-mile hike begins in Jones Gap State Park. Start off on the Jones Gap Trail, a pleasant walk along the Middle Saluda River. From the parking lot follow the signs to the visitors center and then follow the signs to Jones Gap Trail. At approximately 1 mile you will cross the Middle Saluda River on the John Reid Clonts Memorial Bridge and the trail will bear left.6. Jones Gap State Park Hiking: There are over 60 miles of hiking trails in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, connecting Jones Gap and Caesars Head State Parks. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and fishing. The numbers on the website are only to count the number of people that are allowed in the park prior to 2:00 p.m. After 2:00 p.m. it is 1st come 1st serve. The trail to the falls follows the boulder-strewn Middle Saluda River, which is in sight most of the way. Beautiful, not a bad incline at all, just technical when it comes to it being rocky. At about the halfway point, the trail turns to the right to head up to Rainbow Falls. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/south-carolina/jones-gap-state-park A moderate one mile hike from near the Jones Gap State Park Headquarters leads to this 50-foot falls descending over a rugged stone staircase. Jones Gap Trail -- 2,020' The Jones Gap Trail was once a major 'road' which climbed into the mountains. Camping: Call 1-866-345-PARK (7275) or go online at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com to make your reservations today! From there, the trail winds mostly downhill through forest for the next 1.8 miles until you reach a wooden sign for Jones Falls, with a short, 0.1 mile trail marked with blue blazes that takes you straight to the waterfall, for a total one-way distance of 5.3 miles. It's a great walk along the side of the river it can be a little muddy in spots I recommend it to everybody. Had to constantly look down so couldn’t really take in scenery. Waterfalls a pretty sight narrow entrance to the waterfall. It was such a fun day! A small waterfall. It is easy to follow and is marked with blue blazes. At about the three-quarter-mile mark, you'll hit the junction to the Rainbow Falls Trail. I had read somewhere it was a dry creek bed and I think that’s an accurate description of the trail. J ones Gap State Park sits on the Blue Ridge Escarpment in upstate South Carolina very near the state line with its neighbor to the north. The Jones Falls Trail Green Map link. We will add a better more recent map as soon… Two young children had a great time on the hike as well. The Jones Gap Trail continues west on a moderate grade for another 3 miles to its western (upper) terminus at US 276 near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line. You navigate boulders and it is very muddy. Jones Gap Trail to Rainbow Falls, Jones Gap State Park. Posted by Jeff on Jan 3, 2016 @ 12:03 pm in Hiking, Hiking Blog, Mountain Bridge Wilderness, Rated Difficult Hikes, South Carolina, Water Hikes | 0 comments | Last modified: February 20, 2020 . There is roadside parking for maybe 7 or 8 cars, so get there early before it fills up. The trail begins alongside the rock-walled trout pond left over from the Cleveland Fish Hatchery built in that location in 1931. Pretty hike with the trail following the Middle Tyger most of the way leading to the base of a nice and unique waterfall at the end. (A convenience store is at this intersection.)3. With attractions like Rainbow Falls and the Rim-of-the-Gap Trail within its boundaries, its understandable that I had yet to visit this lesser-known natural wonder of Jones Gap State Park. At 1.5 miles, the Jones Gap Falls Trail goes back about 150 feet to your right where you'll find the falls in a shallow pool. I'm not sure if the waterfall is on Camp Greenville property or is now part of Jones Gap State Park, but this is now the official trail to the waterfall. It is rocky and leads to some scrambling, but manageable. Falls Creek Falls is a waterfall in Jones Gap State Park that features a 50-foot cascade that breaks over several stages. The hike to the 50' Jones Gap Falls is along a section of the Jones Gap Trail. There is not a number parking spot. It's still the easiest trail of the loop with a moderate climb. Its easternmost terminus is Jones Gap State Park and the 5.3-mile long trail meanders through lush woodlands towards Caesars Head State Park. This trail is a small portion of the Jones Gap Trail and it leads to Jones Gap Falls. A moderate one mile hike from near the Jones Gap State Park Headquarters leads to this 50-foot falls descending over a rugged stone staircase. Although the out-and-back Jones Gap Trail is a moderately difficult trail, it delves into some of the Upstate’s most scenic country. The terrain is gradually uphill to the falls, with large rocks and stream crossings studding the path the entire way. The trail was repaired years ago and is in good shape. Boulders are strewn about the moderate trail which has always proved very entertaining for my kiddos – … Creating community through people, parks and programs.Visit a local or state park near you. One of my favorite trails! Most people who visit Jones Gap State Park stroll the gently ascending Jones Gap Trail to Jones Gap Falls. 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