Crowders Mountain

Located along I-85 in Gaston County near the South Carolina border, Crowders Mountain State Park is the closest park to the City of Charlotte.  Established in 1974, the park encompasses 5,300 acres, connects to Kings Mountain National Military Park, and continues all the way down to Kings Mountain State Park in South Carolina.

Technically called a monadnock, Crowders Mountain is actually an erosional remnant of a much higher mountain that existed 400-500 million years ago.  While visiting, I hiked the Pinnacle Trail, took photographs from the top, and meandered back down to the Sparrow Springs Visitor Center on my way back home.

With over 30 miles of trails to explore, including the Ridgeline Trail that connects with the military park, I’m sure I’ll be back to learn more about the area in the future.