Beautiful hikes and mountains views. Nice picnic area with restrooms available. Several people fishing or playing in the stream. Good place for families. read more

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Amazing views!!! Came here on a group hike and it did not disappoint! We did the 4 something mile loop from the upper parking lot to the waterfall and back to the parking lot. It is hard! The amount of incline is enough but going up the stairs after resting at the waterfall was dreadful. We survived! The views are OMG!!!!! Wow! Breathtaking at each lookout. The stone is so smooth it almost looks painted. It rained a little at one of our lookout stops and it was such a refreshing experience. Cellphone reception here is super limited and so I want to come back in hopes I'll be able to actually track my hike . read more

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Went on a perfect day! The weather was not too hot and nice and windy. The park is kept so clean, really impressed with that. read more

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Absolutely one of my favorite places to hike!! It's not that far out of Charlotte, it's scenic and serene and you get a good sweat! At the end of the trail there's a rest/picnic area too! I go several times from Spring through Fall! read more

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My wife and I came to hike the High Shoals Falls Loop, and it was pretty intense. The inclines going up to the falls (clockwise on the park map) were steep and included many high steps. The view of the falls was nice, but be prepared for some steps! It also seemed like a pretty popular hike, so we had to stop frequently along the way up because some parts of the trail are pretty narrow. The Big Bear Trail also ended at a small waterfall which was nice and calm enough to stick our feet in the water - a good way to cool off after some intense hiking. read more

This is a bit off the beaten path, not particularly close to Asheville or Charlotte or any other real city. Cell service isn't great, but I actually managed to find an okay signal halfway up a mountain to do an online meeting. The rest of my visit, though, was blissfully free of interruptions. There are numerous trails, varied topography, and plenty of water features. I didn't quite make it up to the peak at Chestnut Knob as I had limited time, but even the view of the intervening valley was worth a hike. There were ample signs about bears and this was the sort of place I imagine they would be a real possibility, but I did not see any large wildlife. Just the breeze in the trees. There were also horse trails and ample picnic areas, so one's experience could range from a fairly challenging hike to a more family-oriented experience. read more

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What a great visit!! I really enjoyed the trails!!, Water and water falls, I enjoy our states parks here in Nc, I especially Loved this one Because the trails reminded me of the area near my home place in West Virginia!, I recommend the trails and just to get away for the day or evening, You won't regret coming to the most rugged state park here in North Carolina - Trails Covered - HEMLOCK NATURE TRAIL HIGH SHOALS FALLS LOOP BIG BEAR FALLS read more

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Awesome park! For a Friday morning at 9am it was not crowded at all. The hike was semi-strenuous as others have mentioned and it's important to take your time on the rocks, fallen trees, steep steps, debris etc especially the day after it has rained. Such a relaxing, beautiful waterfall view. Enjoy! Random notes: -Free maps at the visitor center. Masks required. -Bathrooms at the visitor center are super clean and hand sanitizer is available. -Two or three trash bins on trail but no dog waste bags so bring your own. -Parking is free and the lot is a decent size. - no cell service once you enter the park.( Verizon and T-Mobile). read more

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South Mountains State Park is the largest North Carolina State Park, and is only about an hour away from Charlotte. If you're looking for a beautiful outdoor escape, this is the place. The park has miles and miles of trails, but I'd highly recommend the High Shoals Falls Loop. It's a 2.5 mile loop that brings you up the stream and crosses right in front of a tall waterfall. There's some rock scrambles and a good number of steps, but is not too bad otherwise in terms of difficulty. There's a decent amount of parking as well as convenient restrooms at both the visitor center and the trail head. This was the perfect day trip during COVID. There were hardly any crowds, and plenty of space to spread out! read more

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My partner and I visited this park on a late Saturday morning-- and we were thoroughly impressed. It is obvious that consideration of customers is taken into consideration by the landscaping done-- it's really a beautiful place. There are also several trails that appear to be wheelchair accessible which is wonderful. We did the upper falls trail loop and will absolutely return for several of the others. There was so much education along the trails about rocks, trees, and wildlife-- which I thought was so nice for inquiring minds. I encourage you to take a hike there when able! read more

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One of the closer parks to the Charlotte area, this is a great alternative to the ever-crowded Crowder's Mountain State Park. There are lots of streams to view and listen to on your visit, not to mention a huge waterfall a short hike from the parking area and accessible for most visitors without much hiking experience. I have come here in spring when the water was raging and in winter to see High Shoals Falls completely frozen up. Make sure you access the park from the Jacob Fork Access area. There are at least 40 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. Drive up campsites, back country campsites and sites for horseback riders to camp with their horses all can be found here. Fishing is apparently very popular in the plentiful streams. This park really has it all as far as NC State Parks go. I consider it a sort of hidden gem because many urbanites overlook it despite all it has to offer. As with most of the state parks in NC, there is no entry fee. However, in order to camp you will need to pay. It's worth it to visit in the off-season for less people, nicer temperatures and cheaper camping fees. read more

In the middle of nowhere yet only 1 hour and 19 minutes from Charlotte. No cell service here, so make sure you're prepared and don't do stupid stuff. High Shoals Falls Loop Trail is 2.7 miles. It starts along a pristine river (if you take lower route). Then you walk across rocks by river, followed by a bridge that crosses under some smaller falls, 460 steps, a gorgeous waterfall where the mist hits your face, and the top of the mountain. However, you don't come here for views (not much). You come here for a peaceful hike and the waterfall. There are picnic tables near the parking lot for when you're done. Pack a lunch because there are no restaurants around here. If you want to get away from the world, go here! read more

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Wow. What a beautiful state park! I was convinced into going hiking for the very first time. I must say, I definitely outdid myself and completed the hike like a champ. There were some difficult parts but nonetheless I thoroughly enjoyed the hike, the people we've met along the way and some of the cute furry friends as well. We were able to take nice pictures along the route including by the waterfall and by Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlock. We hiked the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail. We ate by the standing water along the side. There were also some picnic tables. I though the park was very well maintained as well. I'm super proud of the ladies I went with and I can't wait to try some other state parks in NC. Ps. I loved the State Park Passport! I got my first stamp :) read more

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We loved hiking at Stone Mountain. They have several trails that are fairly wide, and moderate difficulty. Best part you can bring the dogs and you get amazing views. read more

South Mountains State Park - Stone Mountain - Parks Near Me - Connellys Springs, North Carolina

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This is a great place to do some hiking that isn't too far of a drive from Charlotte. It's about 1.5 hours away and there are quite a few good trails. The most popular trail is the High Shoals Falls trail. It's about a 2 mile loop that takes you to a nice view of a waterfall. It's pretty flat until you get to the falls and then there are a ton of stairs to get to the top. It's a pretty view of the mountains above the falls. We also hiked the first part of the Chestnut Knob trail to the first overlook. It had a very pretty view and you could see the waterfall in the distance. I would like to go back and hike all the way to the Chestnut Knob Overlook. There's lots of great hiking in the mountains, but this is probably one of the best views with the shortest drive from Charlotte that you can find. read more

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So beautiful!! Lots of trails. Many with waterfalls, small & medium ones. Handicap trail available. Horse trail available. Some trail are steep and rocky, fun for the whole family. Surrounded by large woods. Watch out though, there is poison ivy everywhere on the edges of the path. So many pretty photo spots including High Shoal Falls. Basins of water say do not swim but they do look perfect for that . read more

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Awesome park and great for a day trip from the Charlotte area. The High Shoals Falls hike was perfect. Some parts are strenuous and you may be hiking over huge boulders and climbing many stairs so wear good hiking shoes and take your time. I'm no spring chicken and reaching the top at the waterfall was such a satisfying accomplishment for me! Beautiful views and peaceful surroundings. Pack a lunch to enjoy once you finish. Definitely one of my favorite places to reconnect with nature. read more

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Is a fantastic place to go is a gorgeous Waters and there are several different campgrounds that are very funny I do not suggest going during the summer when the children are out of school if you are an adult without kids or elderly I would suggest going on okay why are the children at school watch out for rattlesnakes there's a federal offense to kill one on this property read more

South Mountains State Park is located in Connellys Springs, 1 hour Northwest of Charlotte, North Carolina. We visited on a Saturday during Thanksgiving weekend in the end of November and there was a forest Ranger directing traffic. There was a 10 minute wait to park. The forest Ranger was letting cars go in as they were coming out so as soon as we were let in we were able to find a parking spot without any issues. South Mountains State Park has 22 different trails so you can come back again and again and always explore a different area of the mountains. We took the Hemlock Nature Trail to the High Shoals Loop which took us to the High Shoal Waterfalls which was a 3 mile hike. The 3 mile hike was mostly uphill so it took a good half hour to get all the way to the top of the mountain by the waterfall and it took another half hour to get back down. The waterfall was very pretty and worth the hike. There are salamanders, minnows, & crawfish in the water. Wild animals in the forest park include possums, Bobcats, gray foxes, wild turkeys, black bears, white tailed deer, minks, and raccoons. The trail was free from debris or weeds but a bit muddy and slippery so do be cautious of where you step. Many areas of the trail have built in steps and guard rails for better stability on the climb. I look forward to returning again and exploring more trails on my next visit. If you're in the Charlotte, NC area I highly recommend visiting this park! South Mountains State Park features elevations to 3,000 feet, an 80-foot waterfall, mountain streams and more than 40 miles of trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers. A true backcountry experience is offered at 24 backpacking campsites at seven locations. Equestrian camping is available with trailer parking and barn to complement 33 miles of bridle trails. Mountain bikers enjoy a strenuous 17-mile loop. Drive-to campsites sit beside the Jacob Fork River, with the river and its tributaries offering miles of trout fishing. There are two picnic areas and a picnic shelter for groups. The visitor center offers museum-quality exhibits on the cultural and natural history of the South Mountains. read more

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We stayed at family campground site #2 and had a great time! The smaller area wasn't big enough for our 6 person tent so we had to move it to the main area with the fire pit. We had to be super careful with our fire but that was no big deal. It's supposed to be a single family campsite anyways. We arrived after 5 PM so were unable to buy the firewood at the campgrounds office. Lucky for us our neighbors were sweet enough to let us borrow 2 logs- just enough to make hotdogs and s'mores! The facilities were very clean and well stocked. We went hiking the next day and the waterfall was stunning! It's a little strenuous to do the full loop but definitely doable with stops when needed. We saw smaller kids (6-8 years old) do the hike too just with lots of breaks. There were plenty of picnic sites throughout the park. I love how it's only about an 1.5 hour drive from Charlotte! read more

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Really nice state park. It's out of threat of major highways so it's not as crowded as other parks. Plenty of hiking and horse riding trails. It also has a beautiful campground. Also a trail to a waterfall. But unfortunately by the time we came here from driving around NC and finally deciding to check it out, it was getting late. We plan on camping here soon so plenty of pics in the future. Hours are basically sunrise to sunset for park. There is s ranger information station as you enter. read more

South Mountains State Park - Parks Near Me - Connellys Springs, North Carolina

South Mountains is North Carolina's largest state park and is a hikers park. Lots of trails here. The High Shoals Falls trail is apparently the must-do hike. A 2.7 mile round-trip from the parking lot, it's an excellent hike offering great scenery as well as a good workout. Walking clockwise at the start of the loop a short distance from parking lot, the trail has large boulders in and along the creek, a large, highly sloped rock face (Hugo Rock) and a lot of stone and wooden steps ascending to the lower falls platform. More steps take you to the upper falls and bridge across the creek. Nice picnic table there for lunch. The trail transitions to drier pine forest after you cross over the bridge. There's a campground is a short distance off the main trail with six or seven marked tent spots surrounding a large open area (the Upper Falls Trail campsites). Campsites are separated quite a bit, giving each site some isolation. Two rustic-looking outhouses. The campgrounds also on the equestrian trail, so horses are welcome. Return loop is a more or less continuous downslope back to the creek, with the drier pine terrain all the way. There are several places where steps have been installed to make the descent easier. Going clockwise is easier for those with bad knees. Descending the steps on the falls side of the loop is a knee-killer, not to mention that going down steep steps is a bit more precarious than ascending. Some will be going both up and down the steps, however, if all they're doing is the falls section of the trail and not continuing on up to the top and around the full loop. We also went to the Jacob Fork River Gorge overlook, a short but steep 0.7 mile hike up the Chestnut Knob trail. You can see the High Shoals falls from a distance across the gorge. If you continue on the full 1.8 miles there's another overlook. We did not go that far. There are a lot of wooden steps installed on this trail, too. Free trail maps are available inside the ranger station, or outside in a flip-up box if the station is closed. You can also buy a better map for $5. The free paper map is fine. The ranger station has a raised relief map of the park, although the trails aren't real easy to see and I don't think they're that accurate. But it looks cool. Highly recommended. read more

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Awesome state park! If you and your family are looking for a fun day adventure this is the place to go. Camping sites all appeared to be very comfortable and well maintained. The visitors center with a small gift store and a museum are definitely worth a view. read more

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Enjoyed the High Shoals trail. We went clockwise which meant we went up the steps to the waterfall and down the dirt hill afterwards. Depending on your knee slash kid situation you want to consider going counterclockwise. Heard good things about the clean bathrooms as well. read more

Absolutely magical ! We went in Late November Hikes that were strenuous are do-able Mostly hard because of elevation. Lots of steps to main fall attraction Worth the hike! The bear fall was ok for older lab- Give yourself time to hike back before it gets dark All trails were maintained and wide! We had a great time This was our overnight stay headed to VA We will make this a tradition Site 12 was perfect for our 21 ft trailer. No Dump station but most RV retailers off of 40 have one ! read more

Camping, hiking, dog friendly, waterfalls just gorgeous place. Has everything and some good challenging hiking read more

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Very nice place for kids have fun and refreshing your mind with clear air and playing with clear running water river. My son love fishing and always catching fish and lobster read more

Glad I found this place on the maps. It's just 80 mins drive from Charlotte and a perfect getaway from the hot summer weather. Most of the trails here are cool, covered by trees on both sides and you don't get much exposed to the sun ( specially for people who love outdoors but also have issues like sun Burns etc) I had read reviews of the waterfall trail and we chose the high shoals waterfall trail which is 2.7 mile and strenuous per the map but I kind of didn't feel it that strenuous ,I would rate it a little above moderate. But this one definitely has heavy traffic. But the view throughout with small water streams and the waterfall towards the end is the best part of this hike. They have good parking arrangements. read more

South Mountains State Park - The waterfall at 1 mile from the parking lot - total hike is 2.7 miles for high shoals waterfall trail - Parks Near Me - Connellys Springs, North Carolina

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Great quick hikes to the waterfall or plenty of distance hikes if you want the exercise. read more

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It's a great park! Huge! Better than crowders and the views are amazing. Something you won't see many places. The water falls are to die for! People in the water. Jumping off the rocks. Very great to spend your day. Bring water and snacks. And if you make it to the top you won't believe it because it's truly a workout. I'd go again even if it's a little bit farther than crowders. What's the point of going to a small mountain to see Charlotte. When you could go to a real mountain and see beautiful water falls. By the way. You won't have ANY SERVICES. But you won't need your phone when your with great people and a great challenge to get to the top. Bring a towel and something to get in the water with. They have bathrooms at the front but you will be too far to use them if you go on the trail to see the water falls. Over all. Just get out there and go!! read more

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I am only writing this review because Crowders Mountains State Park has 49 reviews on yelp while South Mountains, the largest state park in NC only has 8, and the only reason I can think of is that Crowders Mountains is closer to the big city of Charlotte than South Mountains. Both are great parks. Arriving the park around 9AM, I did 3 trails (almost 5 miles total) one morning with my pup: the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail l, Hemlock Nature Trail and Chestnut Knob Trail up to the Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlook. The High Shoals Falls trail is a must because the waterfalls are awesome. I followed previous yelpers' suggestion to do it clockwise so that I would climb the stairs and scrambled some rocks on the way up. At one point I was almost out of breath but my pup kept me going. Hemlock Nature Trail is flat and pretty relaxing after the strenuous hike from High Shoals Falls Trail. It also offers easy access to the clear creek which my pup liked. I decided to take on the Chestnut Knob Trail as the sign says it's only 0.7 mile to the Jacob Fork River Gorge Overlook. Boy oh boy I didn't realize it's 0.7 mile constant uphill. The worst part? The overlook is just not much to look at (honestly I am not even sure if I saw the gorge), and I lost my drive to continue onto the Chestnut Knob. It's a good workout for sure. With all those recent news about snakes in the area, I was really worried about snake encounters when I got to the park. The park ranger said there are copperheads and such in the park and it's snake season now. Fortunately I didn't see any. Why are you still reading? Just go. read more

South Mountains State Park - Part of the stairs you will encounter on the High Shoals Falls Trail - Parks Near Me - Connellys Springs, North Carolina

My most visited waterfalls every time I go to Charlotte. The trails can be challenging at the end towards the waterfalls, but the view is very relaxing and beautiful. read more

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Nice park did the short water shed loop hike ! Great 1 mike hike for all ages. Will definitely be going back to do the longer hike read more

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No idea why so few reviews for such a lovely park. We did High Shoals Falls loop trail today and it was amazing! Still iced over in some of the rocky areas so it made for a slick climb but the views were fantastic. 2.7 loop and my god at the stairs. The waterfall was still frozen in many parts but flowing pretty good as well. No swimming signs posted due to injury and deaths. Beautiful day. Great park. Good for all ages and dogs. Cannot wait to return! read more

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Granted this is pretty much in the middle of nowhere but it is truly a hidden gem only 90 minutes from Charlotte! This serves as a great picnic escape from the city with some great dayhiking as well. I recommend taking the extremely scenic High Shoals Falls loop going UP all the steps on the left side of the falls and bring that loop back around to the trail back out to the parking lot. When you are nearing the parking lot, take the Chestnut Knob trail to the overlook where you can see the falls on the High Shoals Falls trails across the valley. Then continue out the Chestnut Knob trail for a challenging second leg of your dayhike. (This is an out and back trail). When you get back to your car, you will feel accomplished. read more

South Mountains State Park - The view from the end of the Chestnut Knob trail. - Parks Near Me - Connellys Springs, North Carolina

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Very nice park. The waterfall loop is a quick but very good hike. Everyone at the Ranger station is nice and helpful. Hiked and spent a couple of nights backpacking. Recommend for sure. read more

Be careful: the address associated with the park on most GPS systems is incorrect! Many take you to an undeveloped portion of the park. So before you start driving, look to make sure you're headed to an entrance off South Mountains Park Avenue (off Ward's Gap Rd). I happened to visit the park on a whim, while on the way to the more western NC mountains, and was thoroughly surprised, and impressed. Regardless of the advantage of its proximity to Charlotte (although it doesn't hurt), South Mountains has quickly become a favorite park of mine in all of North Carolina. It offers great hiking trails (with more than one impressive waterfall - the very accessible High Shoals Falls boasts a height of 80 feet), a picnicking area, camping, fishing, mountain biking and an equestrian area.. The most popular trail is the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail (2.7 miles the loop alone). The park map can be a little tricky to read, but combining this trail with the HQ trail (1.7 miles alone) and the Upper Falls Trail to form a loop is one of my favorite trails, and is found in the book '100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina' by Joe Miller. The total distance of the look is about 5 miles and takes perhaps 3 miles to cover. The trail is rated a bit on the harder side in terms of difficulty, although the first stretch to reach High Shoals Falls, particularly the section that parallels the Jordan River, is quite mild. The hardest part of the trail crops up once you reach the option to continue on the Upper Falls Trail to the HQ Trail: within 0.7 miles of hiking you climb 400 vertical feet. After that, it's smooth sailing for 3 miles mostly downhill. I found the trails to be well-kept, but not overly populated and incredibly scenic. The Hemlock nature trail - about 0.3 miles and handicap accessible - is an easy option for younger kids and is located near the picnicking area. There are a number of signs along the trail providing environmental information and ecology lessons. At one point I passed an amphitheatre where they must provide programs for kids. Overall: Fantastic park! read more

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Visited South Mountain State Park this evening with my girlfriend. Have been here countless times and each time is unbelievable. Such a great place to get out and off the beaten path. Took High Shoals Fall trail to the waterfall and back (~1.8 miles round trip). Hike can get technical up near the top. Trails for all levels of hikers from novice to experienced. Clean facilities near the parking area. Can get crowded on the weekends especially in the summer. Word to the wise...no cell reception at the trail head, so download everything you need prior to your arrival. read more

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First, there is another listing on yelp, but both the name is wrong as well as the address.......... South Mountains is another park that is fairly new to the family of North Carolina State Parks. It is the largest park in the state park system and is a relatively short distance drive from Charlotte. This park packs a punch with what it offers its visitors.....hiking, day-use picnicking, fishing, equestrian, mountain biking, and back country camping. Though it seems strange so close to Charlotte, but the park includes elevations up to 3000 feet and multiple waterfalls, so dropping as much as 80 feet. 40 miles of trails, it is considered to be one of the most rugged parks. I am exclusively fishing in this park, though I have hiked a trail or two. It is a great place for a day trip or a car camping overnight trip. Camping sites do have toilets, but you need to make reservations at least 2 days in advance......period. I've tried do it last minute and it just doesn't work. Trust me. read more

Great place!! We love to go hiking here with our kids. Bring a picnic lunch or a cooler with stuff to grill. There are covered picnic areas plus great tree covered areas to cook out. It's very clean and well maintained. Clean bathrooms. The kids love to get their feet wet and keep cool in the stream. Good for anybody who wants to hike or walk their dog. You won't regeret checking out this beautiful location! read more