Scenic Drives

Crowders Mountain Drive - Piedmont Scenic Drives

The Crowders Mountain Drive takes motorists by Crowders and Kings mountains in Gaston and Cleveland counties. To begin following the byway, take Exit 10 from I-85 and follow U.S. 29/74 to the community of Mountain View. Exit onto Sparrow Springs Road (S.R. 1125), where the route begins.

Follow Sparrow Springs Road and turn right onto Pinnacle Road (S.R. 1104) as they wind around the base of Crowders and Kings mountains. Crowders Mountain, named for a local settler, is one of the peaks in the Kings Mountain Range. The mountain range is about three miles long, extending from the southern end of Gaston and Cleveland counties in North Carolina into York County, S.C. The highest peak, called the Pinnacle, marks the northern end of the range. Its weathered granite cap, called a monadnock, stands above the other peaks as a king stands above his people.

Continue on Sparrow Springs Road as it veers right into the area around Crowders Mountain State Park. The park showcases the local mountains, which are remnants of the ancient Appalachians. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking or rock climbing in the park. Continue following the byway by turning right to stay on Sparrow Springs Road for two miles, and then right again onto Pinnacle Road. The first mile is gravel.

Formed in 1841, Cleveland County was named for Benjamin Cleveland, a hero at the Battle of Kings Mountain during the Revolutionary War. Kings Mountain National Millitary Park, located in South Carolina, is the site of that decisive British defeat in 1780. The valley is also known as Sherrars Gap and separates the Pinnacle from the rest of the Kings Mountain Range.

Pinnacle Road changes to Lake Montonia Road (S.R. 2292) at the Cleveland/Gaston County line. Follow this road for about one mile where it intersects with N.C. 161. Turn right onto N.C. 161 North for one-half mile to I-85 where the byway ends. For an interesting side trip, continue into South Carolina to the Kings Mountain National Military Park by turning left onto N.C. 161 South and driving four miles into South Carolina to the park’s access road.

Length: 8 miles
Driving Time: 20 minutes
Counties: Gaston, Cleveland

courtesy of NC Department of Transportation

added: September 15, 2009

updated: September 25, 2009