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 CLOSURES AT ALL PARKS
Posted on: Friday, July 24, 2020 - 1:05pm |
Park News
Park at Capacity by 10:00 a.m. on Weekends
South Mountains now routinely reaches capacity by10:00 a.m. on weekends. If you do not arrive by this time, you are not likely to get a parking spot until the afternoon.
Last updated on: Friday, July 31, 2020 Status of park facilities as of July 3, 2020
The park is open daily from 7:00am to 10:00pm.
Picnic Areas are open with tables spread out for social distancing and grills are now open.
The family campground, equestrian campground, and backcountry campsites are open as of May 22. However, group camping is still not allowed. 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.
Weekend delays: Visitors should expect park entrance delays from 9:30am to 6:00pm on weekends. You may encounter a 30-minute to 1-hour wait time to get into Jacob Fork access. Parking is limited and some spaces are coned off to meet maximum occupancy recommendations. Visitors will be directed to other parking areas once the High Shoals Falls trailhead parking is full. Vehicles will be stopped near the park entrance gate, and 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.
Last updated on: Friday, July 3, 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:
