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North Carolina
25

North Carolina State Parks

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USA Parks
North Carolina
Heartland - Central Region
Morrow Mountain State Park
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Morrow Mountain State Park I See You © Lisa W Hedgecock
Another example of how tame and curious the local deer population is. I was able to take pictures from my car while the deer seemed to pose.
Morrow Mountain State Park Heres Looking at You © Lisa W Hedgecock
During my first trip to Morrow Mountain State Park, I was amazed at how calm and unfazed the deer were when they crossed the road and stood in the woods watching me as I watched them.
Morrow Mountain State Park Peeking © Lisa W Hedgecock
This little deer walked right up to the passenger side of my car and watched me as if to say Can I have a ride
Morrow Mountain State Park Fall Mountain Trail © Henry Adrian Mills
Morrow Mountain State Park Grave site by trail © Henry Adrian Mills
Grave of Rev. William McGregor 1734-1804 Located on Fall Mountain Trail
Morrow Mountain State Park View from the Top © Jim Oakley
Morrow Mountain State Park Lake Tillery © Jim Oakley
The Boathouse
Morrow Mountain State Park Lake Tillery © Jim Oakley
Observation Deck
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MORROW MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
MORROW MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
49104 Morrow Mountain Road
Albemarle, North Carolina   28001

Phone: 704-982-4402
Reservations: 877-722-6762
Email: park email button icon
Enjoy the gifts of nature surrounded by the remnants of a once mighty range of peaks. Upon first encounter, the Uwharrie Mountains may seem like a mountainous mirage. These steep, rugged hills?unusual topography for the area?form a stark contrast with the rolling countryside of the piedmont plateau.

Recreation is plentiful in and around the waters of Lake Tillery and the Pee Dee River. Fishing, boating and swimming are popular pastimes. Nature lovers can pick from miles of trails to travel on foot or horseback. And for those who want to stay and take it all in, cabins and camping are available. There's really only one word to describe Morrow Mountain State Park: variety. Use the family car or RV, horseback or canoe, put on a pair of hiking boots or dip bare feet in the river, or bait your favorite fishing pole?a visit to Morrow Mountain lets you choose your kind of adventure.

Park hours:

November-February, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

March and October, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

April, May, September, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

June-August, 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day



Park office hours:

8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays

Closed state holidays
Nature of the Area
Rangers hold regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs about Morrow Mountain State Park.

To arrange a special exploration of Morrow Mountain State Park for your group or class, contact the park office.

Educational materials about Morrow Mountain State Park have been developed for grades 5-7 and are correlated to North Carolina's competency-based curriculum in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language arts. The Morrow Mountain program introduces students to the basic geologic processes of the Uwharrie Mountains. Accompanying the program is a teacher's booklet and workshop, free of charge to educators.
History of the Area
The discovery of artifacts in the area attests to the presence of Native Americans 10,000 years before European settlement. European colonization began along the banks of the Pee Dee River in the 1700s. In 1780, John Kirk, a Scotch-Irish settler, established a public ferry, linking the area to a major roadway. Local legends recount the passage of noted people, including Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Jefferson Davis.

Development of the park began in the 1930s through the efforts of a local committee interested in establishing a state park in the area. By 1937, more than 3,000 acres of land had been acquired, much of it donated by the citizens of Stanly County. The park was opened to the public in the summer of 1939.

Early development of park property was a cooperative effort between state and federal governments. Work crews of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Work Projects Administration constructed many of the facilities from 1937 to 1942. Additional facilities were added with state funds in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, the park covers 4,742 acres.

The 1800s are still alive at Morrow Mountain. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the homestead of Dr. Francis Kron, which is located at the foot of Fall Mountain. Dr. Kron, who was born in Prussia and emigrated to America in 1823, is recognized as the first medical doctor to settle and practice medicine in the southern piedmont of North Carolina. Dr. Kron traveled long distances to care for those in the area, practicing medicine until after the age of 80. A noted horticulturist, he was also actively involved in education. His home, doctor's office and infirmary, and greenhouse were reconstructed in the 1960s and appear today much as they did in 1870.
Cabins
Vacation cabins: Six rustic family vacation cabins offer the opportunity to get away from it all. Located in a wooded section of the park, each cabin has a bathroom, living room, fireplace, kitchen with dining space and two bedrooms. The fully-equipped cabins accommodate up to six people each. One cabin is fully accessible. During the summer months, cabins must be rented by the week; during the spring and fall, weekend rentals are accepted for a minimum of two nights. For reservations and fee information, contact the park office. Pets are not allowed in the cabins. Click here to download the cabin reservation form and additional information as a PDF file. Click here to download a cabin reservation form and additional information as an HTML document.
Camping
Family camping: Choose from 106 campsites for tents and RVs. Each site in the family campground is equipped with a picnic table and grill. Drinking water and modern restrooms with showers are conveniently located. There are no hookups for RVs, but a dump station is provided. Camp Loop C offers six accessible campsites and a fully accessible shower house. Campsites are available on a first-come basis and a modest fee is charged for each site. A maximum of six people are allowed to stay on each campsite. An amphitheater, where interpretive programs are often held, is located near the campground.

Primitive camping: Backpack into the woods for camping in a wilderness setting. The primitive campground is a two-mile hike from the park office. A pit toilet is provided in the camping area, but drinking water and all other supplies must be carried to the site. Fires are not permitted. A backpack camping permit is required and may be obtained from park staff. All trash must be packed out. Click here to learn more about backpack camping regulations and to download a backpack camping application.

Group camping: The group tent camping area is located near the river and can be reached by a gravel loop road. Six sites, each with picnic tables and a fire circle and grill, provide a wilderness camping experience for organized groups. Drinking water and an accessible shower house are centrally located. Campsite #4 is fully accessible. Reservations are required for use of the area and a modest fee is charged. Click here for more information about group camping and for the campsite rules. Click here for the group camping reservation form.

Swimming
A dip in the swimming pool is the perfect way to cool off after a long hike. Open June through Labor Day, all swimming facilities are accessible for persons with disabilities. The pool is served by a stone bathhouse built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Project Administration. The facility includes restrooms, changing rooms and showers. Snacks and cold drinks are also available. Kids will enjoy playing in the adjacent children's pool. A modest fee is charged for entrance to the pool area.
Boating
A boat ramp at the end of the park road will put you on the water. A small area is available for trailer parking.

For those without boats, a paved parking lot to the left of the launch by the boathouse provides a base from which to enjoy the surrounding facilities. Rowboats and canoes may be rented at the boathouse located at the end of the parking area. Available daily from June through Labor Day and weekends in April, May, September and October, small vessels are the perfect mode of transportation on the tranquil waters of the Pee Dee River and Lake Tillery.
Fishing
Cast your line on Lake Tillery from our accessible pier or fish from the river banks. Game fish include largemouth bass, striped bass, white bass, crappie, perch, bluegill and catfish. A North Carolina fishing license is required.


Location
Morrow Mountain State Park is located near Albemarle, Asheboro and Salisbury

Picnicking
Have lunch on the summit of Morrow Mountain where one of the park's two picnic areas is located. A small, four-table shelter with a wonderful panoramic view of Lake Tillery and the Uwharrie Mountains is available, and restrooms are nearby.

Swimmers and larger groups may choose to use the picnic area near the pool. This area offers a six-table shelter built by the Works Progress Administration. The stone that makes this shelter was taken from a nearby quarry. The area also offers a fully accessible, ten-table shelter that has wheelchair access to the restrooms.

Single tables and multiple tables, along with grills, are available in both picnic areas. Picnic shelters may be reserved for a fee on a daily basis. Shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis when they are not reserved. Contact the park office for more information or to request a reservation form.
Bicycling
For cycling enthusiasts, the park offers a challenging 4.1-mile bike loop with steep inclines and sharp turns.

Mountain bikers should be aware that this trail is shared with hikers; caution must always be exercised.

The terrain can get rough in places so it's recommended to have good control over your bicycle at all times.

Riding after dark isn't allowed due to safety concerns - plan accordingly for daylight hours only.

Helmets are mandatory while biking within the park boundaries as per state law regulations.

It's important not just for personal safety but also respecting wildlife habitats by sticking strictly on designated trails.
Birding
The park is home to a variety of bird species, making it ideal for birdwatching. There are several trails and overlooks where visitors can spot birds like warblers, vireos, orioles and hawks. The Lake Tillery area attracts waterfowl such as ducks and herons. Birders may also participate in the annual Christmas Bird Count event held within the park.
Area Attractions
Exhibit hall and historical site:

Explore the history of Morrow Mountain. The park offers an exhibit hall and a historical site. The exhibit hall is located in a building near the park office and is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. The hall includes exhibits about Native Americans, plant and animal communities, early explorers, and rocks and minerals.

Visit the homestead of a 19th-century doctor, Dr. Francis Kron, the first physician in the area. His home, doctor's office and infirmary, and greenhouse were reconstructed in the 1960s and appear today much as they did in 1870. The grounds are open during park hours and are a short drive from the park office.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
November 16 Our Favorite Place by debjd76
park review stars; one to five We have been visiting this park for almost 30 years. For the past 5 years we have taken our grandsons and booked cabin #2. The wildlife and hiking is wonderful. Look forward to this trip every year. WONDERFUL!!
July 24 Best all around park by Blueridgebiker
park review stars; one to five Morrow Mtn. has always been my favorite. My parents took me there as a child to go swimming in the pool, and it was cold. very refreshing. Now I ride my motocycle to the park every chance I get. Only a hour and 15 minutes from home. Nice ride through Badin Lake area. Morrow mtn views are spectacular and alot closer than my other favorite place Blue Ridge Parkway. Happy 75 th BPW.
April 4 who could ask for anything more? by a friend of the park
park review stars; one to five This wonderful park has all that any outdoor person could ask for. Great gentle or strenuous trails for hiking, beautiful scenery, wildflowers, laurels, river views, old homesteads, but most of all, a very wonderful, helpful staff.
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Area Campgrounds
Norwood Camping Resort
1216 Berry Hill Drive
Norwood, NC
704-474-3800
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
Morrow Mountain State Park is located in Stanly County, six miles east of Albemarle, and is accessible from NC highways 24/27, 73 and 740.

From I-40 in Greensboro, take US 220 South (I-73/I-74). Turn right on NC 24, traveling west toward Albemarle. About six miles from Albemarle, turn right on Valley Drive and travel approximately three miles. Turn right on Morrow Mountain Road, which leads into the park.

From US 74 in Rockingham, take US 220 North (I-73/I-74. Turn left on NC 24, traveling west toward Albemarle. About six miles from Albemarle, turn right on Valley Drive and travel approximately three miles. Turn right on Morrow Mountain Road, which leads into the park.

From I-85 near High Point, take NC 109 south, veering right on NC 109/NC24/NC 27 in Troy. Take NC 24 west toward Albemarle. About six miles from Albemarle, turn right on Valley Drive and travel approximately three miles. Turn right on Morrow Mountain Road, which leads into the park.

From Charlotte, take NC 24 east and veer right on NC 740. After about six miles, turn right on Morrow Mountain Road, which leads into the park.

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North Carolina
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North Carolina State Parks

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