Video: Fire brings new life to South Mountains State Park
UNC School of Media and Journalism produced a segment for UNC-TV looking at plant growth at South Mountains State Park, two years after the Chestnut Knob fire at the park.
COVID-19 information for parks under phase 3
Posted on: Monday, October 5, 2020 - 2:12pm |
Park News
Current status of park facilities
The park is open daily from 7:00am to 9:00pm.
The visitor center is open. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both the nose and the mouth, is required to enter.
Picnic areas are open with tables spread out for social distancing and grills are open. Picnic shelters and the amphitheater are not available to reserve.
The family campground, equestrian campground, and backcountry campsites are open but may be FULL. There is no group camping permitted at South Mountains. Only six people or less per site.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL CAMPSITES. All campers, including backpackers, must make a reservation through the system online or by phone (1-877-722-6762). There are no walk-ins. Campers can make same-day reservations up until 9:00pm on the day of your arrival. You must make a reservation before setting up camp on a campsite. You cannot place your personal belongings on a site to "reserve" the site for you. When you arrive for your reservation, use the free Wi-Fi near the visitor center to self-check-in using the Reserve America Camping App. FALL is very busy, and most campsites are already reserved in advance.
Weekend delays: Visitors should expect park entrance delays from 9:30am to 4:00pm on weekends. You may encounter a 30-minute to 1-hour wait time to get into Jacob Fork access. Visitors will be directed to other parking areas once the High Shoals Falls trailhead parking is full. Traffic into the park will be controlled by park rangers for visitor safety and for emergency access. Plan ahead and limit the number of vehicles you take to the park. Maps are available at the visitor center and trailhead kiosks.
Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of October 3, we are following modified Phase 3.
Last updated on: Friday, October 23, 2020 Be safe-be seen! Wear Blaze Orange on Benn Knob Trail
Hikers, mountain-bikers and equestrian riders who plan to ride any portion of Benn Knob Trail should wear an item that is blaze orange. This trail is along boundary and runs through portions of South Mountains Game Lands. Hunting season is in progress. Be safe. Be seen. Now through Jan. 1, 2021.
Last updated on: Friday, October 23, 2020 Clear Creek Reservoir
The water level at Clear Creek Reservoir has been lowered to perform maintenance. Fishing and boating access may be affected by the low water levels as the current shoreline is muddy and rocky.
Last updated on: Sunday, October 4, 2020
Bridle trails:
OPEN TODAY
Bike trails:OPEN TODAY
3001 South Mountain Park Ave.
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
828-433-4772
south.mountains@ncparks.gov
GPS: 35.5963, -81.600
Open Daily (except Christmas Day) 7am
Closing Hours
December, January and February 7pm
November 8pm
March, April and October 9pm
May - September 10pm
Closed Christmas Day
Park Office
8am - 5pm weekdays and weekends
Closed Christmas Day
News archive
Each of North Carolina’s state parks has special events during the year and news about facilities, trails, staff and park supporters. And, visitors are frequently finding new ways to explore a park’s unique cultural and natural resources. Check these pages to keep abreast of the news at your favorite parks.
Park Maps and Brochures:
