Trails / South Carolina / Upstate South Carolina

Mountain Bridge Wilderness: Jones Gap–Caesars Head Loop

Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area (Jones Gap and Caesars Head state parks), northern Greenville County

The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area joins Jones Gap and Caesars Head state parks into more than 11,000 acres on the Blue Ridge escarpment north of Greenville, according to Discover South Carolina, which says it has the state’s most extensive trail system. A two- or three-night loop links the two parks, passing Rainbow Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, and Moonshine and Confusion Falls.

Hiking Project gives the loop as 28.5 miles with about 6,300 feet of climbing and rates it very difficult. Both parks rate all of their trails advanced.

The hike

The loop starts on the Jones Gap Trail by the Jones Gap ranger station, where you fill out a registration card. Discover South Carolina says the trail follows part of a road built by Solomon Jones in the 1850s, along the Middle Saluda River, which it calls the state’s first designated scenic river. A side trail climbs to Rainbow Falls, which the park manager describes as a 2.2-mile hike with about 1,200 feet of gain.

Back on the Jones Gap Trail, Hiking Project says you pass backcountry sites about every half mile, plus a short spur to Jones Gap Falls, before reaching campsites #15 and #14 about 7 miles in.

Day two climbs the Tom Miller Trail, which Hiking Project calls the last easy water for several miles, crosses the road at the Caesars Head lot, and descends the Raven Cliff Falls and Gum Gap trails to the Naturaland Trust Trail. Around mile 13 are a suspension bridge and the Raven Cliff Falls overlook. Discover South Carolina says the falls drop 420 feet. Past the Dismal Trail junction, a half-mile side trail leads to Moonshine and Confusion Falls for water, and three campsites (#D1 to #D3) sit about a half mile apart farther up.

The last day follows the Pinnacle Pass Trail down an old road to Oil Camp Creek, with steep climbs and a view, past campsite #P1. Connector trails lead to the Rim of the Gap Trail, which Hiking Project says has “very challenging sections” and one high, wet, slippery rock crossing. Intermediate hikers can use a connector from Pinnacle Pass to shorten it.

Helene hit this area hard. The state said in February 2025 that uprooted trees and landslides had changed parts of the park, and Jones Gap was the last of 28 closed state parks to reopen.

The Foothills Trail over Sassafras Mountain connects to Caesars Head by a spur.

Tips

Reserve your campsite. Caesars Head says hike-in trailside sites require a reservation; Jones Gap says to book online or by phone (1-866-345-7275), and to book same-day or next-day stays through the park directly.
Check in early. Jones Gap says campers must check in at the ranger station, at least two hours before dark.
Reserve parking for weekends. Jones Gap requires it from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Carry water on the Caesars Head side. Hiking Project says some campsite water requires steep descents.
Expect no phone service. Jones Gap says there is none at the park.

Camping

Camping is allowed only at designated sites, by permit, according to the state’s trailside camping rules. Jones Gap says 14 of the 18 trailside sites have fire pits and four allow no fires. Campfires are allowed only in designated areas, using existing fire rings; burn only dead and down wood. Bury human waste 6 inches deep and at least 100 feet from water where there’s no privy. Keep pets on a leash 6 feet or shorter, and pack out everything. Alcohol is prohibited.

Inside Intel: A reviewer on The Dyrt recommends Jones Gap site 8, “right beside the river,” with more flat ground than the other sites they saw. On Hiking Project, a user’s photo caption recommends site #D3 for its closeness to Moonshine and Confusion Falls, but warns that water is down “a very steep embankment,” so fill up before camp.

Trail facts

Distance: 28.5 miles (Hiking Project); 27.2 miles (onX)
Route type: Loop
Difficulty: Very difficult
Campsites: #14 and #15 (Jones Gap Trail), #D1-#D3 (Naturaland Trust Trail), #P1 (Pinnacle Pass Trail), plus others on the Jones Gap Trail
Water: Middle Saluda River, Tom Miller Trail, Moonshine and Confusion Falls, Oil Camp Creek. Treat all water.
Permits: Campsite reservation; trail registration card
Fires: Only at designated rings; 14 of 18 sites have fire pits (park); none at #D1-#D3 or #P1 (Hiking Project)
Dogs: Leashed (6 feet or shorter)
Trailhead: Jones Gap State Park
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

The 1,200-foot climb to Rainbow Falls:

This Jones Gap and Caesars Head loop packs about 6,300 feet of climbing into 28.5 miles, and the Rainbow Falls side trail alone gains about 1,200 feet. See how to set your poles for steep, slippery terrain.

Get the trekking pole tips →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.