Crowders Mountain State Park

Trails Status

Hiking Trails

Open

Hours

Contact

Events

Camping

Activities

Trails

Facilities

About the Park

Map of North Carolina with a star indicating the location of Carvers Creek State Park

Located in Gaston County 32 miles west of Charlotte, Crowders Mountain State Park boasts two mountain peaks that offer magnificent views of the surrounding Piedmont. Trails offer challenging hikes and towering cliffs — and even the opportunity to traverse two states through the Ridgeline Trail, which connects to Kings Mountain National Military Park and Kings Mountain State Park in South Carolina. A wide variety of resident birds, from songbirds to birds of prey, make the park a great spot for birdwatching. 

Camping at Sparrow Springs

  • Tent sites (backpacking only)
  • Group tent sites (backpacking only)
  • Firewood
     

There are no camping facilities at Linwood or Boulders access.

Activities

  • Hiking (20 miles at Sparrow Springs; 4 miles at Linwood; and 6 miles at Boulders)
  • Paddling (Sparrow Springs only)
  • Fishing (Sparrow Springs only)
  • Picnicking
  • Rock climbing (Linwood only)
  • Bouldering (Boulders only)

Amenities at Sparrow Springs

  • Amphitheater
  • Auditorium and classroom
  • Picnic shelters
  • Visitor center and exhibits
     

There are no other amenities at Linwood or Boulders access.

Plan Your Visit

Tab/Accordion Items

Address

522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

GPS: 35.2133, -81.2935

Current Weather

28086 Kings Mountain, NC

Address

4611 Linwood Road, Gastonia, NC 28086

GPS: 35.2409, -81.2693

Current Weather

28086 Gastonia, NC

Address

108 Vandyke Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

GPS: 35.1711, -81.3627

Current Weather

28086 Kings Mountain, NC

Maps

Fees

There are no fees required to access Crowders Mountain State Park for day use. Fees are charged for camping, group climbing, certain event permits, and facility reservations.

Pets

Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.

Park Hours

Tab/Accordion Items

The gates at Linwood Road and Boulders accesses close at the listed times in the table chart.

Day-use visitors may use the Sparrow Spring access also during the listed times. 

Month Hours
January 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
October 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Second Sidebar

The park is closed on Christmas Day.

The park is open during all other holidays.

The gates at Sparrow Springs close for campers at the listed times in the table chart.

Please note that there is a 1-mile hike to the campground from the parking lot. Please plan accordingly.

Park gates are locked daily at the posted hours. No entry or exit will be allowed when gates are closed, including for campers, except in the case of a medical or law enforcement emergency.

Month Hours
January 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
June 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
July 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
August 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
September 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
October 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Second Sidebar

The park is closed on Christmas Day.

The park is open during all other holidays.

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Education

Ecology & History

Videos

Field Trips

Learning Materials

Additional Links

Scheduled Events at Crowders Mountain State Park

Park staff lead regularly scheduled interpretive programs that allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful. Learning opportunities are available for all ages. Most events are free, though some may require pre-registration.

Host Your Event at the Park

Make your special occasion naturally wonderful. State parks are great places for birthday parties, reunions, weddings, and more. Learn more about event permits and fees on the Facilities page.

Park Rules

Jobs

News

Park Planning

Friends of Crowders Mountain

Join, volunteer, or donate! The Friends of Crowders Mountain promotes, supports, and advocates for Crowders Mountain State Park through organizing volunteer efforts, educating visitors, hosting events, and fundraising.

Friends of State Parks

Friends of State Parks is a nonprofit citizen organization supporting, promoting, and advocating for the North Carolina State Parks system as a whole. The group helps provide funding for Junior Ranger and Youth in Parks – Environmental Education programs, as well as grants for state parks projects.

Photo Gallery

Top: Aerial view of the park from a helicopter, C. Peek

Gallery: Child at park lake, C. Peek  |  View from the Pinnacle, K. Bischof  |  The Needle, C. Peek  |  Charlotte skyline as seen from Crowders overlook, J. Darby  |  Aerial view of Sparrow Springs access and park lake, C. Peek