Kings Mountain National Park - Kings Mountain Trail - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Kings Mountain National Park - Kings Mountain Trail
Country:	United States
State:	South Carolina
Nearby Town:	Blacksburg
Rating:
Directions:	Kings Mountain National Military Park is located on South Carolina Highway 216. From Greenville, SC travel on I-85 North to NC Exit #2. From Charlotte, NC travel on I- 85 South to NC Exit #2.
Total Hike Distance:	8.20 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate
Permit Required:	Yes
Hike Type:	In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Kings Mountain National Park Visitor's Center
Trails Used:	Kings Mountain Trail
Backcountry Campsites:	Yes
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams
Management:	National Park Service
Contact Information:	Kings Mountain National Park 2625 Park Rd. Blacksburg, SC 29702 (864) 936-7921
Best Season:	Winter, Spring, Fall
Users:	Hikers, Dogs
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads
Hike Summary:	Kings Mountain National Military Park commemorates a pivotal and significant victory by American Patriots over American Loyalists during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. The battle fought on October 7, 1780 destroyed the left wing of Cornwallis' army and effectively ended Loyalist ascendance in the Carolinas. The victory halted the British advance into North Carolina, forced Lord Cornwallis to retreat from Charlotte into South Carolina, and gave General Nathanael Greene the opportunity to reorganize the American Army. This easy to moderate out-back hike passes across a few small streams and through a forest of rolling hills. It is entirely in the boundaries of Kings Mountain National Park. The route starts behind the National Park Visitor's Center and ends at the Garner Branch Campsite - the only designated backcountry site in the national park. The route also includes a side trip up to Browns Mt. (1045') which is located in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ride Mountains where a short spur trail leads to the site of an old firetower (which has been removed.)