The mountain itself is a monadnock, an isolated erosional remnant that rises abruptly from the surrounding plain.

[3] The peak is believed to be the remnant of a much higher mountain which formed some 400 - 500 million years ago and was gradually worn down by the elements.

The park sets at the northeast end of the Kings Mountain Range, a 16-mile (26 km) long range of low peaks which include the site of the Battle of Kings Mountain of the American Revolution.

[5] In the early 1970s, a mining company conducted exploratory sampling on the mountain as preparation to purchase the mineral rights.

Thanks to grassroots efforts by local citizens, educational institutions, and organizations, the state government was convinced that the area should be set aside and protected due to significant natural communities, plants and animals, intrinsic beauty, and unique recreational opportunities.