After camping in Virginia, then in North Carolina, my partner and I headed to another state park, this time in South Carolina. We chose to spend a few days at Kings Mountain State Park, as this state park was located near Charlotte which we wanted to visit, and also as there are several hiking trails there.
This is the second time we have visited a South Carolina state park, after visiting Hunting Island last year. But while Hunting Island was located further south and near the coast, Kings Mountain Island is located in the north of the state, in the Piedmont region. I therefore knew that the ecosystems that we would find there would be quite different from those that we had explored last year.
So here is a summary of our hiking and camping experience at Kings Mountain State Park.
A bit of history
In the 1930s, when many Americans were suffering due to the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps, a program that provided work for unemployed youth. The CCCs participated in the construction of numerous infrastructures, as well as the development of many parks, including Kings Mountain State Park.
Many of the park’s structures were built in the 1930s by the CCC, including the dam and the big bathhouse building on the shore of Crawford Lake.
Kings Mountain State Park showcases the hilly forest ecosystem of the Carolina Piedmont. There is also a replica of a typical 18th century farm. It is also interesting to note that although the state park is located right next to an important American Revolutionary War site, Kings Mountain was not named for a king, but rather, is named after a family of local pioneers.
The state park also has miles and miles of trails, some very long as they also serve as equestrian trails. We didn’t go hike them all, but we did a few hikes that gave us a good overview.
Lake Crawford Trail
1-kilometre (0.4-mile) trail. This easy trail follows the south shore of small Crawford Lake, one of two lakes found in the state park. Above all, it allows you to pass near the dam built by the CCC. On the other side of the lake, it is possible to see the bathhouse building, also built by the CCC, now abandoned. There are apparently plans to restore it.
Historic Farm Trail
1.2-kilometre (0.75-mile) trail. This trail, which begins at Crawford Lake, connects the campground to the living historic farm in the state park. The farm seeks to demonstrate what a typical farm in the Carolina Piedmont might have looked like in the 1800s. There are several buildings there, as well as some animals, including horses and chickens.
The trail, which passes through the park’s pretty forest, has some slight ups and downs, but is fairly easy to follow.
CCC Trail
27-kilometre (17-mile) trail. This trail, which can be accessed from the historic farm, serves as both a hiking and equestrian trail. As it is quite long, we did not hike it in its entirety, but rather combined it with others to cover a distance of around 8 kilometres. This trail was built by the CCC and along it there are apparently some remnants of the workers’ camps.
Kings Mountain National Recreation Trail
25.7-kilometre (16-mile) trail. This trail starts at Crawford Lake, and makes a long loop that covers a good part of the state park territory. It also connects it to Kings Mountain National Military Park. Just like the CCC Trail, we only followed a small part of it, but having had more time, I would have liked to follow it in its entirety. We enjoyed the hilly terrain of the state park.
The other trails
The state park has other trails that we didn’t have the chance to explore, including the Ridgeline Trail (9 kilometres / 5.8 miles), which connects Kings Mountain State Park to Crowders Mountain State Park, in North Carolina. But for us, that will be a project for another time! Let’s just say there’s no shortage of options for hiking!
Camping
Kings Mountain State Park has 115 sites, with water and electricity. Even though the campground seemed full during our stay, we appreciated its tranquility and its tall trees. It reminded me why I love camping in state parks so much!
Definitely, it was another positive camping experience for us. We can’t wait to hit the road again to explore other parks like this one!
Looks like a beautiful spot to hike and camp. I’m such a fan of those tall trees as well.
I love all these tall pine trees in South Carolina! They are always an interesting contrast in this warmer climate! 🙂
Looks like you had another amazing trip in to nature, and great to have another successful camping trip 🙂
Yes!! I like exploring all these state parks, there are so many beautiful ones! 🙂
That CCC Trail is very long indeed. It would certainly have been an all day hike. I love the history and variety of this place. Thanks for taking us all along. I don’t even feel tired yet. Allan
Thanks for reading Allan! It was a lovely place to explore, and there is still so much we haven’t seen. Enjoy your weekend!
A very beautiful park! You were a long way from home.
Yes, which makes it so interesting to visit, because the forest was different than the ones we have at home. Thanks for reading, John 🙂
🤙🏻☺️☺️☺️
Gorgeous, photos. Glad you love the campsite.
Thank you! It was a lovely place to explore! 🙂