Kings Mountain National Military Park
Park Revolutionary War battlefield commemorating Patriot victory
Park preserving the 1780 Kings Mountain Revolutionary War battlefield with monuments, a museum and wooded trails; visitors study the battle’s regional impact and walk preserved ground.
Kings Mountain National Military Park preserves the site of the key Revolutionary War engagement fought on October 7, 1780. The park is administered by the National Park Service and interprets the battle between Patriot militia and Loyalist forces.
The park offers a visitor center with exhibits, a self-guided driving tour, and short trails that lead to monuments and interpretive markers. Several overlooks and markers identify militia lines and the main action areas on the ridge where the battle occurred.
The battle at Kings Mountain was fought in 1780 when mainly American frontiersmen confronted Loyalist troops under Major Patrick Ferguson. The Patriot victory had strategic consequences for the British Southern campaign and the site was later preserved to commemorate that action.
The park sits on the border region between South Carolina and North Carolina near the town of Blacksburg, South Carolina, on a wooded ridge known as Kings Mountain.
- Administration: Maintained by the National Park Service with short interpretive trails and a self-guided driving tour that covers principal battlefield locations.
- Battle Date and Significance: The decisive engagement took place on October 7, 1780, and is considered a turning point in the Southern campaign of the American Revolutionary War.
What to See #
- Visitor Center and Driving Tour: Includes a visitor center with exhibits about the 1780 battle and a marked driving loop that highlights key positions on the battlefield.
- Monument and Battle Sites: Kings Mountain Monument and several interpretive markers locate the main engagement sites and militia positions from the battle of October 7, 1780.
Tips for Visiting Kings Mountain National Military Park #
- Start your visit in the cool morning hours to walk the park's trails and tour the battlefield markers before late-day heat and visitor traffic increase.
- Begin at the main visitor center to pick up a map and talk to rangers about self-guided routes and living-history schedules so you can follow the most historically significant stops in logical order.
- Don't skip the interpretive trail markers and monument inscriptions along the battlefield loop - they pinpoint skirmish sites and perspectives that give the best sense of troop movements and the park's significance.
Best Time to Visit Kings Mountain National Military Park #
Visit in spring or fall for comfortable hiking weather and the most pleasant conditions for exploring the park.
Weather & Climate near Kings Mountain National Military Park #
Kings Mountain National Military Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1249 mm/year), wettest in March, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (127 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm).
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm).
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August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (114 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).