Kings Mountain National Military Park commemorates a pivotal and significant victory by American Patriots over American Loyalists during the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War. The battle fought on October 7, 1780 destroyed the left wing of Cornwallis' army and effectively ended Loyalist ascendance in the Carolinas. The victory halted the British advance into North Carolina, forced Lord Cornwallis to retreat from Charlotte into South Carolina, and gave General Nathanael Greene the opportunity to reorganize the American Army.

Kings Mountain National Military Park was established on March 3, 1931 by an act of congress "in order to commemorate the Battle of Kings Mountain." Kings Mountain National Military Park is the terminus of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail commemorating the route of the Patriot army from the mountains to the battle.

• Battlefield Trail: One and one-half mile self-guiding loop trail around battlefield site. The trail is the site of Ferguson's Cairn, the burial site of British Major Patrick Ferguson; the U.S. Monument and other markers; and wayside exhibits.