Lake Gaston Camping

Crowders continues to draw crowds: Advocates say Crowders Mountain is a ...

A shining gem of the region, it lures hundreds of thousands of people a year to its pristine wooded environment, sheer rock cliffs and two distinctive peaks.

Even at its most passive, it draws interest from curious motorists, who steal glances at its natural beauty as they drive up and down I-85 and U.S. 74 on both sides of the Cleveland-Gaston county line.

More than 37 years have passed since Crowders Mountain State Park was officially brought into North Carolina’s state park system. More and more people are discovering it as the Charlotte area continues to grow. But it isn’t free from threats.

Increases in foot traffic will lead to more problems with pollution and wear and tear on the park’s verdant surroundings. Developers may ponder ways of capitalizing on the mountain’s proximity by creating subdivisions and commercial strips in its shadow.

The challenge over the next decade and beyond, officials say, will be to ensure the park remains a place that area residents can be proud of. Accomplishing that will take the work of not only grassroots volunteers, but local governments that benefit from what the remnants of an ancient mountain range have to offer.

Local landmark

More dramatic vistas await those willing to drive a bit farther into the western North Carolina mountains. But the appeal of Crowders Mountain State Park is its proximity to such a highly populated region.

“Within a one-hour drive, it gives people in the Charlotte area a chance to get to a pretty remote environment and commune with nature on a consistent basis,” said Larry Hyde, who has served as the park’s superintendent since early 2006. “There are folks who come out here and make this park a part of their regular fitness routine.”

The park’s highest points rise more than 800 feet above the surrounding countryside. Crowders Mountain stretches to 1,625 feet, and features vertical rock cliffs that range from 100 to 150 feet high. A short raptor’s flight away to the southwest sits Kings Pinnacle, which at 1,705 feet is the highest point in Gaston County. Both offer dramatic views of more than 25 miles.

The park offers miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, picnicking and camping spots. Visitors may canoe or fish in a nine-acre lake, and educational events abound throughout the year.

Buffers from growth

Crowders Mountain has faced potential threats from nearby development in recent years, though park advocates have worked to raise awareness about the potential negative impacts.

GhostLover: Camping at Lake Gaston

&Nbsp;                 OK, a couple years ago my sister,my grandparents and I went to Lake Gaston. We go every year but this one year we got a different cabin then we usually do. Every time there's one or two weird things that happen like voices coming from the closet or random huge footprints when we got there but this one year was very different.                  The first day we went out on the boat I kept on seeing this guy at the front of the boat. When we would swim in the lake I'd feel something tugging at my life jacket. Also when I'd look at the water I'd see this same face. On the tube I'd look back and I would see a guy completely made of water.               That night I looked out the window at 12:00 at night. There were many things that I could see straight through. They were all around a huge fire. One extremely tall one was chanting something that sounded like a different language. It really freaked me out. It seemed like it was a curse. The same things kept happening all throughout the week I was preety much the only one who noticed all of it.

Fishing North Carolina

Woodall's campground directory

Rand McNally campground & trailer park directory, National

The Virginia Handbook

Woodall's Campground Directory 1992, North American Edition