Crowders Mountain State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- ncparks.gov(704) 853-5375
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Crowders Mountain State Park is a park in Cleveland County, about 4 miles southeast of Kings Mountain.
Popular activities here are rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. For overnight stays there are 2 camping areas (tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping).
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other — January | Daily | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Daily | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Daily | 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. | — |
| Park | The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays. | ||
| Campground | Campground: 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. | ||
| Visitor center | Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Day-Use Accesses: 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.
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 park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Campground: 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.
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 park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Visitor Center: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 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.
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 park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Free entry at most parks ('Most state parks are free to enter'); per-vehicle day-use fees at the reservoir SRAs (Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake) and fees for swimming, boat launches, rentals, ferries and camping.
Statewide fee rule from North Carolina's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
North Carolina park passes
- Annual Pass for Reservoirs — $70 Details
- Annual Pass — $100 Details
- Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access — $200. Annual Pass benefits plus four-wheel-drive beach access Details
From the North Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (northcarolinastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-722-6762
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backpack Camping – Primitive Hike-In Campsites When you've finished exploring for the day, settle in for a long night's sleep. Located approximately 1 mile from the visitor center are secluded areas for camping — areas so private that there is often not another person in sight.
Ten backpack campsites in the family campground accommodate up to 6 people each. Campers must register at the visitor center to receive an overnight parking tag.
These campsites are reached by trail, and all supplies must be packed in and carried to the campsites. Firewood is available for purchase at the visitor center and are picked up at the campground area.… | — | — | |
| Group Camping – Primitive Hike-In Tent Campsites Larger groups will enjoy fellowship in the backcountry group camping area. Sites 2 to 5 can accommodate 10 to 15 people, while sites 6 to 9 can accommodate up to 25 people.
These campsites are reached by trail, and supplies must be packed in and carried to the campsites, located about 1 mile from the visitor center. Firewood is available for purchase at the visitor center and are picked up at the campground area. All campers must register at the visitor center to receive overnight parking tags.
Each site includes a fire ring with a grill and three picnic tables. Drinking water and vault… | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping at Sparrow Springs
- Tent sites (backpacking only)
- Group tent sites (backpacking only)
- Firewood
There are no camping facilities at Linwood or Boulders access.
Backpack Camping – Primitive Hike-In Campsites
When you've finished exploring for the day, settle in for a long night's sleep. Located approximately 1 mile from the visitor center are secluded areas for camping — areas so private that there is often not another person in sight.
Ten backpack campsites in the family campground accommodate up to 6 people each. Campers must register at the visitor center to receive an overnight parking tag.
These campsites are reached by trail, and all supplies must be packed in and carried to the campsites. Firewood is available for purchase at the visitor center and are picked up at the campground area.
Each campsite has a grill, picnic table, and two tent pads. Drinking water and vault toilets are provided.
There is a family campsite located in the group camping area that is accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please contact the park at 704-853-5375 for any questions about the accessible campsites, including about vehicular access. Please do note reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Forgoing the comforts of home is worth it when every stream, tree, and flower seems made just for you.
Book Now
Group Camping – Primitive Hike-In Tent Campsites
Larger groups will enjoy fellowship in the backcountry group camping area. Sites 2 to 5 can accommodate 10 to 15 people, while sites 6 to 9 can accommodate up to 25 people.
These campsites are reached by trail, and supplies must be packed in and carried to the campsites, located about 1 mile from the visitor center. Firewood is available for purchase at the visitor center and are picked up at the campground area. All campers must register at the visitor center to receive overnight parking tags.
Each site includes a fire ring with a grill and three picnic tables. Drinking water and vault toilets are provided.
There is a group campsite for 10 to 15 people that is accessible for people with limited mobility or disabilities. Please contact the park at 704-853-5375 for any questions about the accessible campsites, including about vehicular access. Please do note reserve an accessible site if no one in your group needs it, unless it is the only site left available when you are making your reservation.
Advance reservations are recommended for group campsites.
Cancellation Policy for Group Campsites
Please note that if you need to cancel your group campsite reservations, you have until 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
Book Now
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingCanoeing and kayakingFishingPicnickingRock climbingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backside Trail | 0.8 mi | Strenuous | 0.8-mile one way; Blaze: orange hexagonsHiking only |
| Rocktop Trail | 1.5 mi | Strenuous | 1.5-mile one way; Blaze: red circlesHiking only |
| Tower Trail | 1.8 mi | Strenuous | 1.8-mile one way; Blaze: blue squaresHiking only |
| Group Camping Trail | 1.1 mi | Moderate | 1.1-mile one way; Blaze: blue diamondsHiking only |
| Family Camping Trail | 1 mi | Moderate | 1-mile one way; Blaze: red squaresHiking only |
| Crowders Trail | 2.8 mi | Moderate | 2.8-mile one way; Blaze: white diamondsHiking only |
| Fern Trail | 0.8 mi | Easy | 0.8-mile loop; Blaze: red hexagonsHiking only |
| Lake Trail | 0.8 mi | Easy | 0.8-mile loop; Blaze: blue circlesHiking only |
| Pinnacle Trail | 2 mi | Strenuous | 2-mile one way; Blaze: orange circlesHiking only |
| Ridgeline Trail | 6.2 mi | Moderate | 6.2-mile one way; Blaze: red trianglesHiking only |
| Turnback Trail | 1.2 mi | Moderate | 1.2-mile one way; Blaze: white trianglesHiking only |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking Trails: Open
Backside Trail (0.8-mile one way; Blaze: orange hexagons), Strenuous, Hiking only
Rocktop Trail (1.5-mile one way; Blaze: red circles), Strenuous, Hiking only
Tower Trail (1.8-mile one way; Blaze: blue squares), Strenuous, Hiking only
Group Camping Trail (1.1-mile one way; Blaze: blue diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only
Family Camping Trail (1-mile one way; Blaze: red squares), Moderate, Hiking only
Crowders Trail (2.8-mile one way; Blaze: white diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only
Fern Trail (0.8-mile loop; Blaze: red hexagons), Easy, Hiking only
Lake Trail (0.8-mile loop; Blaze: blue circles), Easy, Hiking only
Pinnacle Trail (2-mile one way; Blaze: orange circles), Strenuous, Hiking only
Ridgeline Trail (6.2-mile one way; Blaze: red triangles), Moderate, Hiking only
Turnback Trail (1.2-mile one way; Blaze: white triangles), Moderate, Hiking only
Boating and paddling
Paddling (Sparrow Springs only)
Fishing
Fishing (Sparrow Springs only)
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Amphitheater
- Group facilities
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 108 Vandyke Road
Kings Mountain, NC 28086 - Nearest town
- Kings Mountain — about 4 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 35.2133, -81.2935
- Phone
- (704) 853-5375
- crowders.mountain@ncparks.gov
Entrances
- Sparrow Springs Access and Visitor Center — 522 Park Office Lane, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
- Linwood Road Access — 4611 Linwood Road, Gastonia, NC 28086
- Boulders Access — 108 Vandyke Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- North Carolina State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- NC State Parks 'Catalog: Find a State Park Access' (paged Drupal view, ?page=0..6)
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology