Crowders Mountain State Park is a state park in North Carolina. There are several miles of trails and a number of vistas overlooking the region as well as nearby Charlotte. Eleven trails range from pastoral to strenuous, including the Ridgeline Trail, which links to Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. A nine-acre lake offers choice spots for fishing or an opportunity to try canoeing with rentals available. Backcountry camping is featured with individual sites approximately a mile from parking areas. The rugged terrain of Crowders Mountain lends itself to rock climbing and bouldering with a permit in designated areas. A visitor center with museum-quality exhibits complements regular interpretive programs.
There are no entrance fees to enjoy the park.
Boating
Visitors may launch non-engine powered watercraft. None are provided.
Firewood
Firewood is available to campers for $5.00 per bundle. A bag of kindling is available for $4.00 each. No outside wood is allowed.
Wildlife
Feeding wildlife, especially Canada Geese, is prohibited.
Climbing and Bouldering
All climbers must register with the park by completing a climbing and rappelling registration and activity permit which is available at the park office visitor center or at the self-registration box at the Linwood Access Area and Boulders Access Area.
There are three park entrances -- Sparrow Springs, Linwood Road and Boulders. Sparrow Springs is the main entrance and visitor center. It serves as the hub to the parks main trail system for the Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain. Linwood Road access is the quickest route to the popular Crowders Mountain overlook. Boulders Access is near the border for North and South Carolina. It's along the Ridgeline Trail for hikes to the Pinnacle or the nearby Kings Mountain National Park and trail system.
North Carolina State Parks are open every day, with the exception of Christmas Day. Park hours vary with the seasons. Contact the park office at 704-853-5375 or crowders.mountain@ncparks.gov for the most current information about seasonal hours, activities, alerts, camping fees, programs rules and weather.
Anyone climbing/rappelling/bouldering must register with the park staff and must keep in their possession a valid rock climbing/rappelling/ bouldering permit (the yellow copy of the registration form). Organized private, commercial, or non-profit groups must obtain a Special Activity Permit prior to the outing. There is a fee per day. To allow a balance between group and individual climbers, only three permits will be issued per day. Contact the park office for more information. New routes are not permitted. Climbing activities are permitted in designated areas only and must coincide with the park's posted hours of operation.
Event permits. Some events—such as weddings, athletic contests, company parties, etc.—may require a Special Activity Permit. If you're unsure whether such a permit is necessary for your event, call the park office beforehand. You can download a Special Activity Permit application or obtain one from the park office.
Research and collection permits. A permit is required for any project involving the collection, removal or disturbance of any natural or cultural resource of any state park unit and for projects that require placing monitoring equipment in any state park unit. Learn more about research and collection permits or fill out a permit application online.
Allowed on leash at all times.