Crowders Mountain State Park — Attraction in Gastonia

Very beautiful once you reach the top...IF you reach the top! This is a VERY strenuous hike all the way to the top with not enough warning at the bottom Linwood Rd Access. PLEASE TAKE WARNING to be hydrated before walking, take water or sports drink with you. I would strongly suggest (especially for people over 40) take a walking stick, wear sturdy hiking shoes and do not walk alone. I went with my husband and I'm 47, in pretty great shape/health (5'8" and 134 lbs) and drank a Liquid IV before starting the hike, but was grossly underestimating the extent of the hike and like most people, thought it couldn't be too bad since it's less than a mile. There were several times I pondered turning around, but people coming down were saying it was worth the hike, so I pushed through, taking small breaks along the way. After we reached the steps, we thought WHEW, we are ALMOST THERE....NOT! The hundreds of steps kept going and winding around and finally when we could see the lookout sign, we knew we were getting close to the top, but my body couldn't take it anymore. I started feeling very bad and feeling a faint coming. I sat down on the rock to rest and fainted. Luckily, my husband caught me before my head hit the rock and there was two sweet ladies and a very prepared couple that were coming down just as I fainted. Since it was the first time I've fainted in front of my husband, he had no idea what to do. Those kind strangers helped out so much (my angels at the right time!) They helped lift and elevate my legs and once I was able to try to sit up, another lady held up my hair and fanned fresh air on the back of my neck. The couple gave me a water and dropped an electrolyte tablet in. After they knew I was okay, they continued on and I regained my strength in about 15 minutes and continued up the last of the 25-30 steps. It was very breathtaking and lots of people enjoying the view, but not too crowded. They also offer rock climbing and decent off the pinnacle rock. Was it worth it? Let's just say, my husband and I will not be going back, we are just too old for it. If I were in my 20's - 30's, for sure I would go back, especially to enjoy it in the Fall. I will stick with the other access (Sparrow Springs Rd) easy lake trail. I didn't take my phone and did not get photos of this area, but took photos of the park map at the other entrance a few months back along with photos of...

Good place, multiple walking trails with different difficulty levels.

If you want to end your trail with a spectacular view, go for Pinnacle trail, Rocktrail or tower trail overlook point. We also did the Rocktop trail - it’s pretty nice, strenuous and a really good experience.

Update 4/13: Covered the tower trail, crowders trail and backside trail. Tower trail has a beautiful view to offer too. Way from tower trail to backside trail is all steps and strenuous. Coming up from backside trail would be hard, we chose to come up from the rocktop trail and join the tower trail. Enjoy the view and use backside trail to go down and join crowders trail to take reach back to the visitor center. Attached videos of rocktop trail path and view of tower trail overlook point on the visitor center review

Planning to add detailed videos on insta, follow the_mallu_travelvlog

Update 4/20: Start from the Visitor Center, there are multiple trails once you start. Walk a little on the trail and you will have paths splitting for various trails. The rocktop, tower view, backside and crowders is on the right and is strenuous, you will also cross the road on your way.

The pinnacle, camping ground and other ones are on the left and are a...

Crowders Mountain State Park is an incredible destination for anyone who loves the outdoors, especially hiking. The trails here are well-marked, beautifully maintained, and offer a variety of difficulty levels, making the park enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned hikers.

The hike up to Crowders Mountain is rewarding from start to finish. The climb can be challenging in spots, but the views at the summit are absolutely breathtaking—panoramic overlooks where you can see rolling hills, Charlotte’s skyline in the distance, and endless stretches of nature. The Pinnacle Trail is another gem, offering a slightly less crowded but equally stunning perspective.

What really sets this park apart is the balance it strikes between accessibility and adventure. You can choose a shorter, more moderate hike for a relaxing day trip, or tackle the longer, steeper trails if you’re up for a workout. Along the way, you’ll find peaceful wooded sections, rocky outcroppings, and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife.

Crowders Mountain is a must-visit for hikers in the region. Whether you’re looking for a challenging climb, a family-friendly hike, or just a beautiful place to connect with nature, this...