Visitors can find the unforgettable peace and repose of a deep mountain cove at Jones Gap State Park. Trails and 11,000 acres of pristine mountain woodlands join the park with Caesars Head in what is known as the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. 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 South Carolina hikers know and love.
When it comes to angling-especially trout fishing-South Carolina really shines. The state’s first designated scenic river, the Middle Saluda River, runs through Jones Gap and offers some of the best trout fishing South Carolina has to offer–and the trout fishing in South Carolina is quite good. The park also features a living lab for the park’s hand-on ecology learning center.
Fishing Information: Enjoy fishing in the Middle Saluda, Matthews and Julian creeks for brook, rainbow and brown trout. A valid South Carolina fishing license is required. Artifical lures/flies only, please.
Fishing: Yes
Freshwater Fishing: Yes
Bird Watching: Jones Gap is a great park for birdwatching. Resident birds and spring migratory songbirds are plentiful.
Birding: Yes
Hiking Trails: A network of easy to strenuous hiking trails in the Mountain Bridge Recreation Area links Caesars Head and Jones Gap state parks. Registering with the park before using these trails is mandatory. Detailed trail maps are available for sale at the park headquarters. Trails include (mileage shown is one-way):
Cleveland Connector (0.5 mile)
Coldspring Branch (2.6 miles)
Jones Gap NRT #1 (Jones Gap Falls) (5.3 miles)
Hospital Rock #30 (4.4 miles)
Rainbow Falls Trail (2.2 miles)
John Sloan #21 (0.9 mile)
Pinnacle Pass #20 (10 miles)
Rim of the Gap #6 (4.3 miles)
Hiking: Yes
CAMPING
Camping Information: Camping is allowed only on designated campsites. Camping in other than designated areas may result in a fine. No drive up campsites are available on the park. There are no water or electricity provided at the campsites.
