Crowders Mountain State Park is located in Gaston County, North Carolina. It is near Kings Mountain and on the outskirts of Gastonia, North Carolina, it includes the peaks of Crowder's Mountain and The Pinnacle. Crowders Mountain was named for Crowders Creek which originated near its base. The cliffs are a popular destination for rock climbers.
Official Visitor Map of Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (NHT) in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
Guide to North Carolina State Parks. Published by North Carolina State Parks.
Crowders Mountain SP
https://www.ncparks.gov/crowders-mountain-state-park
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowders_Mountain_State_Park
Crowders Mountain State Park is located in Gaston County, North Carolina. It is near Kings Mountain and on the outskirts of Gastonia, North Carolina, it includes the peaks of Crowder's Mountain and The Pinnacle. Crowders Mountain was named for Crowders Creek which originated near its base. The cliffs are a popular destination for rock climbers.
522 Park Office Lane
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
704-853-5375
crowders.mountain@ncparks.gov
GPS: 35.213316, -81.293555
Education and Events: Rangers hold regularly scheduled educational and
interpretive programs about Crowders Mountain State Park. To arrange a
special exploration of the park for your group or class, contact the park
office. Educational materials about Crowders Mountain State Park have
been developed for grades 5-7 and are correlated to North Carolina’s
competency-based curriculum. The Crowders Mountain program introduces
students to basic geologic concepts, including the rock cycle, rock and
mineral identification, weathering and erosion, and resource use.
Camping: When you’ve finished exploring for the day, settle in
for a long night’s sleep. Located approximately one mile from the
park office are secluded areas for camping. Both campgrounds are
reached by trail and all supplies must be packed to the campsites.
Hiking: The beauty and diversity of Crowders Mountain State Park
are best appreciated on its miles of hiking trails. Hiking trails lined
with wildflowers and mountain laurel lead along the ridges and
to the summits of Crowders Mountain and The Pinnacle. Circle the lake
on a gravel path or view aquatic plants and animals along a narrow creek.
Picnicking: Scattered throughout the picnic area are 28 tables
and eight grills in beautiful wooded areas. Drinking water and
restrooms are located nearby. Two large shelters with tables and
grills are available for group picnics. Use of the shelters is free of charge
and on a first-come, first-served basis unless reservations are requested.
Rock Climbing: Experienced climbers will enjoy the challenges
of Crowders Mountain. Climbing is permitted in designated areas
only. Pitons, bolts or similar devices that may damage cliff faces
are not permitted. Further information may be obtained at the park office.
Bouldering is available on Buzzard’s Roost, near the Boulders Access Area.
All climbing regulations, including the requirement of a permit, are in effect, and some sections of Buzzard’s Roost may be closed to bouldering
at certain times of the year. Check with park staff for more information.
Water Sports: Located near the park office and picnic ground,
the nine-acre, man-made lake has ample parking nearby. Canoes
can be rented at the park office from spring through late fall yearround, weather permitting. Paddle to secluded spots along the shoreline
where the only sound is the ripples of the water.
Fish from choice fishing spots on the banks or try your luck from
the seat of a canoe. Bass and bream are waiting to be caught!
Anglers must have a North Carolina fishing license. Swimming
and private boats are not permitted.
Crowders Mountain State Park is located in Gaston and
Cleveland counties, 30 miles west of Charlotte. Take I-85
exit 13 (Edgewood Rd.), turn left and go to U.S. Hwy. 74
(Franklin Blvd.). Turn right and go about three miles to
Sparrow Springs Rd. Go left and follow the park signs.
North Carolina State Parks are open every day, with the
exception of Christmas Day. Park hours vary with the seasons.
Please visit the North Carolina State Park website or contact the park office for the most current information about
seasonal hours, activities, alerts, camping fees, programs
rules and weather.
www.ncparks.gov
Make a reservation online at ncparks.gov
or call 1-877-722-6762.
Crowders Mountain State Park
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522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
GPS: 35.2127, -81.3006
crowders.mountain@ncparks.gov 704-853-5375
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Pettigrew State Park
South Mountains State Park – 2018 Park of the Year
Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation manages more
than 234,000 acres of iconic landscape across our state in our
parks, recreation areas and natural areas with a mission dedicated
to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system
welcomed more than 19 million visitors in 2017.
Discover More with a Ranger
Across North Carolina, state park rangers are proud of our parks
and eager to welcome you and your family. Come to our parks
to marvel at our state’s most beautiful natural resources, enjoy
your favorite outdoor activities and learn about the rich science,
culture and history that make our parks great.
Fun facts about North Carolina State Parks
■■ There are 41 places to visit, including 34 parks, four
recreation areas and three staffed state natural areas.
■■ The Division manages four state rivers, seven state lakes
and six state trails.
■■ There are about 581 miles of trail to explore in our parks.
■■ The
first state park created was Mount Mitchell State Park
on March 3, 1915. Fort Macon State Park was the second.
■■ The Division celebrated 100 years of being Naturally
Wonderful in 2016.
■■ Parks that welcome over 1 million visitors annually include:
Jockey’s Ridge, Fort Macon and William B. Umstead state
parks and Falls Lake, Jordan Lake and Kerr Lake state
recreation areas.
■■ The Division employs over 1,000 people across the state.
■■ Some
www.ncparks.gov
M N P Q
Roy Cooper
Governor
unique activities you can do in our parks include:
wind surfing and hang gliding at Jockey’s Ridge State Park,
cross country skiing and snow shoeing at Elk Knob State
Park, driving on the four-wheel-drive beach at Fort Fisher
State Recreation Area and rock climbing at Chimney Rock,
Crowders Mountain, Hanging Rock, Pilot Mountain and
Stone Mountain state parks.
Susi H. Hamilton
Secretary
75,000 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $10,707.92 or $0.14 each. 03/18
Did you know that many plants atop Mount Mitchell are rare
in North Carolina but common in Quebec? That the giant
sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge are constantly moving? Do you
know how to safely hold a crayfish? From fishing lessons to
astronomy programs and tree identification hikes to guided
paddles, parks offer programs for all ages. Visit our website for a
list of upcoming programs at each park.
Junior Rangers
The Junior Ranger program offers educational and skill-based
activities to encourage children to explore the outdoors. Children
can complete activity guides, geared for ages 6-12, and attend
ranger programs to earn a junior ranger patch unique to each
park. Ask about the program at a park office or download the
guide at: www.ncparks.gov/junior-rangers.
Environmental Education Learning Experiences
Parks have their own curriculum guides that are correlated to
the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Competency goals
in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language
arts are available. Each program includes pre-visit, on-site and
post-visit student activities that have measurable objectives,
background information, vocabulary, references and step-bystep activity instructions.
Passport Program
How many state parks can you visit? Use your passport as a guide
and collect stamps, earn prizes and make “Naturally Wonderful”
memories! Pick up your passport at a state park near you.
North Carolina State Parks 100-Mile Challenge
Can you hike, bike or paddle 100 miles in
a year? Join the N.C. State Parks’ 100-Mile
Challenge and log your miles online to earn
digital badges and redeem prizes as you reach
various milestones! This is a great way to get
outside, get moving and keep track of your
activity. Visit www.nc100miles.org to sign up.
■■ Several parks have educational trails, called TRACK trails, that
include activities for children to complete along the way.
William B. Umstead State Park
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Friends Of State Parks
Join the Friends of State Parks to help support, promote
and advocate for the parks system as a whole, or join the
friends group of your favorite park. The group helps provide
funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks – Environmental
Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects.
You can also make a donation to help keep our parks around
for future generations. Learn more at www.ncfsp.org or
www.ncparks.gov/support-your-parks.
Merchandise
Want to show your N.C. State Parks pride? Visit the online
webstore and purchase products such as coffee mugs, prints,
t-shirts, pins, patches and Christmas ornaments. This exclusive
merchandise makes a great gift for special state parks fans,
including yourself. www.ncparkstore.com
N.C. State Parks License Plate
Show your support for state parks every time you drive your
vehicle! Purchase an N.C. State Parks license plate through the
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicl