Summertime just makes people want to get out and explore! If you’ve done the beach, and the mountains, and looking for something new, now is the time to try Gaston County.
Gaston County is a recreational wonderland you need to discover. Check out our NEW Summer Guide 2021, showcasing all the options for how you can enjoy the outdoors, explore our historic downtowns, locate our most scenic views, indulge in our most unique dining, and so much more.
Get Outside and Explore
Hiking shoes, mountain bikes, kayaks and paddle-boards. Become one with nature in Gaston County and get outdoors in this recreational wonderland!
Hike the Carolina Thread Trail
With the help of the Carolina Thread Trail, Gaston County offers more than 25 miles of trails incorporating sidewalks, natural-surface and paved, giving our visitors a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy nature.
Our Crowning Jewel
Easily visible by anyone traveling along I-85 is Crowders Mountain. This 5,210-acre state park can be defined by its sheer rock cliffs located at the summit soaring 150 feet high, garnering impressive views for those who choose to climb to the summit.
The park includes a lake for paddling and fishing, as well as rock climbing and bouldering opportunities by park permit only. Eleven trails range from easy to strenuous, and vary in length from an .8-mile easy loop to a 12-mile (out and back) Ridgeline Trail of moderate difficulty. The most popular trail is the 1.4-mile Rocktop Trail, a strenuous and rocky climb to the summit of Crowders Mountain, where long-range views of the gleaming Charlotte skyline are visible. Climbers can take the and an equally impressive companion peak, King’s Pinnacle, tucked away to the southwest near the South Carolina state line.
Paddle Our Rivers
Gaston County’s premier blueway initiative is the 11 Mills Blueway Trail, encompassing both the Catawba River and its’ South Fork. Along the way paddlers will find places to launch their boats, rent equipment as well as eateries and breweries where they can stop and relax.
The stretch of the Catawba River in Gaston County starts just below Mountain Island Lake in North Carolina and flows to the border of South Carolina and is an amazing way to spend the day paddling. Enjoy breakfast near the launch in downtown Mount Holly, stop for lunch along the way and catch the sunset five to six miles down steam.
Another self-guided paddle will take you almost 9 miles down the South Fork Catawba River where you will witness both a beautifully protected shoreline and signs of Gaston’s past in the textile industry with plenty of places to stop at parks, restaurants, and breweries along the way.
For those who don’t have their own boat, we recommend the Boathouse in McAdenville which offers several guided and self-guided adventures.
Cover the Distance on Two Wheels
With options for athletes, weekend warriors, families with kids, and everyone in between, Gaston County has a RIDE for you. Visitors traveling without their gear can rent everything they need at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The Center offers more than 50 miles of trails for both beginner and intermediate. An extensive trail system for mountain bikers can also be found at Rocky Branch Park where adventurists can make a day of it by enjoy the park followed by some much deserved chill time at local eating establishments.
Thrill Seekers
The thrill of mountain whitewater rafting can be enjoyed on the eastern edge of Gaston County at the Whitewater Center. Made by humans, not Mother Nature, the center is home to the world’s largest artificial whitewater river. Thousands of outdoor adventurers, from novice to expert, visit each year to enjoy a guided raft trip around the circuit or go solo in a kayak.
The whitewater center offers many other challenging activities, such as zip-lining, mountain biking, ropes climbing, free-fall jumping, flat-water paddling and climbing on a rock wall leaning out over a pool of water. When the adventure wraps, unwind in the riverside cafe with food and beverage service, including craft beer. Live music is available several evenings a month.
Sip Our Craft Beverages
The Ridgeline Craft Beverage Trail features breweries, distilleries and wineries in the area. Each has its own unique feel and culture and experienced altogether on the trail makes it a great weekend getaway.
Take Time to Explore Our Charming Downtowns
While the natural beauty of Gaston County invites you to get outside and explore, it’s our cozy downtowns that create a comfortable place for you to relax. Born out of the boom of the textile industry in the 1800s followed by continued growth in railroads, today Gaston County is seeing a major resurgence due partly to the outward sprawl of nearby Charlotte, turning our towns into bustling neighborhoods, each with a unique story to tell.
Conveniently Located and Easy to Find
Gaston County is located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina just west of Charlotte, NC with easy access from Interstates 85, 77, and 321. Our location alone makes for a convenient getaway.
Let the summer fun begin in Gaston County, NC. Check out our SUMMER GUIDE 2021 and make your plans to stay with us.
All photos courtesy of Gaston County
