Just a scant 10 minutes from Albemarle, you can find yourselves transported to another place and another time. Welcome to Morrow Mountain. Come and enjoy this spectacular state park where you can experience life pretty much as the natives once found it.
The mountain ranges here is amongst the oldest mountain ranges in the eastern part of the country. The forces that drove these mountains began almost a million years ago and after years of erosion have reduced the Uwharrie range to less than 1,000 feet. During the 1930s the state began development on the park and by 1937 had over 3,000 acres of land. In 1939 the park was finally opened to the public as a NC state park. Over the years development was added and by the 1960s the land grew to encompass more than 4,742 acres.
Today’s modern visors can find a variety of options here in the park. There are more than 15 miles of well marked trails throughout the area. You can hike the easy .6-mile Laurel trail to the 9.3-mile Long Loop. There are also three bridle trails. During the summer months, park rangers conduct a number of nature classes for all ages. Pets are permitted on a leash.
Fishing is permitted in Lake Tillery with a permit. From June through Labor Day you can beat the summer heat with a dip in the lake. There are changing rooms and showers available in the bathhouse as well as a place to grab a snack or cold drink. There are several boating ramps. Or if you don’t have your own, rowboats and canoes may be rented at the boathouse. There is also a swimming pool within the park.
Make sure to take the time to stop and see the Kron House located at the foot of Fall Mountain. Dr. Kron was a prominent local physician, horticulturist, and educator. His family home, his office, and greenhouse (which were reconstructed in the 1960s) are a great place to wander or to enjoy a picnic. The buildings are not open except on special occasions.
There are two picnic areas within the park. There are both picnic tables and near the pool a large 10-table picnic shelter which can be rented out for private use. If not rented then the shelter is on a first come first serve basis. You can find 106 campsites for both tents and RVs within the park. Restroom and showers are provided as well as dump stations for RVs, but hook ups are not. They are also first come, first serve and a modest fee is charged. For the not so adventurous there are six rustic, yet comfortable vacation cabins for rent. During the summer they rent by the week and in the spring and fall they also have weekend rentals.
This truly is a magnificent place to visit. It has become a favorite place for Jazzy and I to go for our walks. Make sure to take the drive on up to the scenic overlook. From here you can a breathtaking view of the mountains and valley below. There are also picnic areas and restrooms here. There are so many beautiful things to see here so make sure you bring your camera. For more information as well as park hours, directions, information on classes and camping please go to www.ncparks.net and click on Morrow Mountain Also given the long history here, this place is bound to attract a few spirits who seem to like this place as much as the living. One of our senators is also a well regarded historian, folklorist, and author. Daniel Barefoot has a collection of ghost stories that gives spine tingling tales from each of our 100 counties. The one from Stanley county deals with an odd occurrence at Morrow Mountain. Make sure to check out NC Haunted Hundred to see exactly what happened here!
Highly recommended