South Mountains State Park Photo: DiscoA340 / CC BY-SA 4.0
United States › North Carolina

South Mountains State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: about 20,000 acres (81 km²)
  • Elevation: up to about 3,000 feet (910 m)
  • Trails: nearly 50 miles (80 km) for hikers, riders and mountain bikers
  • Signature feature: High Shoals Falls, about 80 feet (24 m)
  • Gateway: Morganton and Connelly Springs
  • Managed by: NC State Parks

The landscape

South Mountains is an isolated range where the Appalachians meet the Piedmont, with rugged ridges, deep valleys and the Jacob Fork River, a designated trout stream. Hardwood forest covers the slopes, and High Shoals Falls drops into a boulder-filled gorge. Black bears, deer and many birds live here.

Best time to go

Spring and fall are ideal for hiking. Summer is warm and humid. Winter is mild and quiet.

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Getting there and around

The Jacob Fork access is the main entrance, with parking, the campground and trailheads. A separate Clear Creek access, with its own lake, lies to the west.

Things to do

The High Shoals Falls loop is the park’s best-known hike. Longer trails climb to ridges and backcountry campsites for overnight trips. Horse riders and mountain bikers have their own trail networks, and anglers fish the Jacob Fork.

Staying safe

Storms can damage trails and leave hazards; respect any posted closures. Open trails are steep and rocky. Stay off wet rock near falls. Store food from bears and leave a trip plan.

Know before you go

Backcountry sites need a reservation, and storms can close trails and access areas. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions with NC State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
35.6117, -81.6980
Magnetic declination
7.5° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

35 places in South Mountains State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Park entrance

On the trail 7

Campgrounds

Sights 27

Viewpoints

Waterfalls

Lakes

Peaks 18

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingBackcountryCycling

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
MountainsForestRivers
Key hazards
Storm damage and fallen treesSteeprocky climbsSlippery rock near waterfallsBlack bears
Best seasons
Spring, Fall (foliage), Winter
Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous
Access / trailheads
The Jacob Fork access near Connelly Springs, about 55 miles (89 km) east of Asheville in Burke County. The separate Clear Creek access lies to the west.
Water
Streams; treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Patchy in the valleys.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
Camping, including backcountry sites, is reserved through NC State Parks.
Leave No Trace
Respect closures, camp only at designated sites, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high71°F(22°C)22°C(71°F)
Average low46°F(8°C)8°C(46°F)
Rainfall3.8 in(96 mm)96 mm(3.8 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 21 minSunrise 7:32 a.m., sunset 6:52 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Morganton station, 8 miles (13 km)13 km (8 miles) away at 1,180 feet (360 m)360 m (1,180 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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