South Mountains State Park
Written: Aug 31 '01 (Updated Oct 20 '03)
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Pros: Absolutely beautiful.
Cons: Littering a problem and just a bit too crowded.
The Bottom Line: If you'd like to visit a well-maintained park and still view nature in the wild, this park is a perfect choice.
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| Mom2TyZick's Full Review: South Mountains State Park |
At a family reunion, a great-aunt once told me she was going to Arkansas. I asked her, "What is in Arkansas?" to which she replied "Honey, there's something beautiful to see in every state," and indeed she was right. However, I have to say that though I've been to every southern state (and quite a few northern ones as well), North Carolina has the largest concentration of beautiful spots of all of the states I've lived. South Mountains State Park is just one more example of nature's majesty.
Who knew such a treasure was in my own backyard? This mountain has elevations of up to 3,000 feet and more than 40 miles of trails that you can enjoy on foot, bicycle or by horse. You can even hike up to the waterfall, High Shoals Falls, that drops 80 stunning feet into a beautiful pool of clear water!
What to Do
Camping
If you are into camping, South Mountains is a fine choice. They have twenty backpack sites that you can settle into after a long day of hiking. Each site has a pit toilet and are available first come, first served. Distances to each site varies from between 1.5 and 6 miles. The daily fee for this type camping is $8 per day, per site. You must first register on the board at the park office.
Another option available is family camping. This is located a half mile from the park office and is also available on a first-come, first served basis. Eleven of the sites have a picnic table and a fire circle, and one is handicapped accessible. Group camping is also available. These are available for different fees, based on how many people are in your group, usually $1 a person, with an $8 minimum.
The last camping option is fun for horse lovers! You can actually take your horse camping with you through the park's equestrian camping program. You must pre-register to make sure there is a spot for you. There are 15 camping sites complete with a 37-stall barn, washhouse with hot water and toilets! You could hardly call that roughing it! All of this at a cost of $12 per night for the site and $10 for a 10x10' stall rental. They also have smaller stalls, 5x10', available for $7.
Hiking along the Trails:
There are quite a few trails here of differing levels of difficulty. You can pick up a map at the park to discern which you'd like to take. The most popular one is the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail, which travels about a mile along the Jacob Fork River to the base of the High Shoals Falls which are a beautiful sight. You can even hike further to get to the top of the falls, but that proved too much for us, but the hardy souls who made it told us it was just beautiful! You will need to wear sturdy shoes as the trail is quite long and sometimes rugged.
Admittedly, I am new to this nature thing, so one thing that struck me on our climb up steep stairs with my 4 year old was should something happen (i.e., broken limb), you are a long way from emergency service. Even as careful as we were, my child fell down the stairs headfirst, and though he was all right, we were all pretty shook up by it. Use good sense and don't forget that though you are on a national trail, you are in the woods. Be careful.
There is an easier trail called the Hemlock Nature Trail that is paved so it is wheelchair accessible. It travels through the forest to bring you eleven display areas of plants and animals. There are also two areas to learn about watersheds and trout ecology as this is a delayed harvest area for trout.
Another trail that is a very difficult hike is the Chestnut Knob Trail which travels to Chestnut Knob Overlook.
If you are into horseback riding there are 29 miles of equestrian trails at the park. From Dogwood Trial you can see the second-highest peak in the park for a gorgeous view.
Lastly, South Mountains is one of the very few parks offering trails for mountain bikers. The park offers and 18 mile loop trail that is very strenuous, so bikers are advised to be in good shape before attempting it!
Picnicking:
If you and your family enjoy packing a lunch and picnicking in the bounty of nature, this is a fine choice. While there are a few clear spots that you can drop a blanket by the stream and enjoy a meal, the park has designated picnic areas for you. The first picnic area, Jacob's Fork, is adjacent to the parking lot and handicapped accessible. Facilities include 12 tables, grills and a restroom. My tip is to go on down the trail a little bit to snag a table in the woods. We got there very late on our trip and took the first one we saw available, right by the parking lot! Not a lot to feel natural about!
One note about the picnic area: If you'd like a covered shelter to have a family reunion or other get together at, they are free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you may reserve the area for a fee:
$20 for one to two tables
$35 for three to four tables
$50 for five to eight tables
$75 for nine to twelve tables
Fishing:
If you enjoy fishing, there is no prettier place to do it. South Mountains Park boasts several miles of streams, most of them being wild trout water. On our visit, we saw quite a few people fly fishing. How fun would it be to set up a campsite and catch your own supper?
Events
This park is the location of quite a few fun events. The first is on September 15 this year and is called the Extended Back Country Hike. It is a hike for avid hikers with a park ranger. You will need to bring lunch, snacks and a canteen for this hike. If interested, call to register at the number given below.
The second event is called the Fall Hayride through the Park and is set to take place on October 9. Everyone meets at the park entrance at 8:30 p.m. The hayride will consist of a tour that will teach about the night creatures of South Mountains. You will also need to call to pre-register for this event, as well.
The last event of the year is called the Lake Loop Hike. It takes place on Saturday, November 10. Its purpose is to give you an informative look at the park's newly acquired property, Clear Creek Watershed. You will need to contact the park to pre-register and to get directions.
Park Information
Address: 3001 South Mountains State Park Ave.
Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Phone: 828-433-4772
Email: southmountains@conninc.com
Park Hours:
November-February, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
March and October, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
April, May, September, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
June-August, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
Entrance to the park is free!
Recommended:
Yes
Best time to go: June-August
Recommended for: Familes
Review Topic: Overview
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Mom2TyZick
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Member: Suzanne
Location: North Carolina
Reviews written: 200
Trusted by: 242 members
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