Jones Lake State Park

Jones Lake State Park is known for a peculiar geographical feature known as the Carolina bays. A Carolina bay is an oval-shaped depression, named for the sweet bay, loblolly bay and red bay trees that typically grow around them. Many smaller bays are found throughout the southeast, but there aren't many like Jones Lake, which is about 8,000 feet long. And here’s where it gets strange—the “lake” is only 8.7 feet deep!

You can splash around in the shallow bay just like you’re in an above-ground pool, only your surroundings will be much prettier. There are a few other lakes, like Jones and Salters, to check out in the area as well. Encircling the bays are tranquil forests with hiking trails and a few of the best picnic spots in the state. But we’ll leave it up to you to find them.