COVID-19 information for parks under phase 3
Posted on: Monday, October 5, 2020 - 2:12pm |
Trails
Current status of park facilities
The park is open daily from 7:00am to 10:00pm.
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. 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.
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.
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: Monday, October 5, 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 WEEKEND PARKING - Expect Delayed Entry
South Mountains State Park now routinely reaches capacity by 10 a.m. on weekends. Expect to wait 30 minutes to 1 hour to enter the park once the Jacob Fork parking area is full. Please note that delays may be longer as we move into fall leaf season. Park staff will be monitoring and controlling traffic. Roadside parking is PROHIBITED.
Weekdays are the best time to visit. If you must visit on the weekend, please try to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid long wait times.
Last updated on: Wednesday, September 30, 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
List of trails
Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are accommodated on a trail system that also gives access to backcountry campsites. Rugged terrain offers trail segments that are moderate to strenuous. There is also an accessible, educational trail along the Jacob Fork River.
Benn Knob Trail
Location: Connects Lower CCC Trail to Raven Rock Trail. Closest access is 5 mi from the Jacob Fork parking area.
Description:
The trail serves as a boundary between North Carolina gamelands and the park. Benn Knob Peak is a restricted area.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
2.90 miles
one way
2.90 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
orange triangle
orange triangle
Chestnut Knob Trail
Location: Starts off of High Shoals Falls Loop Trail, 0.2 mi from the Jacob Fork parking area.
Description:
The trail ascends 1.2 miles to a scenic view of High Shoals Falls and Hugo Rock. It continues another 1.4 miles up to Chestnut Knob Overlook. This rock outcropping offers a beautiful view of the Jacob Fork Gorge.
Surface: natural surface, stairs
Length:
2.10 miles
one way
2.10 miles
one way
Difficulty:
strenuous hike
strenuous hike
Blaze:
white diamond
white diamond
Clear Creek Trail
Location: Starts at the Clear Creek Dam.
Description:
This “out and back” trail starts at the Clear Creek Dam and ascends into the Clear Creek Watershed for a quiet, reflective retreat into nature. The Clear Creek Access area is open from sunrise to sunset.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
2.00 miles
one way
2.00 miles
one way
Difficulty:
strenuous hike
strenuous hike
Blaze:
white circle
white circle
Fox Trail
Location: Connects Lower CCC Trail to Raven Rock Trail. Closest access is 4.1 mi from the Jacob Fork parking area.
Description:
This remote trail has an expansive vista of the Blue Ridge at the eastern end of the trail. It descends to Nettle Branch and then winds around mountains ridges.
Surface: natural surface, gravel
Length:
3.70 miles
one way
3.70 miles
one way
Difficulty:
strenuous hike
strenuous hike
Blaze:
white hexagon
white hexagon
Headquarters Trail
Location: Starts at the Shinny Creek picnic area, 0.5 mi from the Jacob Fork parking area.
Description:
The trail provides access to Shinny Creek Trail, the Shinny Creek Backcountry Campsite and the Upper Falls Trail.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
1.90 miles
one way
1.90 miles
one way
Difficulty:
strenuous hike
strenuous hike
Blaze:
orange hexagon
orange hexagon
Park Maps and Brochures:
