Jones Gap State Park: Unwind in the Mountains with Your Dog

Jones Gap State Park is located in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and spans 13,000 acres of pristine mountain woodlands. Visitors can explore the trails that connect to Caesars Head and the Palmetto Trail, fish in the Middle Saluda River, and learn about the area's ecology at the park's ecology learning center.

Location: 303 Jones Gap Rd, Marietta, SC 29661

Park Hours: 9am - 9pm During Daylight Savings, 9am - 6pm Reminder of the Year

Admission: $6 adults; $3.75 SC seniors (age 65 & older); $3.50 children ages 6-15; ages 5 and under, free.

• 2 scenic waterfalls
• 18 wilderness/backcountry campsites
• 60+ miles of hiking trails of all difficulty levels
• 1 fish hatchery exhibit and trout pond that once was part of SC's first state-owned fish hatchery
• 1 designated scenic river, the Middle Saluda River, runs through the park and is available for fishing
• 13,000 acres of wilderness when combined with Caesars Head to form the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area

• The Middle Saluda River, South Carolina's first state-designated scenic river, runs through the park.
• A portion of the park also contains the Eastern Continental Divide. Rain falling on one side of this divide runs into streams that ultimately end in the Atlantic Ocean. Rain falling on the other side runs into streams that ultimately end and run into the Gulf of Mexico.
• The Cleveland Fish Hatchery, South Carolina's first state-owned and operated fish hatchery, is located at Jones Gap State Park. The hatchery only serves an exhibit role today but is home to brook trout, rainbow and brown trout. The trout pond holds 60-80 fish, and displays around the pond give information on each type of fish.
• Waterfalls that can be viewed from Jones Gap include Jones Gap Falls, Rainbow Falls, Dargans Cascades, and Silver Steps Falls.
• Wildcat Wayside, located on Hwy. 11 between Caesars Head and Jones Gap, includes the Lower Wildcat Falls and Upper Wildcat Falls.

Hiking with your dog can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend. For starters, it's a great way to bond with your pet and spend quality time together in nature. It also provides an opportunity for your dog to exercise, explore new sights and smells, and socialize with other dogs and people on the trail.

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. 

Hiker registration forms are located at the kiosk at each trailhead.

Camping at Jones Gap State Park can be a great experience for you and your furry friend.

With 18 backcountry trailside campsites available in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and explore the park's numerous hiking trails.

When camping with your dog, it's important to keep them under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. This is to ensure the safety of both your pet and the park's wildlife. 

Please note that no drive-up campsites are available at the park, and there is no water or electricity provided at the campsites. Additionally, campers are asked to follow internationally recognized "leave no trace" camping practices to preserve the park's natural beauty.

When hiking with your dog at Jones Gap State Park, it's important to follow a few guidelines:

• Keep your dog on a leash at all times.
• Bring plenty of water and snacks for both you and your dog.
• Clean up after your dog and properly dispose of waste.
• Respect other hikers and their dogs by keeping your dog under control and away from others who may be uncomfortable around dogs.