The State Trail is planned as a continuous route for hikers and cyclists[3] from Asheville to Morganton, with a loop around Lake James.
[4] In 2004, Duke Energy's Crescent Resources made a deal with NCDPR to sell undeveloped land around Lake James for an expansion of Lake James State Park, and they offered trail easements for the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail on their properties.
[6][3] On June 15, 2015, the General Assembly of North Carolina established the Fonta Flora State Trail, and directed NCDPR to coordinate its development.
[2] During the master planning process for the state trail, its concept was expanded with connections from Lake James to Asheville and Morganton.
On April 17, 2018, the Foothills Conservancy donated 90 acres (36 ha) of undeveloped land near Old Fort to NCDPR for the trail.