No matter your location in the Tar Heel State, if you’re seeking an outdoorsy getaway for a weekend then a trip to North Carolina’s largest state park is a fantastic choice. For starters, it’s centrally located in the state’s underrated Piedmont region — an area often overlooked in favor of the coast or the Blue Ridge Mountains. Additionally, the Piedmont contains one of the most rugged parts of the state, an offshoot remnant of the Appalachian Mountains; a portion that is now stranded in the middle of the state and whittled down considerably due to erosion that has left the South Mountains range isolated from the Appalachians with the expansive Catawba River valley stretching out between them.

If you didn't know you could spend a weekend in the rugged mountains of North Carolina just by driving to the central part of the state, then you're sure to be pleasantly surprised by the South Mountains.
TripAdvisor/jmpncsu
Blanketed in forests, massive boulders, cliffs, and more, the South Mountains offer just as much high adventure as their cousins in the western part of the state.
Google/Dj Em 502 Barrera
Territorially, the South Mountains cover a space of about 100,000 acres, much of it entirely undeveloped.
Nestled among that vast acreage is North Carolina's largest state park, named South Mountains State Park. At a little more than 20,000 acres, this state park is enormous and offers so much in the way of outdoor adventure.
Google/Rick Nobers

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The park's most sought-after experience, High Shoals waterfall, is found along a 4.7-mile loop trail, just one of the park's 22 trails that range in difficulty from easy to strenuous.
AllTrails/Rich Hammond
Visitors here even get the opportunity to hike right over a waterfall!
Google/norys 90
Other fun activities include fishing, biking, picnicking, and horseback riding (bring your own horse).
Google/Hans Enders
And of course, what would the ultimate rugged wilderness be without camping opportunities? Eighteen campsites are carved into the flora to allow for RVs, tents, and trailers — and hot showers, a bathhouse, and drinking water are all nearby.
Google/Ryan Barber
If you prefer something a little more remote, 24 backpacking tent sites are located within the park, too.

We’re not sure why you’d ever want to leave this mountain paradise once you arrive, but in the event you want to explore, there are restaurants in virtually every direction within about 30 minutes from the state park. Learn more about South Mountains State Park, make a camping reservation, and check out this underrated and rugged part of the state soon!

Have you already visited North Carolina’s largest state park? We’d love to hear your two-thumbs-up review! Just leave it below in the comments.

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South Mountains State Park, 3001 S Mountain Park, Connelly Springs, NC 28612, USA