Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina, literally a few hundred yards past the state line, is one of my favorite places to hike.  I like to enter at the forest service gate on 276.  You cannot park there anymore but we park at the intersection of Solomon Jones road and 276 and walk the short section of road to the trail head.  If you would prefer to hike from a parking lot, follow the road about a mile and park at Silver Steps parking area.  We like to hike to the Silver Step Falls and relax by the falls and take in the spray.  It is a bit over 3 miles round trip.

Entrance to Jones Gap Trail from 276.

This entrance is rugged and it is a climb back up. Recent rains have rutted it quite a bit. I love going in this way because it is close to the headwaters of the Middle Saluda. I love hiking this trail because you get to watch the river grow and you get to hear the water as you hike. It is heavenly. There are so many wildflowers in the gap. We love to hike in late April and early May to see how many we can find.

There are some narrow bridge crossings over the river.  There are also elevated logs to help get through wet areas.  You will definitely get your shoes wet hiking to the falls.  There are a lot of rocks on trail too.