Morrow Mountain

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views

This is mostly out-and-back route (there's a tiny, little loop at the top, circling the summit) is a total of 5.8 miles, and follows the Morrow Mountain Trail to the summit of Morrow Mountain and then returns to the park office. The initial two miles are quite easy and flat, but the final half mile to the top is quite steep. The summit has lovely views, overlooks in every direction, and many picnic tables that are perfect places to take a break before heading back down.

Park at the park office and begin running south on the Morrow Mountain Trail. The initial two miles are fairly flat, with some small hills. The final half mile of the Morrow Mountain Trail is where almost all of the climbing takes place. The Morrow Mountain Trail intersects with the Morrow Mountain Loop Trail. Follow the loop trail around the summit for views in every direction.

Emerging from the wooded and quiet Morrow Mountain Trail to the Morrow Mountain Loop Trail at the summit can be a jarring experience—the summit of Morrow Mountain is easily accessible by car which makes it a popular and very busy viewpoint. But the views are worth it. From the summit of Morrow Mountain, along the Morrow Mountain Loop Trail, you can see the Pee Dee River to the west, Badin Lake to the north, and Lake Tillery and Stony Mountain to the south. Most of the view to the northeast is the Uwharrie National Forest.

After enjoying the views and perhaps a picnic lunch, head back down the way you came to return to the park office.

While the first two miles of the route are pretty flat, the trail is rocky. The soil can become quite slippery when wet, which can make the final, steep, half mile of the trail quite challenging. There are also a few creek crossings. The trail is marked with triangular, blue blazes, but they can sometimes be hard to spot.