South Mountains State Park

Located at the edge of the Piedmont near Connelly Springs, North Carolina, South Mountains State Park is considered one of the state's most rugged parks and offers visitors a wide range of activities.  Rising in elevation to 3,000 feet, the Park includes an 80-foot waterfall and more than 40 miles of trails used by hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.
The deep woodland setting makes South Mountains State Park ideal for camping.  Backpack camping and primitive family camping are popular within the park, and group camping facilities are available in some backpack areas.  Rangers hold regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs to enrich visitors' understanding of the riparian environment of the Park, its plants and animals, watersheds, and trout-stream ecology.
Trout fishing is especially good in any of the Park's many miles of streams, most of which are classified as wild trout water.  Approximately two miles are classified as delayed harvest trout water.
Horses are welcome at South Mountains State Park, where 29 miles of equestrian trails wind through the woodlands.  An equestrian campground adjacent to the horse trailer parking area consists of 15 campsites, a 37-stall barn, and a washhouse with hot showers and flush toilets.
One of the few parks in the state parks system that allows mountain biking, South Mountains State Park has an 18-mile loop trail that is strenuous and challenging as well as scenic. 
Hikers may choose from a variety of marked hiking trails through the rugged terrain.  The most popular is High Shoals Falls Loop Trail, which leads to a beautiful, crystal-clear waterfall.  Visitors can enjoy picnicking at the Park's two picnic grounds.  The Jacob's Fork picnic area is accessible for persons with disabilities.

Hours of Operation

March                               8 am - 7 pm
April - May                        8 am - 8 pm
June-August                    8 am - 9 pm
September                      8 am - 8 pm
October                             8 am - 7 pm
November - February     8 am - 6 pm
The Park is closed on Christmas Day.  The park office is open 8 am - 5 pm on weekdays, and is closed on state holidays.

Admission Fees

A nominal fee is charged for all camping.  The picnic shelter is free on a first-come, first-serve basis, but can be reserved for $85 per day.
*Prices are subject to change without notice & from what is listed on this website.

Location

South Mountains State Park is located about 18 miles south of Morganton.  From I-40, take Exit 105, turn south on NC 18, travel nine miles and make a right turn onto SR 1913 (Sugarloaf Road).  Take SR 1913 to Old NC 18 and turn left.  Travel four miles and make a right turn onto SR 1901 (Ward's Gap Road).  The Park is off SR 1901 on SR 1904 (South Mountains Park Avenue).

South Mountains State Park
3001 South Mountains State Park Avenue
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
(828) 433-4772
http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/somo/home.html