Policies for COVID-19
Posted on: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 4:22pm |
Trails
Now Hiring - Seasonal General Utility Worker
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 and Trail Status
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.
Cash Only Sales
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, 2021
Bridle trails:
Contact the park
south.mountains@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Jacob Fork access
Clear Creek access
GPS: 35.6424, -81.7524
Hours
OPEN 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
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:
