There is a lot of history to discover in South Carolina. Wherever you happen to toss a rock, something profound is likely to have happened nearby. When seeking vacation spots that provide the opportunity to experience South Carolina both as it is and also as it once was, consider Jones Gap State Park. It is a living piece of South Carolina's history primed for your enjoyment, and you don’t need to be a local to appreciate all it has to offer.

Whether you’re a hiker keen on trekking or just want to relax with the sounds of the Middle Saluda River as background noise, Jones Gap State Park is the perfect South Carolina destination to get away from it all. South Carolina is an outdoorsy traveler’s mecca, and you owe it to yourself to see how the 8th state to join the Union ranks as far as outdoor adventures go. 

Are you ready? Read on to learn more about why Jones Gap State Park should be your next RV road trip adventure!

What Is Jones Gap State Park?

Jones Gap State Park is named for Solomon Jones, who built a toll road from 1840 to 1848 from Caesars Head, SC to Cedar Mountain, NC. Known as the “Jones Gap Road,” this unpaved route connected two very rural areas in South and North Carolina up until a new highway was built in the 1930s. 

Eventually, land in the area was bought up from lumber companies that had gobbled up Jones Gap land once the road came into disuse; it was then acquired for South Carolina’s Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and became a state park over the course of the late 1970s and 1980s. 

Where Is Jones Gap State Park?

Situated near Marietta, SC (not to be confused with Marietta, Georgia), Jones Gap State Park offers a true rural Southern experience. Located 25 miles north of Greenville, South Carolina (in northern Greenville County, naturally) and 45 miles south of Asheville, North Carolina, Jones Gap State Park lives in its history and geography. Jones Gap State Park hosts the headwaters of the Saluda River and has 60 miles of trails, two waterfalls, and a whole host of other attractions.

Given its location near the South Carolina-North Carolina border, Jones Gap State Park is one of the Palmetto State’s most celebrated and most visited state parks. As far as weekend destinations go, Jones Gap State Park can fill both days, all the more so if you decide to go camping within its environs. 

What Is So Special About Jones Gap State Park?

Jones Gap State Park sits on land that once bridged North and South Carolina and today acts as a tourist destination for residents of both states. Whether you’re in one of the “-villes” (Asheville, NC or Greenville, SC) or visiting from further afield, Jones Gap State Park offers amazing opportunities to take in the great outdoors in a historic setting. 

What Is There To Do at Jones Gap State Park?

What to do? Well, if you’re an angler, you can fish to your delight so long as you have a South Carolina fishing license (brook, rainbow, and brown trout are there for the catching!). Doubt your chances? Jones Gap State Park has plenty of places for you to fish, with freshwater creeks and river outlets teeming with life! 

Oh, and if you prefer to get out and about in nature rather than sit by the waters? Not to worry, you’re in luck! There are trails, bird-watching opportunities, and geocaching activities to keep you busy for the duration of your stay at Jones Gap State Park.

There is also an interpretive center for kids (and/or parents) who want to learn about the flora and fauna of the area. In particular, check out the Great Woodland Adventure Trail and Animal Discovery Den.

Can You Go RV Camping at Jones Gap State Park?

Unfortunately, there is no RV camping space at Jones Gap State Park. Why? Well, the roads simply cannot accommodate large vehicles, nor are there any parking spaces for them.

However, there are RV campgrounds nearby that offer RV road trippers the chance to rest and relax close to the action. In particular, check out Palmetto Cove RV Park (148 full hookup RV campsites) or GSP RV Park (37 RV campsites) as options if traveling there in a Cruise America RV rental! There is also the Travelers Rest/N Greenville KOA Holiday nearby!

Visit Jones Gap State Park With Cruise America!

RV travelers who get to know Jones Gap State Park will likely want to come back for more, but how will they get there in the first place? Whether it’s your first trip to South Carolina or your 50th, Cruise America has RVs that can get you to wherever you want to go in the Palmetto State and beyond. To see what vehicles are in stock for you — what sort of modern, safe, and comfortable RVs await RV road trippers like you — get in touch with Cruise America today!