Policies for COVID-19
Posted on: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 4:22pm |
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PARK UPDATES
Weekend Visitation:
Spring brings more people out to enjoy the park. Expect up to a 30min delay between 11am and 2pm on Sat/Sun at the Jacob Fork Access. Once parking areas fill to capacity, rangers may direct traffic for visitor safety.
CURRENTLY, THE FAMILY CAMPGROUND IS FULL EVERY WEEKEND APRIL-JULY 2022. Campsites, particularly in the Family Campground, are often reserved many weeks in advance. The park doesn't have any "first-come" or "walk-in" sites. Please plan ahead to stay in this popular park. Cancellations may create an opening, so check the website frequently.
TRAILS
Clear Creek Access:
Lakeview Trail includes at least one creek crossing that is difficult to cross safely without getting your feet wet during or immediately following heavy rain. Please plan ahead.
Our credit card machine is down indefinitely and we are only able to do cash sales at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Last updated on: Friday, November 5, 2021OPEN TODAY
Bike trails:OPEN TODAY
Contact the park
828-433-4772
south.mountains@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Jacob Fork access
and visitor center
3001 South Mountain Park Ave.
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
GPS: 35.5963, -81.6000
Clear Creek access
(day-use only)
5999 Branstrom Orchard St.
Morganton, NC 28655
GPS: 35.6424, -81.7524
Hours
►
- December to February:
7:00am to 7:00pm
- March to April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- November:
7:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- Open daily:
8:00am to 5:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
South Mountains State Park
In one of the state’s most rugged areas, South Mountains State Park features elevations to 3,000 feet, an 80-foot waterfall, mountain streams and more than 40 miles of trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. A true backcountry experience is offered at 24 backpacking campsites at seven locations. Equestrian camping is available with trailer parking and barn to complement 33 miles of bridle trails. Mountain bikers enjoy a strenuous 17-mile loop. Drive-to campsites sit beside the Jacob Fork River, with the river and its tributaries offering miles of trout fishing. There are two picnic areas and a picnic shelter for groups. A visitor center offers museum-quality exhibits on the cultural and natural history of the South Mountains.
Reservations
Find and book a campsite or facility online
Or make your reservation at 1-877-722-6762
Notices and alerts
Picnic shelters and parking
When reserving a picnic shelter for an event, please note that parking spaces are not reserved for event attendees and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, along with all other visitors. On weekends, the parking areas reach capacity often, and when the parking areas are full, all incoming traffic for day-use visitors, including picnic shelter reservations, will be delayed or turned away. Please plan accordingly.
Camping
Please note that fees and permits are required for all overnight stays, including backcountry camping.
Backcountry campers must make a reservation online or by calling 1-877-722-6762 before setting up at a campsite. Campers can make same-day reservations up until 9:00pm the day of your arrival. Upon arrival, all backcountry campers must stop at the visitor center to register all vehicle license plate numbers before going to their campsite and use the self-check-in through the Reserve America Camping App.
Caution in waterfall areas
Please follow safety rules and encourage others to do the same when you are near waterfall areas.
Current weather
Park Maps and Brochures:
