The park is pretty remote, with only occasional cell service (a good thing or a bad thing depending…read moreon one's needs). The parking really close to the mountain is handicap only, so the intention is for most people to walk a 4.5 mile loop that goes around the mountain and then up it on the way back. It is a substantial climb, both down into a gully with an impressive waterfall and up the mountain itself. The rock does offer wide-spanning views. The infrastructure was not in ideal shape at the time of my visit, with some water fountains down and other limitations in amenities. I also found the trail setup a bit confusing as following marks led me once to a dead end and in another case, I had to hike on a gravel road a bit to get back to the trail and that wasn't marked clearly as the right way to go. While these things could be improved, the park is an excellent resource and as is standard practice in NC (but not in SC or VA), is free to enter.

Great place to come hike. Lots to see & do. Downside is that kids are allowed to come here & make…read morenonstop noise.

This is such a fun place to come hang out! Picnic tables,…read morefishing, walking trails, and a dog park! The few times I've been, it hasn't ever been too crowded. There's so many different activities, you can't be bored here. Everything has been clean and well maintained each time I've visited.

Very beautiful park the kids loved it there. The lake was amazing and the fish was always biting.read more

Wonderful park with well marked trails Feels like a hike…read moremore than a walk which is awesome

The Photograph Club from Trilogy had scheduled a fall photo shot for today with the goal of taking…read morein Murray's Mill Historical Site and the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, both in the same area. While at the Bridge, I mentioned that I was also considering going over to Riverbend Park which was only about 20 additional minutes from where we were. A couple of the folks decided to join me. I've been here probably a half a dozen times but never checked in and left a review although I did post some photos. Our group leader was familiar with the Park because she had hiked the trails often but was not aware of the Dam for Lake Hickory which is just upstream. The other lady was aware of the Dam but did not realize that there was a Park just downstream. When you pull into the main parking lot, at the back side is a small road with a sign that says "Trailheads" to the right and Picnic Rest Rooms to the Left. Not obvious but if you take the Left Fork, you go down the hill to the River. At the bottom of the hill is another parking lot next to the Catawba River. When you first to into the lot, there is an observation deck that extends out into the edge of the Catawba River. Great view of Fall foliage from here. If you go back past the covered picnic shelter you end up at the Canoe Launch area. Another beautiful area. We missed it but they open up the dam on occasion for the Canoe's and Kayaker's to create whitewater. At that time. all the rocks you see in the photographs are submerged. A little past peak color but the maples with their shades of rea were still beautiful.

This is a beautiful trail that leads to a 250 ft waterfall, with some easy hiking, some steep…read morefootsteps. Was easy to moderate for little kids and adults alike. The total hike is 30 mins (to and fro) and has nice marked trees for identification, streams, creeks and bridges. There is some beautiful foliage and trees along the way. There are two sites (start of waterfall and midway) each making for a beautiful photo opportunity.

Paved, with packed gravel surface part of the way, then many steps to get to lower viewing area of…read morecascade falls. Some incline and decline (out and back trail).

The New River is apparently quite long, because this is nowhere near the more reputed New River…read moreGorge National Park. However, even in Virginia it is quite majestic. The main park office lies in a historic hamlet surrounded by farms. A parking charge applied, and if you parked somewhere else along the extensive trail perhaps you could get by without it, but the sights were certainly well worth seeing. I made it maybe a mile down the trail to a riverbend overlooked by a bluff ideally suited for sunsets, but there was a lot more to explore. Some boating was available, and a horse seemed interested to meet me as I departed.

See my Review for Shot Tower. It's the same. I wish I was a cyclist. But I am a hiker and I can't…read morehike a gravel road for miles. All good. Beautiful area!! River is so nice.

Renovated and much nicer than it was in my previous review. Wish there was a trail along the river.read more

This is a cute park on the border of the county. They only have a porta potty since.it is so small…read more They have a nice ramp to access the river. There are also a few picnic tables and a small climbing area for kids. Unless I was parking to the use the river or go biking a probably would not come back to this park.

Fred Clifton park is right next to Lovers Leap and actually has a superior view. It has a good…read moreparking lot, picnic tables (with grills, I think), paths through the woods and wooden overlooks. There are signs to beware of bear. There are black bear in this area. Hikers should be aware that there is also a trailhead for a hiking path over by the Lovers Leap parking. Look for a big boulder covered with grafitti.

Such a GORGEOUS park in the middle of small town North Carolina just outside of Charlotte. Lake…read moresports, fishing, children's parks and events, the place is HUGE. Camping hours locks you in after closing with private access should you need to exit. Ranger is a friendly bloke that was so helpful. Peaceful, full hookups and onsite black tank disposal. Note, it's a public park - so you're not going to have control over whom your neighbours are, but we got lucky and the possible problem guests were leaving as we arrived (yay!).

Nice, spacious park!!! The playground areas, alone, is worth the drive, it's huge and great for all…read moreages!! There's also a carousel, a barnyard to pet farm animals, an aquarium/exhibit with live animals inside of it in the nature center, a splash pad, mini golf, trails for walking, and some wildlife habitats outside that have wild animals as well. We didn't get to do the train, as it was closed; but there was still so much to enjoy at the park. Me and my bestie brought our kids and they had a blast! We spent a solid 2-3 hrs there and had a great time. It's also very inexpensive!! Some things that I will say is that the bathrooms are not very clean and don't even work but it's an old place, so that's to be expected and we're not there to use the restroom, we're there to play! Bring cash for extra things, like carousel, barnyard, animal exhibits, etc...sometimes their card reader doesn't work and they can only accept cash. There's even a cute place to shop where you purchase tickets for everything with toys and snacks inside! All in all, we had a great time! Keep in mind this place is old, but it definitely still has charm, and stands out against the other parks around. The animal exhibits, including the barnyard petting activity is a hit or miss, because this place is not a zoo. The animals have plenty of room to hide and/or roam to get space, which is a great thing!!! But some people might be upset after paying and not really being able to see the animals. Highly recommend!!! Go if you haven't!!!!

The old saying great things come in a small package. That is exactly what this campground is. It's…read moresmall, quaint, clean and perfect. We stumbled across it when we were having a vehicle issue and were, pleasantly surprised to find this little gem. there is solar lighting at your utility pole, garbage cans, every two campsites. It's like they thought of everything. I know I will remember this spot the next time I'm coming down through North Carolina.

A very nice, well maintained campground!! If you're looking for amenities, go to a KOA. If you want…read moreserene quiet in a real country setting, this is the place. There are 12 spacious sites including 4 pull through and 8 back in that back up to the woods. Some have full hookup and some have electric, water. Free Wi-Fi, no cable but we get all local channels with our antenna. Up the hill at office is two bathrooms with shower and a washer/dryer. Average price is only $45 a night and certainly well worth it. It is located about 5 miles from Elkin and right in the middle of winery country. Owners are very friendly and we will be back here for many stays..

Small, free, local playground in Lexington now that playgrounds have opened back up. They have a…read moresplash pad that's free as well, but that was still closed. Playground is suitable more for older children, but our toddler still enjoyed herself as well. If you can overlook the surrounding houses with their shoddy appearances, the playground itself appeared clean but small.

This large park features a playground, grills, basketball court, three shelters, and a 4,000…read moresquare foot splash pad. There is also a building with bathroom facilities. Closed for the winter but looking absolutely awesome. Plenty of parking and a great view of the entire park area. It's an interesting neighborhood. Some of the houses nearby look like they could use a good pick me up to solve their drooping roofs and stained roof tiles. Ouch.