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Crowders Mountain State Park - Linwood Road Access
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,335 Google reviews · Running trail in Gastonia, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- 1 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Crowders Mountain State Park - Linwood Road Access' own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Well-maintained state park with challenging trails, plus mountain views.
What runners say about Crowders Mountain State Park - Linwood Road Access
“The stairs are very steep but beautiful views was the reward.”
“With 11 different, well-marked trails, of varying intensities-this State Park is one you definitely don't want to miss!”
“And I would also like to suggest updating the maps so that new hikers like myself would know to take the easy trails 1st.”
This was my first time hiking here and it was fun. The view at the top of the mountain was well worth the hike. But I would suggest that the park make the color trail marker’s bigger and put that the markers are on the trees backseat I was very lost trying to find the markers because I didn’t know to look on the trees.
The weather was just about perfect at 70 degrees. Anything more, it would have been too warm. You have two options navigating the trail as it is a loop. You can choose to hit the stairs first, which means getting the hard part out of the way.
If you are ever within 500 miles of this place GO. GO. GO. It is one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. The hike is very easy, it's uphill, but you can surely find a good walking stick. And no matter what, it is worth it.
Located about 30 min from Charlotte NC, this is the closest mountain hike in the area. With 11 different, well-marked trails, of varying intensities-this State Park is one you definitely don't want to miss!
Trail conditions & character
“The views along the hike aren’t necessarily grand, but it feels good to be working out in nature with the sound of the leaves blowing in the wind.”
“It's a challenging hike as it's a steady, healthy incline 3/4 of the way and ends in a set of 330 stairs to the top.”
“The hike starts from the parking area(Google Maps location is accurate), where there are sufficient parking spots.”
“With 11 different, well-marked trails, of varying intensities-this State Park is one you definitely don't want to miss!”
“At the start of the hike near the parking area, there are restrooms and a small office.”
“Family and pet friendly park with other activities such as camping and orienteering too.”
“They make a loop, connect to other trails, or can just do an out and back.”
Plan your run at Crowders Mountain State Park - Linwood Road Access
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- Loop distance1 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitencparks.gov
- Phone+1 704-853-5375
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–8 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–8 pm |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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