Policies for COVID-19
Posted on: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 4:22pm |
Photos and Videos

South Mountains State Park is hiring for the summer!
Position: General Utility Worker.
Work includes facility and grounds management, including but not limited to, cleaning bathrooms, emptying trash cans, mowing and trimming grass, trail maintenance, visitor assistance and assisting park staff in other necessary park operations.
This position is 40 hours a week, up to 6 months. Weekend and holiday work is required. Some evening shifts are required. Pay is $12/hour.
Must be 18+ and have a valid driver's license.
If interested, complete the NC PD-107 Paper Application for Employment and email to south.mountains@ncparks.gov or mail to the park at 3001 South Mountains State Park Ave, Connelly Springs, NC 28612.
Please call the office at 828-433-4772 with any further questions.
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
Gallery
Waterfall Safety at South Mountains State Park
June 30, 2021
Learn about the best practices to keep you and others safe while visiting the beautiful waterfalls at South Mountains State Park. Special thanks to Ranger Amanda for coordinating and starring in the video and to John Simmons for photography, videography, direction, and editing.
UNC-TV: Fire brings new life to South Mountains State Park
February 14, 2019
More than two years after a large fire, plants at South Mountains State Park are thriving.
From the UNC School of Media & Journalism
Producer: Rob Gourley
Associate Producer: Kara Kochek
Scriptwriter and Narrator: Minali Nigam
Cameras/Video Editors: Rob Gourley and Bob Gunter
Executive Producer: Dr. Tom Linden
Photographs courtesy of Ranger Amanda Lasley of South Mountains
Additional video courtesy of Rahima Rahi
Into the river: A field trip to South Mountains State Park
May 9, 2014
Middle school field trip to a stream at North Carolina's South Mountains State Park
Park Maps and Brochures: