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.
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.
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.
Google Maps/Lucie DiCristofaro

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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.
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.
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.
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).
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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Jones Gap State Park, 303 Jones Gap Rd, Marietta, SC 29661, USA