Trails / South Carolina / Upstate South Carolina

Kings Mountain National Recreation Trail Loop (Garner Creek Campsite)

Kings Mountain National Military Park and Kings Mountain State Park, on the North Carolina line

The Kings Mountain loop circles through two parks on the South Carolina-North Carolina line: Kings Mountain National Military Park, which protects the Kings Mountain battlefield, and the neighboring Kings Mountain State Park. The National Park Service calls it a 16-mile, strenuous loop and advises planning a full day.

For an overnight, the military park’s Garner Creek Backcountry Campsite is the only place you can camp on the federal side. Registration is free, at the visitor center or by email (SOCA_Permits@nps.gov), according to the park’s compendium.

The hike

The National Recreation Trail loop begins near the military park’s visitor center and runs through both parks, with blue markers, according to NPS. SCTrails.net describes it winding through hardwood forest over gently rolling hills, past granite outcrops and a stream toward the battlefield, and past a fire tower. It crosses a horse trail twice.

Hiking Project describes the loop from the state park side. Heading south from the Kings Mountain campground, the trail meets the Ridgeline Trail, which links the parks with Crowders Mountain in North Carolina, then crosses several equestrian trails. About halfway, a clearly marked spur leads to the top of Browns Mountain for views. The trail gets busier near the visitor center, then follows rolling valleys back to the state park. It “crosses creeks at numerous points,” many on bridges but some on rocks, Hiking Project says.

Backpacker’s weekend plan uses the Ridgeline Trail from North Carolina: six miles to the South Carolina border, about 2.5 miles into Kings Mountain State Park, then “another three miles to camp the night at Garner Creek,” with 8.7 miles left the next day to close the loop.

NPS also lists a 3-mile Ridgeline/Clarks Creek/Lake Crawford connector from the visitor center to Lake Crawford in the state park, which crosses Apple Road and must be hiked out and back. The state park says the Ridgeline Trail “connects 3 parks and 2 states.”

NPS warns that there’s no water, no bathrooms, and no cell service along the loop, and suggests talking with rangers in either park before setting out. Its trails page notes that “the most up-to-date information may not always be available online.”

Tips

Register first. NPS requires registration for Garner Creek at the visitor center or by emailing SOCA_Permits@nps.gov.
Mind trail hours. The park’s compendium says trails are open sunrise to sunset.
Park overnight at the visitor center. NPS allows it for campers.
Carry water. NPS says none is available on the trail.
Use only park firewood. Firewood from outside the park is prohibited.
Plan a full day. NPS says the loop takes one.

Camping

NPS says camping in the military park is allowed only at the Garner Creek Campsite, which requires a 3-mile hike. Registration is free and required, at the visitor center or by emailing SOCA_Permits@nps.gov (per the park’s compendium, updated Sept. 14, 2026); sites are first come, first served, and no reservations are taken. The compendium caps the site at 10 people (the camping page says 10 to 12), the maximum stay is seven days, and fires are allowed only in the established fire ring or pit. There are no amenities. The state park’s own campground, with 115 standard sites, is a drive-in option near the loop.

Inside Intel: No camper accounts recommending a specific site were found. Backpacker calls Garner Creek “the only backcountry campsite in the park” and gives a 10-to-12-person limit (the park’s compendium now says 10).

Trail facts

Distance: 16 miles (NPS); 15.6 miles (Hiking Project)
Route type: Loop
Difficulty: Strenuous (NPS)
Campsite: Garner Creek, 10 people maximum (compendium), 7-day maximum
Water: None provided; creek crossings. Treat any water.
Permits: Free registration at the military park visitor center or by email (SOCA_Permits@nps.gov)
Fires: Fire ring only; no outside firewood
Trailheads: Kings Mountain National Military Park visitor center; Kings Mountain State Park
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

One night at Garner Creek:

Garner Creek is the military park's only backcountry campsite, with no amenities. If you wake up sore on your side, start with a thicker pad and a pillow with real height.

See the fixes →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.