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My Quest To Visit All 47 South Carolina State Parks

Many of the sites in the campground were multi-level, as the campground clung to a slope of the mountain; me and Miss Traveller bunked up here...

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After setting up camp, I had time to run down the mountain to Piney Mountain Bike Lounge
https://www.pineymtb.com/
a combination mountain-bike repair shop and beer joint. I got a great steak burrito from the taco truck out front and headed back to camp -- I already had my beer needs covered by the Garden Spot Food Mart
https://www.yelp.com/biz/garden-spot-food-mart-5-greenville
a nearby unit of a local convenience-store chain that carries 100% ethanol-free gas in all three grades!!! They also have a nice selection of cold craft/micro/local brews. More on that spot in the next post...
 
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34. Jones Gap State Park
Marietta, SC off SC 11
Visited April 2024

southcarolinaparks.com

Jones Gap | South Carolina Parks Official Site

Serious outdoor enthusiasts belong in Jones Gap State Park. Trails, camping, and some of the finest trout fishing South Carolina has to offer await you!
southcarolinaparks.com southcarolinaparks.com
OK, so I stop off the next morning at the aforementioned gas stop to fill up on my way to Travelers Rest, scenic SC 11, Table Rock, etc. At the next pump is a local guy tanking up a vintage 60s Honda 400 Twin. After the usual bike banter, I tell him my plans and he says to just take Altamont Road (we're on the corner) to the right and it will go up and over Paris Mtn and bring me out in Travelers Rest! I avoided city snarls and had a great trip thru some decent twisties, great views of the city, and views of crazy houses being built cantilevered off the side of the mountain -- but what a view!


A little bit of cross-town boulevards, a quick break at the local Burger King, and a little outsmarting the GPS brought me to...

1716255616885.jpeg

work in the am...more soon!! Including THE BIG ROCK !!!!!

This is the Middle Saluda River, seen from the plank bridge off the handicapped parking lot at Jones Gap SP.
 
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Uncle Vern said:
34. Jones Gap State Park
Marietta, SC off SC 11
Visited April 2024

southcarolinaparks.com

Jones Gap | South Carolina Parks Official Site

Serious outdoor enthusiasts belong in Jones Gap State Park. Trails, camping, and some of the finest trout fishing South Carolina has to offer await you!
southcarolinaparks.com southcarolinaparks.com
OK, so I stop off the next morning at the aforementioned gas stop to fill up on my way to Travelers Rest, scenic SC 11, Table Rock, etc. At the next pump is a local guy tanking up a vintage 60s Honda 400 Twin. After the usual bike banter, I tell him my plans and he says to just take Altamont Road (we're on the corner) to the right and it will go up and over Paris Mtn and bring me out in Travelers Rest! I avoided city snarls and had a great trip thru some decent twisties, great views of the city, and views of crazy houses being built cantilevered off the side of the mountain -- but what a view!


A little bit of cross-town boulevards, a quick break at the local Burger King, and a little outsmarting the GPS brought me to...

View attachment 38906

work in the am...more soon!! Including THE BIG ROCK !!!!!
Click to expand...
@Uncle Vern keep it up, you’re getting there - most awesome journey this has been.

Thank You for sharing. After all is said and done you’ll have to give your top 10 recommended and why.

Wayne
 
2andblue said:
After all is said and done you’ll have to give your top 10 recommended and why.

Wayne
Click to expand...

Absatively, posolutely! In fact I am planning a Concourier article, and possibly one for South Carolina Wildlife as well (the house organ for the same SCDNR/PRT that operates the state parks here -- great photography and articles on wide-ranging outdoor topics).
 
...so I take US 276/Geer Hwy out of TR toward 11. A bit past 11 the turn to the right onto River Falls Rd/97 is at the F-Mart hot dog stand, https://maps.app.goo.gl/ncAeCMzm5Eyg82Jh7 just past the log-cabin-painted Winnebago that is The BBQ Hut,https://maps.app.goo.gl/VpYy6XtqsN91h1nx7 neither, sadly, open.
Jones Gap is mostly a park for hiking enthusiasts. It connects to Caesar's Head State Park via the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, 10,000 acres of mostly uncivilized mountain trails, streams, waterfalls, forest, etc. with trailside campsites available by reservation.

When I pulled in and followed signs to the visitor parking, I found no other people and no clues to the location of the elusive Ultimate Outsider stamp. A "visitor information" arrow led me up a narrow trail along the river and across it on a footbridge. On yonder side I found a set of bathrooms, no stamp, no info, no people. Retracing my steps, I moved Miss Traveller upriver to the Handicapped lot and found that lot ended at the river. Still no stamp. Evidently the local rangers are determined to make me do some more hiking....

...crossing the river on the official-vehicles-only plank bridge I came upon The Big Rock. The photo doesn't do it justice; I didn't have anything to show the scale of it. It looks to me as if it was just too big to move, so they left it in place and turned it into an exhibit. (How much do you think TBR weighs, kids? How long has it been here? sez Ranger Rick). Fortunately, just past TBR I found a large arrow on a billboard pointing out the elusive stamp! Park office was closed so no T-shirt....



1716780033930.jpeg
 
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Up next: Table Rock State Park and maybe a quick Memorial-Day trip to our newest and smallest park, #48, May Forest in Charleston!
 
Uncle Vern said:
Absatively, posolutely! In fact I am planning a Concourier article, and possibly one for South Carolina Wildlife as well (the house organ for the same SCDNR/PRT that operates the state parks here -- great photography and articles on wide-ranging outdoor topics).
Click to expand...
That sounds great, can’t wait to hear all you’ve been seeing!!!

Wayne, Carol & Blue
 
38. May Forest State Park
Visited Memorial Day 2024​
southcarolinaparks.com

May Forest State Park | South Carolina Parks Official Site

May Forest State Park
southcarolinaparks.com southcarolinaparks.com

Success!! I wasn't sure until I rode up to the front gate if this park would be open on a Monday/Holiday. I had previously ridden to SC's newest and smallest State Park, a former nunnery, on Easter Sunday, only to find it closed on weekends while the park is under development.

1717032859167.jpeg
 
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In front of Miss Traveller you see the small chapel w/ triangular bell tower. Further photos will show the wooded grounds and stunning views of the harbor, Cooper-River bridge, and Battery/historic peninsula.

1717033463785.jpeg
 
Click on the park banner for more photos and videos...

At only 23 acres, May Forest is the smallest Park in the system. Plans are to develop it as a revenue source for the system -- which can certainly use one -- by setting it up as a wedding/event venue for rent, with full kitchen facilities and overnight accommodations. James Island is a beautiful place, slightly removed from the bustle and thru-traffic of downtown Charleston.

May Forest only lets you look at the harbor, but a nearby city park next to the James Island Yacht Club actually offers a small beach...

www.google.com

Melton Peter Demetre Park · 640 Wampler Dr, Charleston, SC 29412

âââââ · City park
www.google.com www.google.com


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