Waterfall Trail

Jones Gap Falls

(Greenville County)

Trail Map    Photo

   
Description: The moderately difficult hike to the falls begins near the Park Headquarters at Jones Gap State Park. After you fill out the hiker registration form, you will hike a section of the Jones Gap Trail, which follows the boulder-strewn Middle Saluda River, and crosses several bridges. After approximately one mile you will turn right on a short spur trail to the falls. Although not as spectacular as some of the other falls in the area, Jones Gap has a character of its own as it descends 50 feet over a staircase of stone. The falls provides a great haunt for salamanders, but you will probably spend more time bird watching.

Height: 50 feet

Length of hike: 1 mile

Time to hike: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Moderate

Creek or river: Tributary of Middle Saluda

USGS Quadrangle: Cleveland  

Directions to falls:

1. From Greenville, drive north on US 276 to the junction with SC 11 at Cleveland.

2. Continue on US 276 for 1.4 miles and turn right onto River Falls Road (Greenville County S-23-97). (An F-Mart convenience store is at this intersection.)

3. Drive 4 miles to the main gate of Jones Gap State Park, and turn right into the designated parking area.

3. Walk on the footpath from the parking lot and cross the footbridge over the Middle Saluda. Continue on an asphalt path past the picnic area and the Park Headquarters.

4. Turn left onto the service road and cross a bridge. To the right just past the bridge is the bulletin board that marks the beginning of Jones Gap Trail. Fill out a registration form before you start your hike.

5. 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. Cross on the stepping stones of the tributary just past Campsite 11 and immediately turn right onto the short spur trail to the falls.  

Information: Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area (Jones Gap State Park), 8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC, 29635. 864-836-6115