Travel NC With Kids: Crowders Mountain State Park

Crowders Mountain State Park - Kings Mountain Pinnacle Trail © Katrena

As we welcomed a new year yesterday, I decided to make good on one of my resolutions to get out and enjoy nature and connect with my kids more. Although the weather report was about 50/50 for rain, we chanced it with good results.

Crowders Mountain State Park Visitor Center © Katrena

This is the first time we visited Crowders Mountain State Park. It is very close to I-85. I took back roads and made it most of the way via MapQuest but ended up using my GPS to finish the last ten miles of the route. I didn't see any signs for a state park via the Hwy 150 direction, so you might want to have a backup plan in case you get lost like I did.

Fun Family-friendly Educational Opportunity in Gaston County © Katrena

Crowders Mountain State Park has a nice welcome center with a friendly attendant. The welcome center is well designed with several interactive displays. My kids particularly liked the ones with the buttons that would sound like the bird calls of local birds one might see in the area. The welcome area is packed with information about preserving natural resources, rocks, animals, and more. They also have clean bathrooms.

Pinnacle Trail at Crowders Mountain State Park © Katrena

We arrived shortly after lunch time and decided we would like to try the Pinnacle Trail, a strenuous 2-mile trek (4-mile round trip) to Kings Mountain. You can see the pinnacle from the parking lot. Only parts of the trail were challenging – most of it was actually pretty level with a few tree roots and rocks scattered here and there, but this one would not be handicap accessible.

Pinnacle Trail to Kings Mountain © Katrena

There are a few places on the Pinnacle Trail where one has to watch footing and move around large rocks carefully. My 7-year-old carried a large baby doll by herself all the way to the top and back and I saw several hikers carrying small children, so families can still consider this trail. There were about two or three benches along the trail.

Hiking Trails in North Carolina © Katrena

One of our favorite parts of hiking is the journey. Enjoying the scenery along the way can add so much to the experience! We visited in January – that gave us the chance to see lichen, moss, and other interesting plants that might have gotten lost in the lush greenery of warmer months. If you have a camera, this state park is packed with great nature photo opportunities.

My family always enjoys meeting animals on trails. Crowders Mountain State Park is dog friendly. We probably saw at least 25 different dogs in the nearly four hours that we visited the park. One owner of a huge dog named Jake stopped and let us take a picture – I think my 7-year-old could have ridden that friendly pooch up the mountain, and the dog was not even full grown! Check the Crowders Mountain State Park web site regarding specific rules related to dogs, hiking, and other trail etiquette FAQ if you plan to bring furry friends.

Beautiful Hiking Trail in NC © Katrena

There is a sign at the base of the rock at the top that says the trail ends at that point. If you climb over a few rocks just behind that sign, you will see a dazzling view. I reminded my kids before they approached that the area can be dangerous and not to get close to the edge. It is a steep drop past the rocks, but wow, the view is amazing.

Turnback Trail at Crowders Mountain State Park © Katrena

We took the Turnback Trail back – that trail is less strenuous, and a small creek meanders beside part of the trail. Hikers start the return route on the Pinnacle Trail, but the Turnback Trail turns off to the right while the Pinnacle trail stays straight. Each of the trails is denoted by color coded markers with different shapes and they are well marked, so we had no problems finding either trail and staying on them.

Crowders Mountain State Park offers more than ten trails ranging from easy to strenuous, from less than a mile to over 6 miles, so I would think that most folks would find something that might work for them. As I look at the map, it looks like you could hike right into South Carolina if you took the notion to do so. The park also offers picnic areas, camping, an amphitheater, and camping. I'd like to visit again to check out more of their trails and amenities.

In my opinion, a nature hike is one of the greatest ways to enjoy time together as a family. It is a fun way to unplug, unwind, and get a little exercise while engaging with family or friends along the way. North Carolina is blessed with several beautiful state parks. This one, like many of our state parks, offers free admission. You might want to pack a lunch and stay most of the day.