Blue Ridge Country July/August 2022 - 37

" Below the dam " the Clinch River tailÂ
NORRIS DAM STATE PARK
 Over 4,000 acres
 21 miles of trails
 19 historic cabins/10 deluxe cabins
 2 campgrounds - 85 total sites, water &
electric hookups to primitive
 Day-use picnic areas
ABOVE: Tennessee's Norris Dam State
Park features the waters behind TVA's first
hydroelectric dam.
LEFT: South Carolina's Jones Gap State Park
is the home of Rainbow Falls.
water flows cold and clear for 13 miles. As
a favorite fishing destination, anglers test
their skills for rainbow, brown and brook
trout-averaging 11 to 12 inches up to 22
inches. Stop along the river's edge where
there's ample parking, boat ramps and
cool breezes.
Insider Tip: Claim a fishing spot just
below the weir when the dam is not releasing
water (or, in local parlance, " when
the water's off " ).
Be sure to visit the working grist mill
and museum; attend a Southern Appalachian
heritage or nature event; ask a
ranger about the submerged community
affectionately called " Loyston Sea; " and,
explore adjacent woodlands where you
can walk alongside creeks bordered by
wildflowers and, maybe, see a trout swimming
upstream.
South Carolina: Jones Gap State Park
This destination is a land of " firsts. " The
plunging waters of the Middle Saluda
River were the first to receive protection
under South Carolina's Scenic River Program.
The tumbling, pristine waterway
flows through rocky gorges and drops
1,000 feet in elevation over a four-mile
stretch. Multiple creeks and streams flow
into the river, most notably Coldspring
Branch.
With a large trout population, the area
is considered the best freshwater fishing
in Upstate. This park is also the location
of the first state-owned and -operated fish
hatchery.
Capture stunning photos at the 100foot
free-falling Rainbow Falls and the 50foot
cascade at Jones Gap Falls. Falls Creek
Falls, which splashes down two levels, has
a picnic area at the top.
The park itself was named for the " first
American scenic road builder, " Solomon
Jones. Legend says this self-taught, remarkable
engineer from the early/mid
1800s wanted to lay a road from the top
of the mountain down into the valley. So,
he held a pig's tail and followed her down,
knowing she would take the shortest
route. That ingenuity became Jones Gap
Toll Road (1840-1910). The park is located
alongside this historic route and the Jones
Gap NRT to the falls follows the old road.
Insider Tip: Bring water shoes and hikTHE
PARKWAY,
YES, YOU DRIVE ON
BUT YOU CAN PARK TOO.
Find yourself here
Cruise on 30 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway through Patrick County and take in all
of the beautiful scenery. Picnics at a covered bridge, local wineries, camping, hiking,
and mountain biking are just a few other attractions awaiting you. From the rugged
outdoors to 5-Star luxury, there is so much to discover here. visitpatrickcounty.org
Visit the Patrick County Visitors Center at 126 N. Main St, Stuart, VA
JULY / AUGUST 2022 37
http://www.visitpatrickcounty.org
Blue Ridge Country July/August 2022

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