Kings Mountain Gateway Trails

(8 reviews)

40.5 mi

I didn't get too deep into the Sherman Branch Nature Preserve today as I'm on foot. And I'm alone…read more This looks like a fantastic opportunity for some mountain biking as the park is largely still in its natural state other than the trails and markings and even a bridge over the creek. In late October, the leaves are turning making for some fabulous colors. The trailhead includes a dirt parking lot, a sign with the map of the park (take a picture so you can remember better!) and a couple of port-a-potties. The park gate closes at dark but if you drive up to it, you can leave. It just won't open for entries until morning. [Review 2108 of 2024 - 3777 in North Carolina - 23127 overall]

I visited these trails on a recent stay with a friend in the Concord countryside. They're located…read morein a quiet area, stretched over rolling hills outside of the Charlotte hustle and bustle. The hills provide ample fun for mountain bikers, plus plenty of distance for hikers and runners. The woods are dense with all kinds of trees. A two-track access road cuts through the middle, but is for authorized use only. There's a gravel lot along the road with room for plenty of cars, but note that it is gated and appears to close at sunset. The trails slope down generally, so be prepared to get some vert on your ride or run.

Sherman Branch Trails, Charlotte

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Sherman Branch Trails, Charlotte

High Shoals Falls

(2 reviews)

29.8 mi

One of the tallest waterfall in NC. Route is not that long from parking lot so it is popular site…read more Park center consider the trail as difficult because of the stairs and rocks. It is a steep climb but thanks for the park rangers and contractors that build the trail, you can hike it with sneakers even when the ground is wet. You can't swim in the pools but the water is very clear and we should keep it that way At the viewing platform, there are trash everywhere like a Walmart parking lot. Nasty people can't keep the place clean. Water bottles, socks, and plenty of cookie wrappers . Probably same people who hike with Crocs or with a cup of coffee on hand.

Awesome water falls. It isn't for people with very bad knees because there's like 700 steeps and…read moresome of it is straight up!!

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Seven Oaks Preserve Trail

(8 reviews)

17.4 mi

We hiked this trail early in the morning back in February and really enjoyed it. It wasn't very…read morecrowded which is always a plus for me. I'm sure the time of year and time of day played a role in that. We parked at New Hope Road to start the trail there. The trail goes through the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden property (not the part you have to pay to get into), so you could park and start there as well. It's a 4.6 mile loop which is a decent length for a Charlotte trail. It's pretty flat and easy. There are some nice views of Lake Wylie along the way. I definitely recommend coming in the morning. It was really calm and peaceful on the lake with no one else around.

Me and my dog LOVE THIS TRAIL!!!…read more So I came here twice and was highly impressed with this hiking trail! There is plenty of shade on this trail with small hills in between and beautiful trails along the lake. The trail is marked and it's a pretty clear path so you know where your going. I came across this trail through the "AllTrails" app that had all the details correct except you cannot go all the way around the trial. On the app it is a circle - whereas when you actually go - you hike all the way to one end and then come back the same way. There are plenty water holes for dogs to cool off in the lake from the heat. There are also places along the lake to put out a chair and enjoy the view. Most if not all the patrons on trail were very friendly; there is also a small parking lot that offered enough space for cars to park (we came on a Saturday; this trail was never full). Great place - I highly recommend!

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Anne Springs Close Greenway

(73 reviews)

26.5 mi

Fantastic experience. Plenty of shade and clear paths. Clean bathrooms as well. That is always a…read moreplus. Overall a great experience. Get out and get some nature.

We love taking our granddaughter over to see the horses and walk around the kids farm. She's loves…read more Getting to feed them and run from spot to spot. Her favorites are the horses and the alpacas. We look forward to exploring more of the Greenways spots.

Get oriented inside the Greenway Gateway

Forest Porch

Greenway Gateway

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Bent Creek Experimental Forest

(11 reviews)

72.7 mi

My family and I stopped in here at Bent Creek experimental for us this weekend while we were in…read moreAsheville North Carolina. We stopped in to go hiking because Asheville is known for their hike so we went hiking through the woods looking at the animals seeing the trees it is exploring a big fan of exploring trying to get my family to enjoy it as much as I can but it's tough at times. My kids get tired of walking and they get over it pretty quickly but we still enjoyed it overall quick little fun experimental forest walk that we had. Took some fun pictures had a good time I recommend it for sure

Great for mountains biking and hiking. Trails are very well maintained and clearly marked. Several…read moreoptions for parking and an abundance of fun to be had. Get outside and play!

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Mountain Creek Park

(16 reviews)

31.2 mi

Fantastic wooden playground! My 2 year old loved it. It's all wooden or roped with the exception of…read morethe slides. Bridges, nets, rope climbs throughout! I reallllly appreciate how this playground is designed ie not having multiple cutouts at the very top (so I don't have to worry about my toddler falling). This playground reminds me of the ones I played on way back in the 90s. Lots of parking. Nature center on site. I will be back when in the area!

We were visiting from out of town and needed something for our little ones to do! This playground…read morewas AMAZING! Beautiful area and the playground is 10/10!

Butterfly photo op

Facility maps everywhere

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Trail markers

Buckeye Lake Recreation Area

5.0

(2 reviews)

75.2 mi

This place is fantastic. Great waterfall hike with a fantastic playground and lake with canoes and…read morekayaks. Could spend a half day or more here with young kids. Will definitely be back.

Terrific recreation center. Numerous activities. Highly recommended! Very family friendly.read more

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Entrance to the Trail

Fisher Farm

(8 reviews)

36.2 mi

Nice easy-moderate path. Some bikers occasionally but not too bad on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.read more

This 200 acre park is perfect for communing with nature. Or walking through nature. Or riding your…read moremountain bike through nature. There is plenty of parking and several shady spots for a nice picnic or a rest. Trail condition report: http://www.tarheeltrailblazers.com/ Always hike with a friend! [Review 13412 overall, 731 of 2020.]

Fall persimmons!

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Paw paws

Backyard Trails

5.0

(2 reviews)

28.3 mi

Incredible! How have I not known about this beautiful wooded single track meandering through a very…read morecentral part of Charlotte? I came across this trail by chance on an aimless run through Park Road Park and I'm truly glad I did. Seeing a group of deer down in the woods beside the park I caught sight of some red arrows pinned to trees. I found my way onto this part of the trail and quickly felt a smile forming as my run turned into a proper trail run. In no time I was slipping in muddy corners, climbing embankments and narrowly catching my falls over tree roots. The trail felt like a whirlpool spiraling down and back up the hillside. But it ended almost too abruptly back at the far end of the park. I took the path in front of me and found myself on a greenway. It doesn't end there; that's where it actually gets even better. Turn right onto the greenway and take a run less than a mile down the pavement until you see another trail dashing off through the treeline. Without a second thought I took off on this trail and began grinning from ear to ear. Roots and muddy embankments turned into drop offs, full-on ramps, hills, concrete chunks and up to car-sized boulders. You will hug hairpin turns and quickly lose sense of direction. This feels like being lost in nature. Go wild! I'm thinking "What on Earth is this trail?!" After finding myself back on the flat tops near Tyvola Rd. the sun was heading down and I headed back home. After a quick search I found that this is actually a mountain biking tract ranked from Intermediate to Difficult. The entire system stretches nearly 17 miles snaking partly through two large parks and skirting the greenway between them. It's most easily accessed from the parking lot opposite Marion Diehl Park on Tyvola Rd. And yeah, this will be my new trail running grind. I'll just have to keep an ear out for the MTBers.

Greatest trails ever for not having much in elevation…read more This trail kicks my ass! I'm not the only one as there a some Narley dudes that confess 5 of 50. I've been riding these trails every-time I hit Charlotte. Each time I ride a part of this trail. Today I hit the tough 1/3 of the trail. Lots of hops and downs, twists and turns, and cool drops. Don't forget the rock gardens and rocky climbs. And that's only in one third of the trail system. The other sections are so fun too. But the end of section 2 is built for the high flyers. Yes, free riders! Along both sides of the creek are a bunch of table tops, double rollers, and jumps. Even one that flys over the creek. One of my work buddies use to be a motocross rider and his third day on the mountain bike he is jumping everything in sight at the Backyard except the creek jump. But its vexing the kid. It's out of my skill set. He needs a free style mentor. Grab your helmet, gloves, pack, and water. Your in for a cool ride.

Two old cars off GE trail.

BYT Back Half entrance just off the greenway somewhere between Park Road and Tyvola

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Trail direction arrow

Ray's Splash Planet

3.4

(56 reviews)

28.2 mi

The 3 story slide is worth the wait in line. The seating gets taken quickly but you can always find…read moresomewhere to place your stuff. Locker rooms and bathrooms are relatively clean for what it is. Lazy river is the best. You can go around as many times as you want. Whirlpool is the kids sanctuary. $15/person but discount if you're a Mecklenburg resident. Needs better parking.

I love this place. Off season is just as good as on season. Hours of operation are appreciated and…read moreappropriate!!!!! Kid enjoy the spot and had a good time!

There was a line of people entering when I took this photo as well

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Discovery Island

(4 reviews)

63.6 mi

Great spot for water fun! Parking lot is huge. It took a bit to check in but it wasn't bad. Lots of…read morethings to do to entertain the kids! The lazy river was wonderful and the large splash pad area for the kids was a hit!

Such a fun place! Lots to do for big and little kids. Two slides, one you use a raft to go down,…read moreand even a wave rider for the older kids. Very large pool deck area and lots of chairs, but not a lot of shade. I was impressed with the number of employees and life guards. It was around $14 to get in for any age. Life vests and puddle jumpers available to use. There is a snack bar with a limited selection, and we brought in our own water bottles.

Fun slides even for little ones

Ice cream bars!

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Inside the water park.

Ramsey Creek Park

3.7

(46 reviews)

30.2 mi

Got to the park today to take my grandsons fishing and it was closed for repairs. There mom has…read morebeen checking the website for a week now no mention that pier was closed.

My husband recently ran a 5K here and was excited to show me the park. It was my first time and I…read morewas impressed by the cleanliness, plentiful seating and children's playground. This is a nice park to take kids to for something to do. They had signs saying you shouldn't enter the water in certain places, but people seemed to ignore those. Lots of laughs and splashing heard as we walked around. :) They have several restrooms which were pretty clean for the most part also, which was a good thing. Parking is plentiful, but how close you can park depends on how crowded it is. We were initially directed to an overflow lot but just as we got out of the car, some spaces opened up in the main lot so we were able to move. I believe you can also get on a chartered boat here to go on Lake Norman. Nice place, we will return.

Fishing Pier Closed

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James J. Harris Family Branch YMCA

3.9

(59 reviews)

29.6 mi

Had a great time. Took a Zumba class with James Reyes aka J Panda and it was amazing. Such a good…read moretime. Faculty and facility is good. Didn't get on any of the machines but will maybe try it next time.

Love my morning routine here! Front desk folks are always helpful and there is never a "wait" for…read moreequipment.

Fun summer time

Outdoor Pool Complex

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Kings Mountain State Park

3.5

(22 reviews)

5.6 mi

Nice campground, park and historic area to explore. Dogs loved the pre-spring walks…read more Friendly staff in the camp store, wood is a tick pricey. They have kayak rentals with all the gear. Camp spots are nice when they are nice, but beware of those that are not level. As of now #34 is a bear of a challenge. We were lucky ot is off season and got to move. Rarely do we have to move a spot, thankful they could accommodate with a small upcharge. Playground is fun, trails are good and it is easily accessible from the interstate across the Stateline in South Carolina.

Beautiful park and campground. I drove th park to see if it is a place I'd like to camp and hike,…read moreride my bike and so on. Very pretty.