Rocky summits and long views west of Charlotte
Crowders Mountain State Park sits in Gaston County between Gastonia and Kings Mountain, and its two peaks rise sharply out of the rolling Piedmont. NC State Parks lists Kings Pinnacle at 1,705 feet, and Crowders Mountain itself is usually given as about 1,625 feet. The park has no day-use fee, a 7-acre lake by the visitor center, and a trail system that runs from an easy lake loop to the strenuous climbs on the Backside, Tower and Pinnacle Trails.
We went on a clear day in early March 2022, before the leaves came out, so the views opened up long before we reached the top. The trail climbed through bare oaks to rock outcrops with a drop-off and a view across miles of farms and forest.
🥾 The view from the rocks
The outcrops at the top are steep-sided, so watch your footing and keep dogs on a short leash near the edge.
🥾 Trail facts
- Crowders Trail: 2.8 miles one way, moderate
- Backside Trail: 0.8 mile one way, strenuous
- Tower Trail: 1.8 miles one way, strenuous
- Pinnacle Trail (to Kings Pinnacle): 2 miles one way, strenuous
- Lake Trail: 0.8 mile loop, easy
- Fees: No day-use fee. Gates are locked at closing time, which changes by season.
- Managed by: NC Division of Parks and Recreation
Trail facts checked October 2026. Sources: NC State Parks: Crowders Mountain, Crowders Mountain trails, General Management Plan. The Crowders Mountain summit elevation (1,625 feet) is from secondary sources. Trails and roads change, so check with the managing agency before you go.
