North Carolina State Parks

Morrow Mountain

49104 Morrow Mountain Road, Albemarle, NC 28001 · (704) 982-4402 · E-mail

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.

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.

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.

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.

Overnight facilities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trails

The beauty and diversity of Morrow Mountain State Park are best seen from one of the park's many trails. Choose from a short, self-guiding nature trail or a more extensive hike into the woodlands. Up mountain slopes, through hardwood forests and along gentle streams, more than 15 miles of hiking trails wind through Morrow Mountain State Park. A hike to the summit of Morrow Mountain is particularly rewarding as rolling hills, lush green farmlands and the curving river can be seen stretching out in the distance.

All hiking trails are blazed. Switchbacks or sharp changes in trail direction are denoted by double-blazing. See the trail legend on the map for distance and difficulty.

Horseback riding: Wander through forests, follow beautiful Mountain Creek to the river or ride the loop around the base of Morrow Mountain. Equestrians may enjoy the park from 16 miles of bridle trails.

Bridle trails are marked with red blazes. Trail heads and trailer parking are located near the park entrance. There are no facilities for camping with horses.

All visitors with horses must be able to provide proof of a negative equine infectious anemia (Coggins) test while visiting North Carolina State Parks.

For more information visit: North Carolina State Parks - Morrow Mountain State Park