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Turnback Trail

Aerial view of Crowders Mountain State Park
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Current status of park facilities   

All accesses and trails at Crowders Mountain State Park are open. Park hours are 8:00am to 9:00pm.

Rock climbing and bouldering for individuals and groups are open; self-registration by ALL individuals (members of groups as well) is required by park regulations.

All campsites, include group campsites, are open; making a reservation, 24 hours in advance, is highly recommended .

The visitor center is open from 9am-12pm and 1-5pm. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both the nose and the mouth, is REQUIRED to enter the visitor center. Visitor Center capacity is limited to 4 people total, not counting park staff.

All restrooms are closed are closed periodically throughout the day for cleaning. If you arrive at a building and restrooms are closed, be patient, they will reopen in a few minutes.

Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. 

 Last updated on: Friday, May 7, 2021

Turnback Trail

The trail gives alternate hiking opportunities for both the Pinnacle and Fern trails.

Crowders Mountain State Park’s TRACK Trail adventures were designed for use on the Turnback Trail, Fern Trail, and Lake Trail. These three trail combined make a 2.1 mile round-trip hike.

Trail Location: 
Sparrow Springs Access. Begins at the southeast corner of the visitor center parking lot and ends at the Pinnacle Trail 0.7 miles from the summit of King's Pinnacle.
Trail Length: 
1.20 miles
Trail Type: 
one way
Trail Difficulty: 
moderate hike
Trail Use: 
Hiking
Discovery/Interpretive Trail
TRACK Trail
Trail Surface: 
natural surface
Trail Blaze: 
white triangle

Map of North Carolina – Crowders Mountain State Park


Contact the park
 

704-853-5375

crowders.mountain@ncparks.gov
 

Addresses
 

Sparrow Springs access
and visitor center

522 Park Office Lane
Kings Mountain, NC 28086

GPS: 35.2133, -81.2935
 

Linwood Road access

4611 Linwood Road
Gastonia, NC 28086

GPS: 35.2409, -81.2693

 

Boulders access

108 Van Dyke Road
Kings Mountain, NC 28086

GPS: 35.1711, -81.3627
 

Hours
 

  • The gates at Linwood Road and Boulders accesses close at the listed times below. Day-use visitors may use the Sparrow Springs access also during the listed times below.
     
  • December to February:
    8:00am to 6:00pm
     
  • March to April:
    8:00am to 8:00pm
     
  • May to September:
    8:00am to 9:00pm
     
  • October:
    8:00am to 8:00pm
     
  • November:
    8:00am to 7:00pm
     
  • Closed Christmas Day
     

  • The gates at Sparrow Springs close for campers at the listed times below.
     
  • December to February:
    8:00am to 6:00pm
     
  • March to April:
    8:00am to 8:00pm
     
  • May to September:
    8:00am to 9:00pm
     
  • October:
    8:00am to 8:00pm
     
  • November:
    8:00am to 7:00pm
     
  • Closed Christmas Day
     
  • There is a 1-mile hike to the campground from the parking lot. Please plan accordingly.
     
  • There is no gate entry before or after hours, including for campers, except in the case of a medical or law enforcement emergency.

 

  • Open daily:
    8:00am to 5:00pm
     
  • Closed Christmas Day