South Mountains State Park
South Mountains State Park is the 31st park in our 2025 North Carolina State Park Challenge. This park really has amazing mountain views- but you’ll have to work for them. Almost half of the trails in the park are rated as strenuous and all of the trails except one are one way- so to get back where you started you’ll either have to follow the trail back, doubling the distance listed on the map, or take another intertwining trail back. Even High Shoals Falls Loop- the most popular trail in the park (and only loop trail) is rated as strenuous and is almost 3 miles long.
We decided to start with a hike out to Chestnut Knob Trail- which is a strenuous hike that is 5.2 miles round trip. The overlook is well worth the hike and is a great place to rest and eat a snack before heading back down. We were planning on doing a second long hike out to Jacob’s Branch Trail, but Chestnut Knob took us longer than anticipated and I wasn’t sure we would make it before sunset. So we headed down to our campsite and set up for the night to have a slow evening instead.
The campsites are fairly close together and don’t have too much privacy between the sites. I would say the most secluded you will get is the sites across from the bathhouse (sites 11, 13, 16, & 18) with 18 probably being the most private. It is one of the few electric sites but it does have a tent pad and picnic tables like all the other primitive sites. This park also has 6 different backpack-in campgrounds spread across the park and an equestrian campground.
The next morning, we opted for a slow morning as well, eating some breakfast and relaxing in the tent while the temperature warmed up at bit. Then we took Big Bear Trail out the short half mile walk to a 34 foot waterfall. This is a good alternative to the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail which is currently closed. It takes you out to a 80 foot waterfall, but is closed right now due to trail maintenance and debris removal post Hurricane Helene. We could hear the falls throughout the park and got one small glimpse of it (from very far away) while up on the Chestnut Knob Trail.
I think its fairly obvious, but all of the mountain parks would be great during the fall especially this one. The Chestnut Knob Trail would be great for some fall foliage.
Park Details:
ADDRESS: 3001 South Mountains Park Ave, Connelly Springs NC 28612
HOURS: December- February: 7am-7pm
March-April & October: 7am-9pm
May- September: 7am-10pm
November: 7am-8pm
VISITOR CENTER: Open Daily 8am-5pm (Located at the Jacob’s Fork Access)
PASSPORT STAMP: At the Visitor Center
ENTRANCE FEE: No Entrance Fee
TRAILS: 50 miles of hiking trails (47 miles at the Jacob Fork Access and 3.5 miles at the Clear Creek Access)
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Biking, & Fishing
DOG RULES: Dogs are not allowed in park buildings and must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please pick up after your pet!
Check out our videos about this Park on instagram @axel.theadventurepup
