Ben's Sluice

Greenville County, South Carolina

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Greenville County, South Carolina
Access status: Partial guide: the position of Ben's Sluice beyond Jones Gap Falls comes from one visitor account
The walk: About 1 mile to the river bridge near Jones Gap Falls (SC Trails), then about a third of a mile beyond Jones Gap Falls (visitor account)
Ground & access: Rocky, boulder-strewn riverside trail. The park rates all trails as advanced. No phone service in the park.

Ben's Sluice is a small falls on the Middle Saluda River beside the Jones Gap Trail in Jones Gap State Park. From the parking area, take the footpath across the footbridge over the Middle Saluda, follow the paved path past the park headquarters, turn left on the service road and cross the bridge to the Jones Gap Trail board, where hikers must fill out a registration card. Follow the Jones Gap Trail upstream. At about 1 mile it crosses the river on the John Reid Clonts Memorial Bridge; the short spur to Jones Gap Falls is just past Campsite 11. Continue on the Jones Gap Trail along the river to Ben's Sluice, before the junction with the Coldspring Branch Trail. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Jones Gap State Park parking, Jones Gap Trail up the Middle Saluda River past the Jones Gap Falls spur to Ben's Sluice

SC Trails says the Middle Saluda River is crossed on the John Reid Clonts Memorial Bridge at about 1 mile, just before the Jones Gap Falls spur. A visitor account places Ben's Sluice about one third of a mile from Jones Gap Falls. No total is published.

Rocky, boulder-strewn riverside trail. The park rates all trails as advanced. No phone service in the park.

Where to start

Jones Gap State Park parking area, 303 Jones Gap Road, Marietta. Parking reservations are required for guaranteed entry on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; otherwise first come, first served. Roadside parking is not allowed.

Timing & water

Open 9 a.m. to sunset daily, year-round. Trails close one hour before sunset. Parking is very limited in October and November.

Before you go

State park admission: $6 adults, $3.75 South Carolina seniors 65 and older, $3.50 children 6 to 15, age 5 and under free. Hiker registration card required at the trailhead.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore South Carolina

Waterfall location

Greenville County, South Carolina.

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