One of the most rugged state parks in the state, South Mountains State Park is the ideal place to go if you’re looking for some adventure as you escape the busy-bee city life. Located 65 miles from Charlotte, South Mountains State Park features a wide variety of terrains and features, from an 80 foot waterfall to 3,000 feet-high elevations and over 40 miles of hiking and biking trails.
There is no dearth of activities here for sure. Besides the hiking and biking trails, there is a separate 17-mile-long mountain biking loop. It is, however, not recommended for beginners and amateurs. For those who simply wish to camp, there are over twenty different backpacking campsites at six different locations, as well as several drive-to campsites near the Jacob Fork River. While the park has no lake, the river’s tributaries have enough room to go fishing, albeit with a license. The park also has a museum-like visitor center which shows beautiful as well as informative exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the state park.