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K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

This historic trail, part of the National Trails System, tracks the route of Patriot militia men to the Battle of Kings Mountain.

Preview your trip on the web: Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail

Learn more

  • LIBERTY! The American Revolution Mock newspaper articles, activities, a timeline, and a game all come together to provide an engaging experience while learning about the Revolutionary War. A set of six lessons accompany this material.
  • National Park Service Museum Collections: American Revolutionary War Museum items and pictures relevant to the American Revolutionary War 1775-1783 from National Park Service sites.
  • The Overmountain Men and the Battle of Kings Mountain In October 1780, in response to a British threat in the Carolina backcountry, Patriot militias gathered in the mountains of present-day North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. They marched southeast to a site near present-day Morganton, joined forces, and proceeded to defeat Loyalist militias at the Battle of King's Mountain in South Carolina. The battle helped turn the tide of the war for independence.
  • Fort Defiance Visitors to this historic home will see one of the most unique restorations in the county. The home contains over 300 pieces of original furnishings & artifacts from the Revolutionary War period and later.

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The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail commemorates the campaign leading to the battle of Kings Mountain by following the Revolutionary War route of Patriot militia men from Virginia, today’s eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina to the battle site at Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina.

Although the Trail is still being fully developed, visitors may access approximately 47 miles of the route at various points along the 330 mile corridor. A parallel Commemorative Motor Route can also be driven. The Motor Route uses existing state highways and, in some stretches, actually travels over the old historic roadway.

There are three legs of the trail in North Carolina: Tennessee to Morganton, Elkin to Morganton, and Morganton to South Carolina.

  • For the Tennessee to Morganton leg, contact the Historic Burke Foundation in Burke County, Lake James State Park in McDowell County, the US Forest Service in Yancey County, South Mountain State Park in Burke County, and the Museum of North Carolina Minerals in Mitchell County.
  • For the Elkin to Morganton leg, contact Old Wilkes Inc. in Wilkes County, Wilkes Community College Gardens in Wilkes County, the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in Wilkes County, and Fort Defiance in Caldwell County.
  • For the Morganton to South Carolina leg contact the Historic Burke Foundation, South Mountain State Park, and Crowders Mountain State Park in Cleveland County.