---
id: "12815"
name: Crowders Mountain Drive
distance: "8"
duration: 20 minutes
description: This short drive takes travelers by Crowders and Kings mountains in Gaston and Cleveland Counties.
path: o~~uEnkloNhCG|CFfNdCrOxAx@k@fFyBrCaCb@q@zDiLtCaGvGoQz@gAlD}B|BaAxA_@jLyAh@MnC}A|Ay@~@YfCg@z@YrDmCrC_BlAe@vE_AtLuHxEqBjLiI|A_B~@gBXcBHiAWiEe@mDDiB^eA`DmFbAuEpAsJf@sBbDmGX_B@aB[qCc@aB_AgBOeAT{NRmAXm@tEmFp@kANm@?qBmA{EYmBSwBA_BHiBNy@nBsFTqAB_GIi@e@Z_QxDwIrCcCJoL?aKGiBQ}As@u@q@iCaFsA_B_QaJkC{@eCWsB?_C^{KlCmAFcASk@a@o@}@_JuNoBoC}AyAuCmBaBe@oAEgJfMcAx@}UnMeCnBoPnO{HbEsDfAwC`@}KUmAKgB_@mJmDiA}@_AoAuNwTyBmCy@k@s@SsEoAsB[mA]kIyE
attractions:
  - url: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/crowders-mountain-state-park
    name: Crowders Mountain State Park
designations:
  - North Carolina State Scenic Byway
states:
  - NC
ll:
  - -81.33319099999994
  - 35.22552100000007
bounds:
  - - -81.33431999999993
    - 35.19308900000004
  - - -81.28488899999991
    - 35.243584

---

Take a drive that winds by the monarch of the mountains. Crowders Mountain Drive, named for one of the early settlers passes a scenic three-mile mountain range and through Crowders Mountain State Park.

Among the peaks in the mountain range is one called the Pinnacle. It is known as a __monadnock__, which is a geological feature made from a mass of rock that has resisted erosion. Because of this phenomenon, the Pinnacle towers high above the rest of the peaks like a king.

Because the byway goes through a mountainous area, visitors may want to experience rock climbing or hiking in the region. This short byway is well worth the twenty minutes drive.