South Mountains State Park RV & Campground Guide
North Carolina
If you are looking for a mountainous backcountry experience in North Carolina, South Mountains State Park, located about 19 miles south of Connelly Springs, may be the perfect place for you. Bring along your horse to ride on the 33 miles of bridle trails. A barn and plenty of trailer parking are available. A 17-mile loop trail makes the ideal spot to go mountain biking. There are also over 40 miles of hiking trails, including ones leading to an 80-foot waterfall. This state park is located 10 miles south of Enola, 26 miles southwest of Hickory, and 100 miles southwest of Winston-Salem.
Spring 47-67 F
Summer 51-74 F
Fall 48-73 F
Winter 28-50 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in South Mountains State Park
Get your RV packed and your sports equipment and animals ready to head to this state park. Rent an RV on RVshare.com if you do not already own one.
Indian Springs Campground
Enjoy the luxury of pull-thru sites at the gated Indian Springs Campground near Hickory, North Carolina. Most of the sites at this campground, where rates start at about $40 per night, are located near tall shade trees.
- Water hookup: Yes
- Electrical hookup: Yes
- Sewer hookup: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes; restrictions apply
- Other features: Catch-and-release pond, tubing, fire rings
Green Mountain Park
Green Mountain Park near Lenoir, North Carolina, covers 1,048 acres. During your stay, you can go swimming, play badminton and volleyball, or join in the fun of planned activities. Rates start at about $55 per night.
- Water hookup: Yes
- Electrical hookup: Yes
- Sewer hookup: Yes
- Wi-Fi: Yes
- Pet-friendly: Yes
- Other features: Volleyball, badminton, planned activities
What to Do at
South Mountains State Park
Inside South Mountains State Park
The rugged beauty found at South Mountains State Park is a great place to reconnect with nature. A museum with high-quality exhibits makes a great place to learn more about this area. Its mountain streams are excellent for trout fishing. Two picnic shelters provide great locations to host a family reunion or a group of friends. Mountain biking, hiking, and biking trails are all available.
Outside South Mountains State Park
You may want to spend some time exploring the towns around South Mountains State Park. There are fantastic places to shop and dine. There are also other attractions that you may want to visit in the general area.
Restaurants
JD's Smokehouse
The meats, like ribs, brisket, and chicken, at JD's Smokehouse are smoked slowly over a hardwood fire until they are perfect. Then, they are served with delicious sides like jalapeno cheese grits, fried okra, and red slaw. Of course, you will not want to leave without eating some of their banana pudding.
Type: Barbecue
Location: 500 Malcolm Blvd., Rutherford College, NC 28671
Granny’s Country Kitchen
Taste old-time North Carolina Foothills recipes prepared with tender care at Granny’s Country Kitchen. Diners have been flocking to this restaurant since 2003 for favorites like meatloaf, pot roast, and chicken fried steaks. Breakfast is served all day.
Type: American
Location: 3448 Miller Bridge Road, Icard, NC 28666
Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant
Try the wraps and the creative Mexican kabobs at Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant. You can also get more traditional options, including fajitas and enchiladas.
Type: Mexican
Location: 508 Main St E, Valdese, NC 28690
Myra's
Myra's serves great burgers and spectacular plate lunches. They often host car shows and live music events on Friday nights.
Type: American
Location: 212 Main St W, Valdese, NC 28690
Tex's Fish Camp
Calabash shrimp, flounder, and perch are a few of the fish specials served at Tex's Fish Camp & Family Dining. You can also get outstanding hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and other favorites at this small family-owned restaurant.
Type: Southern
Location: 3452 Tex's Fish Camp Rd, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Shopping
Cottage 321 Boutique
Find clothing for the females in your life at Cottage 321 Boutique. They also sell a few home décor items and fashion accessories. You can even pick up North Carolina State school souvenirs at this shop.
Location: 3729 Hickory Blvd, Hudson, NC 28638
Live Edge Living
Find handmade wooden furniture at Live Edge Living. Each piece is made from sustainable trees.
Location: 126 Bolick Chair Ln, Taylorsville, NC 28681
Unique World Gifts
Unique World Gifts offers a wide variety of fair-trade items from around the world, including jewelry, health and beauty products, musical instruments, and more.
Location: 2751 N Center St, Hickory, NC 28601
Springs Roads Gun Club
Find custom holsters at Springs Roads Gun Club, where you can also practice on the shooting range. They offer a wide range of shooting classes.
Location: 3462 Springs Road NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Full Circle Arts
For over 20 years, people have been finding artwork created by local artists at Full Circle Arts. They also teach a variety of art classes.
Location: 42-B Third Street NW, Hickory, NC 28602
Sightseeing
Pine Mountain Golf Course
Choose between the play-all-day or play-18-holes option at Pine Mountain Golf Course.
Location: 2961 Pine Mountain Dr, Connelly Springs, NC 28612
Lake Hickory
The 4,223-acre Lake Hickory was created in 1927 with the construction of the Oxford Dam. Consider fishing from a boat or along the lake's 105-mile shoreline.
Location: Hickory, NC
North Carolina Antique Trail
Shop at the 64 antique stores located along the North Carolina Antique Trail, which runs across the state. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you drive from one town to the next.
Location: North Carolina
Catawba Science Center
If you have children, they will love visiting the 35,000-square-foot Catawba Science Center. Visit multiple aquariums, participate in hands-on exhibitions, and watch a show in the planetarium.
Location: 243 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Hickory Museum of Art
The Hickory Museum of Art started in 1944. It has now amassed over 1,500 objects in its permanent collection, which includes Hudson River School paintings, Southern contemporary folk art, American pottery, paintings from North Carolina artists, and more.
Location: 248 3rd Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601
How to Get to
South Mountains State Park
It is easy to get to South Mountains State Park off Interstate 40. Get off the interstate at the Connelly Springs, North Carolina, exit. Take Rutherford College Road southwest until you come to Mineral Springs Mountain Road. Turn left and follow that road for about 5.4 miles. Then, turn left on NC 18 South. In about 2.1 miles, turn right on Sugar Loaf Road. After 4.2 miles turn left on Old North Carolina Highway 18. In 2.7 miles turn right on Ward Gap Road. Continue until you see South Mountains State Park Road. Follow it until you get to the park.
Entering South Mountains State Park
Hours vary throughout the year at South Mountains State Park. Call the park office for current hours.
Per passenger vehicle : $0
South Mountains State Park may be the perfect place to reconnect with nature on its hiking, biking, and horse trails. It is the largest state park in North Carolina, and you may want to visit often. If you have visited this park, then share your opinion on your social media account. Tag RVshare in your comments because we want to see what you have to say. You can also send your stories and photos by emailing them to [email protected]