Hidden gem right here in Clover/York. On a clear day, you can see the Charlotte skyline. Pretty…read morewild. The incline is moderate and not a difficult hike. And, not a long distance. You should check it out. Bring your dog

No fees, no hassles but also no services. At the end of the roadway, you'll find a dirt and gravel…read moreparking lot with room for a dozen or so vehicles. Secure your vehicle, take a deep breath and get ready for a short climbing hike. This hiking trail probably rates as a moderate as it is little more than a gravel and dirt access road to the top. It starts off with a pretty swift incline but as it starts to corkscrew around Nanny's Mountain, it levels off a bit. And before you know it, you're at the top. There is a right turn just before the summit There is a clearing at the top and a large shelter that seems to be set up as a meeting place with a lectern and three rows of seats facing it. There are a couple of trash cans and that's it. No power, no barbecue grill and definitely no restrooms. Be prepared for that. There's also not much of a view from the summit. As it's January, the trees are quite bare so I could see some of the curve of the lake, but that's it. Occasionally, a plane on its way in to CLT. But no view of the skyline or of the surrounding area. I kind of want a view as my reward for a hike/climb. Not one here. Still, it was a nice and peaceful walk. And remember, never hike alone! [Review 16523 overall - 853 in South Carolina - 32 of 2022.]

On a hunt for new parks to take the nibblings lead me to find Palisades Park. This park is located…read moreat the Palisades Elementary School. The park is a great option once the McDowell Nature Preserves park and playground closes. You can quickly head over to the Palisades park and let the kids finish playing. That's exactly what some friends and myself did. The playground equipment is very modern with an old school rocking horse available for smaller kids. I was very impressed by the different pieces of playground equipment. I believe it's ideal to go to this park when school isn't in session because the playground equipment is used by the school. If no one is at school the parking lot is huge and ideal for scooters, bikes and other toys like that. Palisades Park 15321 York Rd Charlotte, NC 28278 Monday December 30, 2019 5:30pm

This is a cute place to go for relaxation and peace with beautiful scenic views of the lake. There…read moreis also plenty of seating and a small area with sand. I am definitely going back again.

This park is fantastic. There are great playground areas for kids and some nice relaxing recliner…read morechairs for the adults. The little beach at the lake is also a wonder place for kids to play in the summer time. This is a great weekend park to visit, especially if you're a local!

Such a nice park to visit, even my 12 years old enjoy it. The playground located on the entrance of…read morethe neighborhood . The playground also very accommodating for toddlers since they have different play ground activities that accessible for them. This park also has basketball court and walking trails. Pretty cool park to visit for fun play, fresh air, and nice walking trail. This playground has public bathroom but because it's public bathroom the cleanliness was not monitor properly.

Directly at the entrance to the town of Tega Cay, this small park is all about the playground and…read morealso the parking for the trail that begins here. The asphalt trail continues west and then south from here to Lookout Park. It's very cool. The playground is top notch. It is entirely fenced in to keep the little ones from wandering off. The equipment is clean, modern and looks like fun for ages up to around 12 or so. Small slices, climbing frames, swing sets and the like. All in bright colors that immediately appeal to little ones. Note that the trail is open and the park will reopen after the COVID issues are clear. [Review 13056 overall, 373 of 2020.]

Closed and locked up for the coronavirus pandemic but otherwise will reopen for the season soon…read moreenough. One of Tega Cay's oldest parks, it sits at the end of one of the longest peninsulas of the town. The park features playground and picnic sites that are directly on the lake as well as covered picnic shelters, restrooms and a beautiful scenic overlook. Friday nights are when the Carolina Show Ski Team puts on their free waterski shows. Note that parking is by permit only and the permits are not free. There's also no walking here from anywhere other than very nearby as no public transport visits this deep into Tega Cay. [Review 13069 overall, 386 of 2020.]

this idyllic spot plays host to families, nature, fur babies and all things water sport related…read more Limited parking, nestled at the foot of a residential street so be kind and quiet for the neighbors. small sandy patches for the beach like experience, staggered bench seating for observers of the water ski show and other fabulous water festivities. Apparently the 4th of July boat show is to die for.... plan ahead for parking.

I come here to watch my friends softball games and it's a cool lively park. There's multiple…read moreplaying fields and always some sort of team activities going on. It's always clean and well lit. I definitely need to explore this park a little more but all the areas I've been to here have been great. The bathrooms were clean and well lit too. It seems like a great park for team activities and events. There's also plenty of parking!

Larger park in Southwest Charlotte, Thomas McAlister Winget Park was dedicated on October 15, 2000…read more It was named after Thomas McAllister Winget who died along with three other Olympic High School students in an automobile accident on May 17, 1969. Today, the park boasts basketball courts, trails, three restrooms, picnic shelters with grills, a softball field, a disc golf course and a number of volleyball fields. The picnic shelters can be reserved. Buried at the back end of a residential neighborhood, it is not located near any main roads or even a decent secondary. I guess that is why it's as quiet as it is.

Boat launches onto Lake Wylie and lots of parking for trailers, this campground is quite "back to…read morenature". There is a building with a restroom but I didn't spot a playground or any other "active" features. There are good spots for fishing too. Yes, there is actually an island and they have several docks. Plenty of trails to walk and you can bring your leashed dog. Great park, free entry. Lots of nature. [Review 16875 overall - 3204 in North Carolina - 388 of 2022.]

This island is adjacent to the McDowell Nature Preserve on Lake Wylie, and is very wooded. There…read moreare paved and dirt walking trails throughout with platforms and overlooks along the way. There are six large campsites with fire rings and grills, but there were other camping areas as well. We had enough people for this weekend of camping (about 200) that we rented the entire island. OMG! It was such a nice venue. There is a pavilion with an enclosed area for preparing food with kitchen, sinks, etc., along with many (I didn't count!) picnic tables on the cement slab under the covered area for serving dinner and for gatherings. There are also four actual large bathrooms which I wasn't expecting. We rented addtnl port-o-potties but we really didn't need them. Better safe than sorry! We had a DJ setup under the shelter and it became a stage with spectator area at night for entertainment. There is a nice sand volleyball court next to the pavilion if the island and lake don't offer enough entertainment and exercise. Don't miss out on the floating dock that goes out into the lake. We brought floats and hung out there during the day. There are two large parking areas at the head of the island, but plan to walk alot and carry your stuff a good distance. Beautiful spot for a picnic or family gathering. If it's like SC parks, you can probably get a yearly pass. It would be worth it if you live in the area. Only 10 minutes away from Fort Mill/Rock Hill too.

We were looking for a trail close to home and found Lookout Park Walking Path via Trailhead Park on…read moreAllTrails. You can actually drive to this park if that's more your speed. It's a really nice park with a disc golf course, soccer fields, etc. You can walk right down to the lake too and there's a very small beach. This was my favorite part. There was almost no one else there when we were there on a weekend. The trail itself was nice. If you're looking for a hilly walk in Charlotte, this is probably the steepest we've done right in Charlotte.

They got the name right with this one - the park has a great view of the lake and has some larger…read moreclearings for picnicking and enjoying nature. The trail from here up to Trailhead is still open. There are picnic tables with a view and grill, a large parking lot, open space with a soccer field and even a structure with bathrooms. I loved the view of the lake. [Review 13060 overall, 377 of 2020.]