South Carolina
Nature|National & State Parks

Explore A True Hidden Gem In South Carolina At Jones Gap State Park

Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina offers unique hiking and camping experiences in a pristine wilderness setting.

Published Jan 25, 2021

Written by 

Robin Jarvis

South Carolina is home to 47 state parks, all of which offer something unique. When you're in the mood to get outside and play, you can't go wrong when you visit a state park, where trails are carved into the landscape, camping is more often than not an option for inexpensive lodging, and a variety of other recreational opportunities abound.

If you really want to explore a hidden gem, though, you'll head to just outside of Marietta, South Carolina, to Jones Gap State Park.

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Google Maps/Steve Evans

The park consists of 3,900 acres of pristine wilderness that joins into the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area merging this park with another state park, Caesars Head, for a total of 13,000 acres.

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TripAdvisor/DeAnna S

Jones Gap, though, is unique in that it's carved into a slender mountain cove. And exploring the floor of that cove as well as up into the surrounding mountains is like stepping into Narnia.

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Google Maps/Lucie DiCristofaro

The Middle Saluda River cuts right down the floor of the cove and its boulder-strewn basin is covered in bright green moss-covered rocks that seem plucked from the pages of a storybook. This, combined with the lofty green canopy high overhead is a swoon-worthy sight for just about anyone.

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Google Maps/David Spaulding

The park itself has just over 28 miles of hiking trails that are magical all unto themselves. Another 32 miles of trails in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area top off the total hiking distance here at 60 miles.

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Google Maps/Jan Thomas

By far, the most popular (and with good reason!) trail is the 4.3-mile Rainbow Falls Trail that leads to a 100 foot waterfall deep in the cove.

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Google Maps/G User

For those into back country camping, Jones Gap has 18 trail side sites that can be reserved for your visit. To reserve a site, call 1-866-345-PARK (7275).

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TripAdvisor/RamblinGal11

If you're planning to visit Jones Gap State Park on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you'll need to reserve a parking spot at least a day in advance. A parking reservation costs $5 per vehicle (in addition to park admission). Learn more about parking reservations at this link. Jones Gap State Park is open year-round beginning at 9 a.m. The park closes at 9 p.m. in warmer months and at 6 p.m during winter. Admission is $6 for adults; $3.75 for SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50 for children ages 6-15; and ages 5 and under are free. Learn more from the official website for South Carolina State Parks.

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Nature|Hiking

Hike This Easy Trail in South Carolina for an Unforgettable Adventure

This easy trail in beautiful Cheraw State Park won't take all day and has some gorgeous views!

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

We love a good difficult hike that ends up being an all-day trek. If you ask us, there's no better way to get out and exercise - after all, there are plenty of great trails in South Carolina, and you're surrounded by natural beauty wherever you go! Still, we also recognize the need for family-friendly hikes, too. Maybe you're not in the best of shape, or you're out with young kids or use mobility aids like a wheelchair or walker. If you're in the mood for something a bit more relaxed but just as beautiful, we think you'll love the spot we're featuring today. The gorgeous Lake Juniper Boardwalk Trail in Cheraw's Cheraw State Park is one of our favorite kid-friendly hikes in the Palmetto State. The scenery is lovely, and it's quite the easy jaunt that just about anyone can enjoy.

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Scott Densmore/AllTrails

Cheraw State Park shares its name with the city where it lies, and it's a wonderful place for an afternoon of fun. One of the biggest draws here is the championship golf course, but you'll find plenty of other amenities, like the magnificent 360-acre Lake Juniper.

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calder wilson/AllTrails

There's a lot to do at the lake. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent, and it's full of catfish and bass, which is perfect for those looking to try their luck at fishing. If you're looking to make a few days out of your getaway here, the lakefront cabins offer great views of the water.

One of the lake's best simple pleasures, though, is to enjoy a walk along the shore. The 1.2-mile Lake Juniper Boardwalk Trail is one of the park's easiest hikes. With very little elevation gain and an out-and-back time of just under 25 minutes, this is the type of exercise that just about anyone can enjoy.

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Robert Timmons/AllTrails

The trail offers beautiful scenery. The five-foot-wide dirt and wooden path is appropriate for strollers or wheelchairs, and the gentle grade will not wear you out too much.

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Tina S/AllTrails

Next time you're looking for a family-friendly outing in nature, this is definitely the hike to check out!

For more information about this great hike in Lake Cheraw State Park, check out our friends at AllTrails.

If you're a regular hiker in South Carolina, you don't want to miss a free trial of AllTrails+. You'll get to enjoy amazing benefits like downloadable maps and trail guides that will help you make the most of all your adventures, whether you're close to home or across the globe.

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Nature|Hiking

The National Wildlife Refuge in South Carolina Where Can See Hundreds of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

Discover South Carolina's Santee National Wildlife Refuge, a birdwatcher's haven where hundreds of bird species can be spotted in just one afternoon.

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

I love animals, and there's nothing like the joy of seeing critters out thriving in nature. If you live in a bustling city, it can sometimes feel like we don't come in contact with much (other than the occasional downtown pigeon or maybe dodging a deer crossing the road). Luckily, there are plenty of amazing trails in South Carolina where you can safely observe wild animals from a respectful distance. One of our favorite places to do just that is the magnificent Santee National Wildlife Refuge in Clarendon County. This 15,000-acre preserve is tucked away right by the water and is an important habitat for nearly 300 different bird species. Even if you're not an expert on our feathered friends, just enjoying being out in nature and seeing how many different animals you can spot is a fun "I spy" activity that the whole family can enjoy.

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Jaxno Hale/AllTrails

The refuge lies alongside Lake Marion and is home to several bodies of water, which makes it an attractive habitat for all kinds of animals. In addition to birds, you might also spot alligators, salamanders, raccoons, squirrels, and even bobcats.

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Aundraya Hildebrand/AllTrails

The abundance of trees and wetlands makes this a vital stopover point for migratory birds like Canada geese. Flying that long route is tough, and it's invaluable that our feathered friends have somewhere to relax on their lengthy journeys.

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Michelle Eason/AllTrails

Of course, it's not just birds and other critters that love this place - it's also an amazing recreational spot for humans! The park is home to various trails, most of which are considered pretty easy, thanks to very little elevation gain.

Just remember to keep your eyes peeled while out on your hiking adventures. You never know what beautiful animals you might encounter. It's important to stay on marked trails to keep yourself and wildlife safe.

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Male Wood duck, Aix Sponsa, floating on water in fall.

For more information about the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, check out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. You can learn more about the refuge's hiking opportunities from our friends at AllTrails, a great resource for learning more about trails, no matter where you're located.

If you want to get the best view of wildlife at the refuge while giving wild birds and mammals their space, make sure to bring along a pair of high-quality binoculars! They'll let you keep a respectful distance while getting an up close and personal look.

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