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  • Connelly Springs, North Carolina

    Connelly Springs, North Carolina is a popular destination for activities and attractions. From scenic trails and breathtaking views to must-visit attractions, the area has plenty to offer. Popular trails include the Catawba River Trail, the South Mountains State Park, and the Fonta Flora State Trail. For outdoor adventures, visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting. Other attractions include the Hickory Nut Gorge, Chimney Rock State Park, and the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. All of these attractions provide a great way to explore the area and offer a unique experience for everyone.

    Top Spots in and near Connelly Springs

    • Hickory, North Carolina

      Geitner Rotary Park Loop

      5.0
      2.65 mi / 354 ft gain
      Geitner Rotary Park Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Hickory, North Carolina.
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    • Connelly Springs, North Carolina

      High Shoals Falls

      4.6
      2.47 mi / 617 ft gain
      From the Jacob Fork parking area in South Mountains State Park, it is a short 1 mile walk over the Jacob River to the High Shoals Waterfall (80'). If you choose to continue past the observation deck, High Shoals Falls Trail (blue circle) climbs up above the waterfall, crossing the river. Keep rig...
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    • Connelly Springs, North Carolina

      Sawtooth Campground via Chestnut Knob Trail

      5.0
      6.18 mi / 1299 ft gain
      This 6.2-mile total trip will take you through the highlights of South Mountains State Park with an overnight stay in one of the drier campsites.  OPTIONAL: You can get a warm-up in by starting with a 2.5-mile loop to High Shoal Falls that you can do without packs before picking up with a 3-mile...
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    • Connelly Springs, North Carolina

      High Shoals Waterfall and H.Q. Loop Trail

      4.83 mi / 1043 ft gain
      High Shoals Waterfall and H.Q. Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Connelly Springs, North Carolina.
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    • Connelly Springs, North Carolina

      Chestnut Knob via River Trail

      4.0
      5.9 mi / 1115 ft gain
      The journey begins at the Cicero Branch Parking Area along South Mountain Road, following Jacob Fork River Trail. The trail runs along the Fork before ascending Chestnut Knob. After completing the trail, you will find yourself on the highest peak of the South Mountain chain, where there are breat...
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    • Morganton, North Carolina

      Hike to Hawksbill Mountain

      5.0
      2.1 mi / 660 ft gain
      Starting at the Hawksbill Mountain Trailhead, which is clearly marked start hiking up! The trail starts out with some easy uphill switchbacks and leads you to the first lookout point. Enjoy sometime at the lookout point, but you'll want to keep going for a more incredible view. Keep hiking uphill...
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    • Nebo, North Carolina

      Explore Lake James State Park

      The park has about 15 miles of trails with different levels of difficulties . Hiked the Lake Channel Trail  along the lake with good views of the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Hiked the Mill's creek trail which is nicely shaded and offers good views of the lake and the Linville Gorge area. ...
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    • Morganton, North Carolina

      Camp on Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge

      5.0
      The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, also known as the Grand Canyon of the East, is one of the wildest, most rugged gorges in the eastern United States. It's also an outdoor paradise for hikers and backpackers. Camping here is always a treat and you are sure to enjoy your time spent in the gorge.D...
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    • Linville, North Carolina

      Shortoff Mountain Summit

      4.8
      4.64 mi / 1178 ft gain
      Start your hike from the Shortoff Mountain Trail off of Wolf Pit Road at the base of Lake James. From the summit there is a small grassy area off a side trail that provided awesome cliff side views of the Gorge and Linville River! You can setup after making the hour and a half trek (maybe just in...
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    • Morganton, North Carolina

      Camp at the Chimneys in the Linville Wilderness

      5.0
      1 mi / 138 ft gain
      The Chimneys area is a lesser-known camping destination within the Linville Wilderness. The Chimneys are a series of rock formations that rise above Linville Gorge and provide unobstructed panoramic views of the gorge and surrounding mountains. These rocks sit adjacent to Table Rock which hosts w...
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    • Morganton, North Carolina

      Hike to the Summit of Table Rock Mountain

      4.6
      2.2 mi / 572 ft gain
      Off of Highway 181, the trailhead is very clearly marked with a large parking lot. Although the trail is fairly short, make sure you have your footing, because the trail does switch back and forth in addition to gaining elevation -- it's pretty steep in some places! It's all worth it when you get...
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    • Morganton, North Carolina

      Little Table Rock Trail

      5.0
      2.73 mi / 1148 ft gain
      Little Table Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Morganton, North Carolina.
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    • Morganton, North Carolina

      Hawksbill Mountain Trail

      4.9
      1.87 mi / 633 ft gain
      Hidden far above the beautiful Linville Gorge stands Hawksbill Mountain, among many other fantastic hikes. The roughly 1.7 mile hike from the dusty gravel parking lot is steep but worth every step. It took me about an hour to conquer with a few water bottle-guzzling stops. At the top, you are al...
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    • Morganton, North Carolina

      Photograph Hawksbill Mountain at Sunrise or Sunset

      5.0
      1.5 mi / 860 ft gain
      The trail to the summit of Hawksbill begins on an unpaved road for the Pigsah National Forest. In about a half a mile the trail turns left just before reaching the Jonas Ridge Trail. This turn is an clearly marked turn with a sign for "Hawksbill Summit". The trail then becomes steeper and rocki...
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    • Marion, North Carolina

      Camp in the Linville Gorge via the Pinch In Trail

      1.5 mi
      We are pretty notorious for passing up a good campsite but we are learning our lessons. We got a late but interesting start on Pinch-In trail. We climbed down a steep 600+ feet after passing this ledge only to climb right back to it a third of a mile in. If we come up to an awesome spot, we somet...
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    • Marion, North Carolina

      Hike the Rock Jock Trail

      6 mi / 700 ft gain
      One of the first things I noticed when researching this hike was the conflicting information regarding finding the trail head, length of the hike, and the hike's correct route. Hopefully, as of September 2017, this report will contain the most up-to-date information currently available. To find t...
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    Camping and Lodging in Connelly Springs

    Linville Falls Campground
    Newland, North Carolina

    Linville Falls Campground

    Boomer Park Shelter
    Boomer, North Carolina

    Boomer Park Shelter

    Warrior Creek
    Ferguson, North Carolina

    Warrior Creek

    Keowee Park Shelter
    Boomer, North Carolina

    Keowee Park Shelter

    Bandits Roost
    Wilkesboro, North Carolina

    Bandits Roost

    Julian Price Campground
    Blue Ridge Parkway

    Julian Price Campground

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Connelly Springs

    3 Outdoor adventure road trips in North Carolina

    3 Outdoor adventure road trips in North Carolina

    The Outbound Collective

    A cyclist's guide to three days in Lake Norman, NC

    A cyclist's guide to three days in Lake Norman, NC

    Trevor Bamford

    A photographer's road trip guide to the North Carolina mountains

    A photographer's road trip guide to the North Carolina mountains

    Mallory Fountain