Friends of the South Mountains State Park

10/06/2025

This Saturday, October 11th

Annual Meeting - 9:30 am - SOMO Picnic shelter

Nature Day - 10:00 am to 1 pm - Celebrating 50 years of South Mountains State Park. Vendor displays, birdhouse building, pumpkin painting, cupcakes and more.

08/29/2025

The mountains are calling ⛰️ Which of these state parks is your favorite?

08/13/2025

Save the date -

2025 Annual Meeting - October 11th, 9:30 am, Picnic Shelter.

2025 Nature Day - Celebrating SOMO's 50th Birthday - October 11th, 10 am to 1 pm.

08/13/2025

SOMO Equestrian Facilities Update: Most Equestrian facilities to reopen September 5, 2025. Some equestrian trails may remain closed or partially closed. Check with Park office for updates prior to riding out. 🐎🐎😃

High Shoals Falls, Upper Falls Campsites, and Shinny Creek Campsites remain CLOSED. ⛔️🚷☠️😢

Please do not enter closed areas for your safety and safety of Park Staff.

08/10/2025

NC Teachers! Did you know that NC Friends of State Parks will pay for your trip when you bring students to visit a North Carolina State Park? ✏️🐿️ Our YIP-EE grants invite teachers to request up to the full amount of funding needed for transportation or transportation related costs fora field trip, including the cost of using district owned buses, hiring a bus driver, and more.

Want to apply? Click here ➡️ https://www.ncfsp.org/YIP-EE

08/04/2025

We know the coolest way to show everyone on the road how much you support our beautiful state parks! 🚗

The best part? Proceeds support our mission to support our local state parks through outreach, advocacy, and fundraising.

Want one? Click here to purchase yours now 👉 https://www.ncfsp.org/Shop

05/21/2025

Update: no trail workday tomorrow! The next workday is June 5!

Ever wondered how the trails you love to hike get maintained?

Come help FCNC on Thursdays to get hands-on experience with tools of the trade and help improve one of our trails for the community to enjoy!

05/17/2025

05/17/2025

: Park Rangers

Love being outside and exploring some of North Carolina’s most beautiful places? Maybe you’d like working at one of our state parks! The Division of Parks and Recreation is seeking an enthusiastic team member to fill our Park Ranger positions at the following parks:

Carvers Creek State Park
Crowders Mountain State Park
Fort Macon State Park
Gorges State Park
Mount Mitchell State Park
South Mountains State Park

Our Park Rangers provide educational programming, natural resource management, law enforcement/emergency services, seasonal employee supervision, administration, operations, and maintenance. They are commissioned law enforcement officer and will enforce state laws and park regulations through patrol, education, warnings, citations, and arrests.

To apply, visit: https://bit.ly/3YOgjUZ

05/14/2025

Update on SOMO Park Facilities:

Open
All of Clear Creek access (day use only).
Most hiking trails at the Jacob Fork access for hiking only.
Picnic area and nearby trout streams.
Tent/trailer/RV campground.
Visitor center.
Backpack campsites – some hike-in mileages have changed due to reroutes from hurricane damage:
Fox Trail campsites are now 6.8 miles (formerly 4.9);
Jacob Branch campsites are now 6.6 miles (formerly 3.8);
Little River campsites;
Murray Branch campsites are now 7 miles (formerly 5.4);
Sawtooth campsites.

Closed
High Shoals Falls Loop, including waterfall viewing areas.
Headquarters, Shinny, and Possum Trails.
All equestrian facilities, including the day-use parking area, campground, horse barn, and equestrian trails.
All mountain biking trails.
Shinny Creek and Upper Falls backpack campsites.

Visitors should pay close attention to onsite signage and not attempt to access areas that remain closed. Facilities that remain closed continue to have major safety hazards.

05/14/2025

Thank you to all of our Park Staff and Volunteers for a great day as the 2025 Clear Creek Classic. 🎣 It was great to see over 40 kids and their families on Saturday!! Congratulations to the prize winners. 🏆🏆👏👏

04/26/2025