Waterfall Hero Hikes: Morrow Mountain State Park

Morrow Mountain State Park is a 4742-acre state park northeast of Charlotte in Stanly County. The closest town is Albemarle. The park is located within the Uwharrie Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the United States. Over millions of years, the once mighty range has been eroded down by the elements such that all that remains are more hills than mountains. There are four peaks within the park - Morrow, Sugarloaf, Hattaway, and Fall, with Morrow Mountain being the highest at 936 feet.

Ancient artifacts indicate that Native Americans were present in the area 10,000 years before Europeans. The Europeans colonized along the Pee Dee River in the 1700s, and John Kirk established a ferry across the river in 1780. In 1823, Dr. Francis Kron emigrated from Prussia to the US and established the first medical practice in the southern Piedmont of North Carolina. Dr. Kron's homestead and a reconstructed home are located in the park and allow a glimpse into the history of the region. The park was developed in the 1930s as residents wanted a park in the area and much of the land for the park was donated by citizens of Stanly County. Morrow Mountain is named for one such citizen, James McKnight Morrow, who donated more than 1000 acres to the park.

Contact Information:

49104 Morrow Mountain Road

Albemarle, NC 28001

Phone: (704) 982-4402

Email: morrow.mountain@ncdenr.gov

GPS Coordinates: 35.373724, -80.073477

Directions:

From I-40 in Greensboro, take US-220/I-73/I-74 south, then exit onto NC-24 west. Before reaching Albemarle, turn right on Valley Drive and head north approximately three miles. Turn right onto Morrow Mountain Road to enter the park. Alternatively, from I-85 near High Point, take NC-109 south and merge onto NC-49 south. After about eight miles, turn left onto NC-8 south and then left onto NC-740 in New London. Turn left onto Morrow Mountain Road to enter the park after about eight miles. From Charlotte, take NC-24 east to NC-740 and turn right on Morrow Mountain road after about three miles.

Map:

Trails:

With more than 30 miles of trails, Morrow Mountain State Park is a great place for hiking.

Bridle Trail Long Loop:

Length: 9.3 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Red Circle

The Bridle Long Loop makes a 9-mile loop around the park, connecting with the Bridle Short and Middle loops. Duck Blind Cove Spur splits off near the southeast corner and leads out to the lake.

Bridle Trail Middle Loop:

Length: 5.5 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Blue Circle

The Bridle Middle Loop makes a loop in the southeast portion of the park. Mountain Creek Spur leads out to where Mountain Creek flows into Lake Tillery.

Bridle Trail Short Loop:

Length: 3.9 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: White Circle

Bridle Short Loop makes a loop around Morrow Mountain, following the Long and Middle loops for a ways.

Duck Blind Cove Spur:

Length: 0.4 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Easy

Blaze: Red Circle

Duck Blind Cove Spur splits from Bridle Long Loop and leads out to a view of the lake.

Morrow Mountain Trail:

Length: 2.6 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Blue Triangle

The Morrow Mountain Trail runs from the Laurel Trail loop and runs with the Sugarloaf Mountain Trail for a while before splitting, then heading up Morrow Mountain, a steep climb. At the top it meets the Mountain Loop Trail.

Mountain Creek Spur:

Length: 0.3 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Easy

Blaze: Blue Circle

Mountain Creek Spur splits off from Bridle Middle Loop and leads to the confluence of Mountain Creek with Lake Tillery.

Mountain Loop Trail:

Length: 0.8 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Easy

Blaze: Red Square

The Mountain Loop circles the top of Morrow Mountain and crosses the Overlook Picnic area. From the trail, there are breaks in the canopy allowing for views of surrounding countryside.

Rocks Trail:

Length: 1.3 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Blue Square

Rocks Trail starts from the Family Campground and runs concurrently with Bridle Long Loop for a ways. After splitting, Rocks Trail ends at a rock outcrop overlooking Pee Dee River.

Sugarloaf Mountain Trail:

Length: 2.8 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Strenuous

Blaze: Orange Diamond

The Sugarloaf Mountain Trail starts at the Horse Trailer parking lot and forms a loop going up and down Sugarloaf Mountain. Going clockwise around the loop, there is a gradual ascent up the mountain, followed by a steep (500 feet in 1/4 mile) descent. Note that going in the opposite direction, there is a steep climb and gradual descent. At the bottom, the trail runs with the Morrow Mountain Trail before splitting to go back to the parking lot.

Points of Interest:

Kron Homestead:

Doctor Francis Kron was one of the first trained doctors in the area, who built his homestead along the Fayetteville-Salisbury Road in what is now the park. Restored buildings from Dr. Kron's homestead provide visitors a glimpse into the history of Stanly County.