Hiking Jones Gap With Kids

Have you tried hiking Jones Gap State Park?
Just 25 miles from downtown Greenville is a breathtaking scene of mountain forest greenery. Here, boulder-hopping, waterfall viewing, trout fishing, primitive camping, and more await as you stare up in wonder at the Eastern Continental Divide. Hiking Jones Gap is fun for all skill levels and groups as there are trails for everyone, usually with a waterfall find!

Parking at Jones Gap is limited, and weekend and holiday visitors must reserve a parking space online to guarantee entry. You can make a reservation here. Due to high demand, parking sells out frequently on weekends in the spring and early summer, so please plan ahead. Parking is always first-come, first-served on non-holiday weekdays.

The cost to reserve a parking space is $5. Spots will be held until 1 pm. No lines will be allowed to form at the gate of the park. Once the park is at capacity, the gates will be closed and not open until 1 pm. You can check to see if parking is full before your visit.

Check out more of the best state parks in South Carolina!

Want more tips on places to hike in the Upstate? Check out our list of best places to hike with toddlers and young kids.

What to expect at Jones Gap

As you enter the park, you’ll immediately come upon the beautiful Middle Saluda River as it winds its way through the forest, babbling around corners and cascading over boulders. Many strenuous trails lead to waterfalls throughout the park, including the beautiful (but strenuous) trail which leads to Rainbow Falls. It’s even possible to hike from Jones Gap to Caesars Head (just not recommended with tots).

Luckily for families with little ones, a popular moderate trail follows the river to a waterfall, allowing hikers to enjoy the river every step of the way. This trail is a small portion of the Jones Gap Trail, and it leads to Jones Gap Falls.

For a round-trip hike of three miles out and back, it has a lot to offer! Boulders are strewn about the moderate trail which has always proved very entertaining for my kiddos. They hop, scale, and launch off left and right. There is, of course, the river. Always available for a cool dip or a nice picnic.

And eventually, there is the waterfall “reward”! A fan waterfall splashes over a 50-foot drop, spilling over a staircase of granite ledges and misting little faces with excitement. Pack a picnic and plan to spend a few hours on this lovely trail with your kiddos. The trail is so beautiful that if your kids can’t stick it out to the falls, nothing will be lost alongside that gorgeous river.

Parking at Jones Gap

There are only a few parking spaces available at Jones Gap. The park requires parking space reservations on the weekends and holidays. No line is allowed to form at the gate. Unused spots open at 1 pm. If I were to haul my kiddos out there and find the parking lot full, I’d plan on hopping over to Table Rock or Caesars Head as a backup plan.

Plan your own trip!

Jones Gap State Park
303 Jones Gap Road, Marietta
864-836-3647

$6 for adults, $3.50 kids 6 – 15, kids 5 and under are free

9 am – 8 pm during Daylight Savings time, 9 am to 6 pm the rest of the year.