Crowders Mountain

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 F Campground Map ADA Group Camp 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086 GPS: 35.2127, -81.3006 crowders.mountain@ncparks.gov 704-853-5375 G-1 ADA 4 6 5 3 2 7 North 0 200 8 400 Feet 9 10 oup Cam p T r a il Gr 9 6 8 5 7 4 3 2 LEGEND 1 Campsites 1 Group Campsites F ADA Campsites ADA Family Camp 1 Family Camp Trail Firewood Handicap Only Parking Hiking Trail Toilets Water Spigot P l Trai e l c inna 03/19 

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