One of my favorite adventures in this area is to camp along the Middle Saluda River, then hike to Rainbow Falls, and continue on to Pretty Place Chapel. A moderate one mile hike from near the Jones Gap State Park Headquarters leads to this 50-foot falls descending over a rugged stone staircase. You will find campsites off this trail which are set along the water and have fire pits. 116 Reviews #1 of 6 things to do in Marietta. Rainbow Falls makes a nice side trip if you have the time and energy, but this hike angles left to stay on the Jones Gap Trail. Although the out-and-back Jones Gap Trail is a moderately difficult trail, it delves into some of the Upstate’s most scenic country. From this point its 1.6 miles one way. Make sure you register at the sign board before starting your hike. Rainbow Falls in particular is an amazing sight to see. There is roadside parking for maybe 7 or 8 cars, so get there early before it fills up. 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 and Palmetto Trail South Carolina hikers know and love. Jones Gap Trail to Jones Gap Falls, Jones Gap State Park. Make sure you register at the sign board before starting your hike. One of my favorite South Carolina Waterfall Hikes is the Rainbow Falls Trail in Jones Gap State Park. Many come for a day hike to the Rainbow Falls which is more of a challenging section and Jones Gap Falls which adds to the Middle Saluda River and is an easier out-and-back hike (often for hikers with dogs). It is 2.2 miles one way with an elevation gain of around 1,200 feet. The hike from the parking lot to Jones Gap Falls is not as steep, and you'll get to enjoy the river along the way. A small side trail will go back about 150 feet or so to Jones Gap Falls which is kind of tucked away. Jones Gap State Park . The trek to the falls is strenuous but moderately short, and can be doable with kids if you plan ahead. Excellent bird watching can be enjoyed on this trail. Registering with the park before using these trails is mandatory. The Jones Gap Trail is 5.3 miles but we are only going to be hiking about 1 mile of it on this trip. Posted by Jeff on Feb 20, 2020 @ 9:55 am in Hiking, Hiking Blog, Mountain Bridge Wilderness, Rated Easy Hikes, South Carolina, Water Hikes | 0 comments | Last modified: February 20, 2020 . The Rainbow Falls Trail leads 0.5 steep and rocky miles to its namesake waterfall, which at 80-100 feet tall is one of the park’s tallest waterfalls. Make no mistake that this is a strenuous hike. Picture a glistening ribbon of water plunging 80-100 feet over a granite ledge into a pool below which beckons rock-hopping, wading, and endless photo ops. Save. You can make camping reservations here. While the climb is pretty relentless with some very steep sections, there are a few relatively level stretches where you can catch your breath. When the Jones Gap Trail diverges about a half-mile in, keep to the left and follow the red blazes marking the Rainbow Falls Trail. The hike departs from the Grassy Ridge trailhead in Gorges State Park, near Cashiers, NC (view maps and driving directions).Gorges State Park is one of the newest in North Carolina’s state park system, and with an annual rainfall of over 80 inches, the park classifies as a temperate rain forest. Cold temperatures and ice have forced the seasonal closure of the yellow-blazed, western section of the Rim of the Gap Trail (between junction with trails 15-Frank Coggins, and 21-John Sloan). Jones Gap is home to Falls Creek Falls, Rainbow Falls, Jones Gap Falls, and Silver Steps Falls. Jones Gap State Park, Marietta Picture: Rainbow Falls Trail, Jones Gap State Park - Check out Tripadvisor members' 207 candid photos and videos. - See 115 traveler reviews, 175 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. Have you thought about taking your kids to Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park but you are unsure if they can handle the hike? Jones Gap State Park: Great hike to Rainbow Falls! The following trails are closed until further notice due to damage from Hurricane Zeta: Upper Jones Gap, and Tom Miller. A small side trail will go back about 150 feet or so to Jones Gap Falls which is kind of tucked away. The trail to the falls follows the boulder-strewn Middle Saluda River, which is in sight most of the way. Is this your business? 0.8 miles from the day-use lot, the red-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail exits right. One of the great attractions in the green sanctuary of Jones Gap State Park is Rainbow Falls. The marked trail ends at Rainbow Falls, however hikers can continue upstream about 1/4 mile to Turtleback Falls. These two falls are popular in this section of Jones Gap State Park close to the Ranger Station. Jones Gap also provides superb primitive camping sites along the rocky and scenic Middle Saluda River. It is easy to follow and is marked with blue blazes. Detailed trail maps are available for sale at the park headquarters. The trail to Rainbow Falls branches off to the right from the Jones Gap trail and is blazed with red. Accessing Rainbow Falls via the trail above requires a paid admittance to Jones Gap State Park. Rainbow Falls is Excellent - Jones Gap State Park. The Hike -- Jones Gap Trail to Rainbow Falls Trail and back Jones Gap State Park -- South Carolina -- December 26th, 2011 I went to Jones Gap State Park today, intending to do part of the Jones Gap trail and return; however upon my arrival and looking at the park map, I noticed Rainbow Falls Trail which was the perfect distance for a short hike. Dogs are allowed on the trail as long as they are kept on a leash. In the spring, azalea, meadow rue, and Solomon's plume envelope many of the boulders. You have to travel through the Palmetto Bible Camp to find it. Jones Gap State Park, Marietta Picture: Rainbow Falls Trail, Jones Gap State Park - Check out Tripadvisor members' 214 candid photos and videos of Jones Gap State Park Cross the sturdy footbridge over the river and you're on your way. If you know what to expect and do a little extra planning, these spectacular falls can be on your summer bucket list. A steep climb brings you past several water features on your way to the falls so this is a dog-friendly route. United States ; South Carolina (SC) Marietta ; Marietta - Things to Do ; Jones Gap State Park; Search. We apologize for the inconvenience. Jones Gap State Park, Marietta Picture: Rainbow Falls Trail, Jones Gap State Park - Check out Tripadvisor members' 213 candid photos and videos. It closely follows the Middle Saluda River, occasionally crossing the rushing water on narrow logs. Start off on the Jones Gap Trail, a pleasant walk along the Middle Saluda River. The steep trail features a number of rocky staircases and gains 800 feet in elevation over the next 1.6 miles en route to the waterfall. We apologize for the inconvenience. I once again had Ava, my boxer, with me. Needless to say if you enjoy waterfalls, this is the place to come. Reaching Rainbow Falls is a very strenuous five-mile round-trip hike. Once the trail leaves Gorges State Park and enters the National Forest, camping is allowed anywhere along the trail. The daily park entrance fee is $5 for adults; $3.25 for South Carolina seniors (age 65 & older); $3 for children ages 6-15; and admission is free for ages 5 and under. Falls Creek Falls is a waterfall in Jones Gap State Park that features a 50-foot cascade that breaks over several stages. To get to Rainbow falls you will initially follow the blue blazed Jones Gap Trail for about 3/4's of a mile. State Parks. J ones Gap State Park sits on the Blue Ridge Escarpment in upstate South Carolina very near the state line with its neighbor to the north. I have been taking my boys up the strenuous trail to the falls since they were 5 and 6 years old – and you can too! This popular trail is jointly maintained by Gorges State Park and the Pisgah Ranger District. 303 Jones Gap Rd, Marietta, SC 29661-9603. Jones Gap State Park: Rainbow Falls - See 116 traveler reviews, 175 candid photos, and great deals for Marietta, SC, at Tripadvisor. The trail for 100' high Rainbow Falls starts about 0.25 miles down Jones Gap Trail. The trailhead is not in the main part of the park. Several pools in the river provide wading opportunities and salamander hunts. 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) Rainbow Falls drops 100 feet over steep walls streaked with black and tan from the alternating layers of amphibolite gneiss, granitic gneiss, and mica schist. Rainbow Falls NC: the hike. When it comes to angling-especially trout fishing-South Carolina really shines. The falls area is more quiet than Rainbow Falls when it comes to people but is unique in its own way. You can do this but allocate plenty of time and make sure you pack lots of water, especially during the warmer summer months. The falls area is more quiet than Rainbow Falls when it comes to people but is unique in its own way. Its easternmost terminus is Jones Gap State Park and the 5.3-mile long trail meanders through lush woodlands towards Caesars Head State Park. Departing Jones Gap, travel approximately .75 miles along the blue blazed Jones Gap Trail, then veer to the right onto the red blazed Rainbow Falls Trail. At about the three-quarter-mile mark, you'll hit the junction to the Rainbow Falls Trail. Jones Gap State Park is part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, which consists of 11,000 acres of natural woodlands and mountains along the Blue Ridge Escarpment (PDF).The Jones Gap Trail is 5.3 miles long and follows the old Solomon Jones toll road, operated between 1840 and 1910. The trail accesses the Horse Pasture River and follows it upstream. From here, climb approximately 1,000 feet over a distance of 1.6 miles to the base of Rainbow Falls. At 100 feet tall, you can hear the water rushing off of the cliff on Cox Camp Creek almost a mile away. The trail to Jones Gap Falls is very pleasant as it follows the river the majority of the hike.