Crowders Mountain State Park
Trails Status
Some Open
Trails at Boulders and Linwood Accesses are open. Ridgeline Trail is open to Pinnacle Road.
About the Park
Located in Gaston County 32 miles west of Charlotte, Crowders Mountain State Park boasts two mountain peaks that offer magnificent views of the surrounding Piedmont. Trails offer challenging hikes and towering cliffs — and even the opportunity to traverse two states through the Ridgeline Trail, which connects to Kings Mountain National Military Park and Kings Mountain State Park in South Carolina. A wide variety of resident birds, from songbirds to birds of prey, make the park a great spot for birdwatching.
Camping at Sparrow Springs
- Tent sites (backpacking only)
- Group tent sites (backpacking only)
- Firewood
There are no camping facilities at Linwood or Boulders access.
Activities
- Hiking (20 miles at Sparrow Springs; 4 miles at Linwood; and 6 miles at Boulders)
- Paddling (Sparrow Springs only)
- Fishing (Sparrow Springs only)
- Picnicking
- Rock climbing (Linwood only)
- Bouldering (Boulders only)
Amenities at Sparrow Springs
- Amphitheater
- Auditorium and classroom
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center and exhibits
There are no other amenities at Linwood or Boulders access.
Plan Your Visit
Park Hours
The gates at Linwood Road and Boulders accesses close at the listed times in the table chart.
Day-use visitors may use the Sparrow Spring access also during the listed times.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| June | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| July | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| August | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
The gates at Sparrow Springs close for campers at the listed times in the table chart.
Please note that there is a 1-mile hike to the campground from the parking lot. Please plan accordingly.
Park gates are locked daily at the posted hours. No entry or exit will be allowed when gates are closed, including for campers, except in the case of a medical or law enforcement emergency.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| June | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| July | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| August | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photo Gallery
Top: Aerial view of the park from a helicopter, C. Peek
Gallery: Child at park lake, C. Peek | View from the Pinnacle, K. Bischof | The Needle, C. Peek | Charlotte skyline as seen from Crowders overlook, J. Darby | Aerial view of Sparrow Springs access and park lake, C. Peek