Situated south of Badin Lake and north of Lake Tillery, Morrow Mountain serves as the western gateway to the Uwharrie National Forest. Once standing at 20,000 feet in elevation, Morrow Mountain is part of the oldest mountain range in North America, and as such has been eroded to a current elevation of less than 1,000 feet. Even so, the summit is one of the highest points in the Uwharrie Mountains, and serves as an overlook for the Yadkin & Pee Dee Rivers which run to the east.
Morrow Mountain was established in 1935 as the third official North Carolina State Park. Many park buildings are constructed from stones that were pulled from the mountain itself when the site was used for mining prior to becoming dedicated for public access. The park is fewer than 50 miles from center-city Charlotte, and along with the rest of the Uwharrie Mountain range is a lesser known gem hidden in the heart of the North Carolina Piedmont.
Whether it’s hiking, camping, paddling, fishing, horseback riding, swimming or just taking in scenery on one of the highest points in the area, Morrow Mountain has a variety of outdoor opportunities. There are 106 sites for tents, trailers, and RVs, as well as vacation cabins for rent and options for remote backpack camping. Morrow Mountain is also one of the most hiked state parks in North Carolina, with 32 miles of trail available.
Here are some of our favorite routes:
Three Rivers Nature Trail
EASY: Three Rivers Nature Trail is a loop trail that is just under a mile in length. This trail traverses floodplain and ridgetop, offering an excellent introduction to the park’s diverse habitats and landforms. Wildflowers can be seen along the trail, depending upon season.
Trailhead location: Boathouse parking area.
Blaze: Follow Blue Hexagons ⬢
Fall Mountain Trail
MODERATE: Fall Mountain Trail is a 4.1 mile loop, and is a beautiful trail that follows Lake Tillery for a ways and then climbs Fall Mountain, where views of the surrounding mountains and lakes are outstanding. The trail offers great views of the lake and surrounding countryside when the leaves are off the trees. Bald eagles and ospreys are sometimes seen along the river.
Trailhead location: Located at the boathouse parking area adjacent to Lake Tillery and the public boat launch.
Blaze: Follow Orange Triangles ▲
Bridle Trail – Long Loop
MODERATE: Bridle Trail – Long Loop is a 9.3 mile trail and a great option for someone looking to spend the better part of a day hiking and exploring the park’s topography. There is also a Middle Loop and Short Loop trail that extend from the same parking area for those more pressed for time.
Trailhead location: Bridle Trail parking area, approximately half a mile from the park entrance.
Blaze: Follow Blue Circles ●
Hattaway Mountain Trail
STRENUOUS: Hattaway Mountain Trail is a steep 2 mile loop trail that goes about two tenths of a mile before hikers may choose one of two directions. Turning left leads to an immediate climb up Hattaway, a half-mile uphill trek. After reaching the summit, the trail descends to the ridge before rolling up and down the Uwharrie hills for nearly a mile. Some of the best autumn views can be seen along the trail, as well as glimpses of one of the parks many quartz veins.
Trailhead location – Begins in the large parking area below the Morrow Mountain pool house.
Blaze: Follow Orange Squares ■
Sugarloaf Trail
STRENUOUS: Sugarloaf Trail is a 2.8 mile long loop that offers a rocky climb up the park’s second highest peak at 858 feet above sea level. At the top, there are good views of the river and surrounding lands.
Trailhead location – Begins across from the restroom building at the Bridle Trail parking area, about half a mile from the park entrance.
Blaze: Follow Orange Diamonds ◆
Morrow Mountain address: 49104 Morrow Mountain Rd, Albemarle, NC 28001
Three Rivers Land Trust is a conservation non-profit based in Salisbury, North Carolina, with a mission to protect and conserve land, natural areas, rural landscapes, family farms, and historic places within North Carolina’s heartland. We are the largest conservation group in the Piedmont and Sandhills, and operate within 15 counties in central North Carolina. Over the course of the Land Trust’s operations, we have had heavy involvement with the Uwharrie National Forest area, and more specifically Morrow Mountain. As an organization, we hold a longstanding commitment to expanding public access.
The Land Trust has donated 75 acres to Morrow Mountain over the past 4 years, including 25 acres of mature hardwood forest that was donated last year along Mountain Creek. Additionally, we are currently working on our Morrow Mountain Falls project, with an aspirational goal of conserving the 233 acres that would serve to connect the town of Badin to Morrow Mountain State Park.
For more information on recreational opportunities and our work with local conservation, please visit threeriverslandtrust.org.