20 Best Things to Do in Kings Mountain, NC

Prepare for refreshing outdoor activities and history lessons upon visiting Kings Mountain in southwest North Carolina.

This small city’s 13.63-square-mile expanse mainly spreads into Cleveland County, with a small eastern portion in Gaston County.

King’s Mountain is on the southern doorstep of the mighty Appalachian Mountains.

The city got incorporated in 1874, changing its original settlement name of White Plains to King’s Mountain.

The city adopted the new name because of its proximity to the 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain site.

This skirmish, where the Patriot militia defeated the Loyalists, became one of the pivotal battles of the American Revolutihonary War.

Visit this North Carolina city for an elevating experience.

Here is a list of the best things to do in Kings Mountain, North Carolina:

Camp Out at Crowders Mountain State Park

Access to this state park starts from its Visitors Center on Park Office Lane, which brings you to the foothills of The Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain.

The Visitors Center features museum-quality exhibits that complement the regular interpretive programs in the state park.

The park offers secluded campsites about a mile from the Visitors Center, with facilities suited for individuals, groups, or families.

You can pick campsites with electric hookups, bathhouses, and wheelchair-accessible ones.

The standard campsite features include a fire ring with a grill, three picnic tables, drinking water, and vault toilets.

Hiking in this park presents choices on 11 trails ranging from easy pastoral walks to strenuous pathways.

The rugged terrain of Crowders Mountain offers opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering which would need a permit in their designated areas.

You can circle the park’s lake through its gravel path for nature observation, pictorials, or birdwatching for less strenuous activity.

Explore the Kings Mountain Gateway Trail

You can access this trail via South Battleground Avenue, where its trailhead and parking lot are located on a half-acre site.

This Kings Mountain Gateway Trail gateway features a bike rack, kiosk, and picnic shelter with nine picnic tables and two large grills.

There is also a restroom/office facility, plus a short, interpretive nature trail for children to enjoy exploring.

The main Mountain Gateway Trail is designed for hiking and biking, and it is wheelchair-friendly as well.

This trail extends over five miles one way and features a mix of gravel/crushed stone, boardwalk, and sidewalk along its route, connecting to Downtown Kings Mountain.

Stay at Hound's Campground

This campground is west of the Kings Mountain Gateway trailhead, located on Raven Circle.

Family-owned and operated, Hound's Campground offers 43 RV campsites, all with water, sewer, and 30–50 amp electric hookup.

The campground also has 50 tent sites with access to its modern, clean, and well-stocked restrooms and bathhouses, plus a laundry area on site.

In addition, Hound's Campground offers spacious three-bedroom cabin accommodations along the nearby Kings Mountain Gateway Trail.

A three-screen drive-in theater is likewise inside the Hound’s Campground perimeter.

Bring the Kids to Rick Murphrey Children's Park

Opened in 2015, this children’s park is located on North Cleveland Avenue.

It began as a wheelchair-accessible facility featuring enclosure wire nettings for child safety.

This children’s park flaunts a castle motif, enhancing the appeal of its swing bridge and slides to kids.

Kids will enjoy this park; the entire family can enjoy snacks inside the gazebo.

Join a Fishing Tourney at Moss Lake

Located in Kings Mountain and bordering the city of Shelby, Moss Lake spreads over more than 2,000 acres.

Its lakeshore covers 57 miles of shoreline, while its waters cover 1,660 acres, perfect for boating and fishing.

Moss Lake hosts many fishing tournaments stocked with crappie and bass each year.

Four types of bass—white, striped, largemouth, and spotted—inhabit the lake, which also teems with catfish and carp.

The lake has an average depth of 50 feet and ten public boat ramps that set kayaking, sailing, jet-skiing, and motor boating opportunities.

Picnic areas and campgrounds are also available for visitors of Moss Lake, accessible via Oak Grove Road in the city of Shelby.

Visit the Kings Mountain Historical Museum

This museum opened in 2000 on East Mountain Street, displaying artifacts and exhibits in a former post office.

Its exhibits change, so there’s always something new to see and learn about the cultural identity and unique history of Kings Mountain and the southwest Carolina region.

The Kings Mountain Historical Museum collections include military memorabilia, photographs, housewares, textiles, and archival documents.

On a visit to this museum, check out the memorabilia from the US Army 82nd Airborne and artifacts about the Edwardian era in North Carolina.

The museum also attracts kids’ interest by displaying model trains and antique toys.

Admission is free.

The museum also features reenactors so that its visitors can fully appreciate its exhibits.

Play Golf at Kings Mountain Country Club

Opened in 1946, this country club offers 18-hole championship play on its scenic mountain course spreading over 6,483 yards from its longest tee placements.

Accessible via Country Club Road north of West Viking Street, this course plays at a regulation par 72 over tree-lined fairways.

The course rating of this layout is 70.5, while its slope rating is 121, marked by subtle elevation changes.

The front nine of the course offers a forgiving introduction to golf, played on relatively straight layouts and side-by-side fairways.

The course presents its challenge on its back nine with more dogleg holes and higher slopes.

The country club’s restaurant, Crow’s Nest, offers a finale to a golf round with its wide selection of food fare and bar offerings.

Raise a Toast at Veronet Vineyard & Winery

This winery hosts daily tasting flights in its indoor bars on Brooks Drive, with three half-glasses of your choice on a flight.

Veronet Vineyard & Winery occasionally focuses on the single varietal, dry, and delicious wines, with a sweet option.

Vineyard guests can choose from a rotating tap for craft NC beer and non-alcoholic options, including still water, sparkling water, juice, and soda.

Charcuterie picnic boxes are available as snacks, including dried fruit, nuts, and crackers.

Food truck vendors add to the menu selection in Veronet Vineyard & Winery each Saturday and Sunday.

Enjoy a Show at the Joy Performance Center

Watch local performers show their talents on this stage of the non-profit Kings Mountain Little Theater.

This non-profit community theater has regularly staged shows in the Joy Performance Center on South Railroad Avenue for 20 years.

Opened in 1949 and known as Joy Theatre, this is a vintage-style venue with a unique vertical marquee.

It changed its name to the Joy Performance Center when it became home to Kings Mountain Little Theatre in 2002.

The theater, which seats up to 300 people, boasts new lighting and sound systems, enabling it to host stage plays and other events.

The theater’s grounds also host community gatherings and special events like artisan shows.

Shop Farm to Market at the Rhodesdale Farm Roadside Market

A visit to Kings Mountain opens the opportunity to shop for local produce direct from the farm.

One great stop is the Rhodesdale Farm Roadside Market on Shelby Road.

Locals and visitors alike drop by this family-owned shop not only for its fresh fruits and vegetables.

Rhodesdale Farm also offers great selections of meat products like steaks, hamburgers, and pork chops.

The Foothills Farmers’ Market offers even more choices at its venue on West Marion Street in Shelby, just ten miles west of Kings Mountain.

This farm-to-market shopping destination opens at the Bobby Bell Pavilion on Saturdays from April to November.

Dine and Drink Downtown

Skip the predictable fare of fast-food chains and relish the offerings of the homegrown eateries of Kings Mountain in its downtown.

One highly rated downtown restaurant is 133 West, whose claim to fame is its creative and modern approach to Southern cuisine.

Many diners in this restaurant on West Mountain Street rave about its servings of wagyu steak and prime ribs.

Others derive thrill from 133 West’s shrimps and grits, Tuscan salmon, and April chicken.

This restaurant's dining on Friday nights offers an added delight in live music at its Patio Stage.

The place is a pub, lounge, and café rolled into one, featuring a full bar serving wine and craft beer.

Wax Creative at the Southern Arts Society

Visit the gallery of the Southern Arts Society housed in a historic train depot on North Piedmont Avenue.

The society’s gallery is open to the public and features monthly exhibits of regional artists.

Established in 1984, the non-profit society has a membership comprised of artists throughout the Carolinas.

Besides its exhibits, the Southern Arts Society also conducts workshops open to everybody.

It also has a shop where gallery visitors can buy the works of local artisans.

Plan a Romantic Date at Hound's Drive-In Theater

Movie nights can be memorable with the right people and, of course, in the right place.

And for many, Hound's Drive-In Theater is the right place!

Open seasonally, this drive-in theater features three high-definition screens with ample parking space.

It also has a full-service concession stand and picnic facilities for everyone to enjoy.

If you're traveling with a partner to Kings Mountain, it's important that you visit Hound's Drive-In Theater at least once.

You can find this theater on Raven Circle.

Let Your Child Join an Event at Mauney Memorial Library

For some peaceful time by yourself researching or reading up on a good book, Mauney Memorial Library has your back.

What started as Haywood and Elizabeth Lynch's vision in the 30s soon became a city staple for education and recreation.

The library's first known existence was in 1936.

Back then, the library was within Keeter's Store as donated by Dr. J.E. Anthony.

Over time, the library underwent relocations and expansions until it found its permanent home in the Hord Mansion in 1947.

The place was a memorial as it is a library; a reminder of a young couple's fight for better reading materials for everyone.

Aside from the usual book collections, this library offers a variety of kids' and adult events, including storytelling sessions and art classes.

Ready to give this public library a visit?

Mauney Memorial Library is on South Piedmont Avenue.

Go for an Exercise at Patriots Park

If you've got time to lounge around and unwind, why not spend it at Patriots Park?

This park has a full range of amenities for the ultimate break from your formal itinerary.

With a walking track lined with large trees, you can go for a jog or a walk in the park.

The park also offers picnic areas and tables for a quick munch with friends and loved ones.

And best of all, the park is a known venue for outdoor concerts and food trucks.

Located along South railroad Avenue, Patriots Park offers the solution for your outdoor fun with a dash of exercise.

Challenge Yourself to Tee Time at Woodbridge Golf Links

Make your leisure time more enjoyable and memorable by going to a golf game.

Woodbridge Golf Links is your best bet for a creative time outdoors.

This 18-hole golf layout spans over 6,000 yards of open green space and towering foliage and shrubbery.

With fairly level grounds and sloping fairways, this golf facility is ideal for golfers of all skill levels and expertise.

Woodbridge Golf Links is on New Camp Creek Church Road, ready for your best golf swing.

Enjoy Live Music at the NC BeachBlast Festival

It's always a fun time for both locals and tourists every August because of the NC BeachBlast Festival.

This annual event features live entertainment and craft and food stalls.

And to make things better, admission is free!

So, gather your loved ones and friends and play games managed by the park.

There will also be surprise performers and tribute shows, so be on the lookout for that.

Come and be part of the festivities at the NC BeachBlast Festival in downtown Kings Mountain.

More specifically, this event will be at Patriots Park on South Railroad Avenue.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Visit the Kings Mountain National Military Park

This park preserves the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain, fought on October 7, 1780, which Thomas Jefferson saw as "the turn of the tide of success."

The battle was the first major Patriot victory after the British invaded Charleston, South Carolina.

The park is located on Park Road in Blacksburg, South Carolina, about eight miles south of downtown Kings Mountain City.

The Kings Mountain National Military Park covers 4,000 acres featuring a visitor center, a trail, and various monuments.

The park is a habitat of many plants and animal life.

A wide range of commemorative items, books, and educational media is available at the park’s store.

Visit the International Lineman's Museum

This museum on Caleb Road, Shelby, celebrates the history of the lineman and the electrical utility industry.

Established in 1997, the International Lineman’s Museum preserves thousands of artifacts dating to the 1880s.

In addition to its artifacts collection, the museum features a Hall of Fame Memorial Garden.

The garden’s centerpiece is a nine-foot-high, solid block of granite inscribed with the names of the Hall of Fame inductees.

The garden also features a “Tear Drop” memorial, a large town clock, and brick pavers containing the museum donors’ names and inscriptions.

Admission to the museum is free, and it is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or by appointment.

Explore Kings Mountain State Park

There are many outdoor activities to explore in this park, covering 6,885 acres in the town of Blacksburg, South Carolina, some eight miles south of the city center of Kings Mountain.

This park boasts two lakes—Lake Crawford and Lake York—both ideal for paddling and fishing.

You can go hiking on more than 20 miles of trails plus an extended ridgeline path connecting to three parks and the Carolinas.

The park offers horse riders 30 miles of equestrian trails and 15 equestrian campsites.

Additionally, the park provides 115 standard sites for RVs or tent camping and ten sites exclusively for tent camping.

The park also has a Living History Farm where you can go on a self-guided tour to a replica of a 19th-century yeoman farm.

Here you will see a blacksmith/carpenter shop, barn, cotton gin, and farm animals.

It also features a historic garden with crops, herbs, fruit trees, and a small vineyard.

Final Thoughts

A trip to South Carolina promises to be a more meaningful experience if you visit Kings Mountain.

You can gain deeper insights into US history from touring this city and its nearby points of historical interest.

These historic destinations have many satellite attractions, such as nature parks offering myriads of outdoor thrills.

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