South Mountains State Park, located near Morganton, North Carolina, offers visitors a rugged and scenic outdoor experience. The park features elevations reaching up to 3,000 feet and boasts nearly 50 miles of trails suitable for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. ​
One of the park's highlights is the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail, a 2.7-mile loop that leads to the impressive 60-foot High Shoals Falls. This trail begins at the Jacob Fork parking area, which provides picnic facilities and restrooms. The initial half-mile offers an easy walk along the Jacob Fork River, while the subsequent section becomes more challenging, featuring steep steps leading up to an observation deck beside the waterfall.