This is a really nice trail in the Charlotte area that not many people know about…read more We first did the South Fork Catawba River Greenway which is about a mile round trip. It's starts at Goat Island Park south of 85. Another weekend we came back and did the South Fork Catawba Trail which is north of 85. That was about 4 miles round trip. I really hope they connect the two because they're so close together, but there is a small gap between the two, so you can't hike straight through. I saw some signs that made it look like there were plans to extend it, so hopefully that happens. If you're looking for an easy walk that's not crowded, check out either of these two trails!

While not quite "over the river and through the wood" type of trail, getting into the heart of it…read moretakes some maneuvering, especially from the parking area nearest I-85. Once you have crossed under the overpass (which some might find intimidating), walk another 200 yards until the trail quiets down. Ahhh . . . you are on your way. South Fork Trail is one of the few Carolina Thread Trails that has a legitimate natural surface with two parking areas, each at either end of it. At about 2 miles in length (or 4 miles to go out/back from whichever end you parked), it's a lazy stroll along the south fork of the Catawba river. I've seen deer, turkey, turtles, snakes, along with various birds and foliage. Mostly, I feel alone on the trail (depending on the day), sometimes meeting the occasional hiker or bike enthusiast. OK, that works. When I want to want hike to clear my head, avoid the crowds, and sometimes walk barefooted, this trail scores. Beware, however, of the height and roll of the river. Too much rain can turn this little trail into a deadly torrent. Otherwise, I say "give it a whirl."

This is now closed for 4 years for Dam maintenance. Otherwise a great walk on the woodsread more

So fun and beautiful. 2 mile walking trail one way, a if you're into running a scenic route you can…read moreget in 4 miles there and back. There are picnic tables along the way and I think even bike trails.

Great set up for our 2 year old toddler, who could reach visual animal tanks, pretend camp in the…read morehollow tree, color, or even read on a comfy bench or chair. Staff was available but not intrusive. Too hot to do much outside, but a nice break from the over 90 degree heat.

We had an amazing day at McDowell Park and Nature center. Lots of good hikes and countless clean…read morepicnic areas. The nature center building has loads of wonderful educational information and even hiking packs kids can borrow. Fishing poles too. Can't wait to go back on our next visit.

This beautiful park is still quite natural. Even the parking lot is just gravel and dirt…read more From the parking lot, a mile of natural surface trails for walking and running and mountain biking. I took a short walk to check it out and it is quite nice. At the river side, there is an access area for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and picnicking. Get outside! [Review 14247 overall, 1570 of 2020, number 2682 in North Carolina.]

This is a really nice trail in the Charlotte area that not many people know about…read more We first did the South Fork Catawba River Greenway which is about a mile round trip. It's starts at Goat Island Park south of 85. Another weekend we came back and did the South Fork Catawba Trail which is north of 85. That was about 4 miles round trip. I really hope they connect the two because they're so close together, but there is a small gap between the two, so you can't hike straight through. I saw some signs that made it look like there were plans to extend it, so hopefully that happens. If you're looking for an easy walk that's not crowded, check out either of these two trails!

(From November 2025)…read more I can't remember how I found this but as I'm driving in Charlotte, my dad and I stopped here to check it out. This is one of the most beautiful parks I've had the pleasure of visiting. There are beautiful views, playgrounds and lawn space for children's play, plenty of parking, trails for walking/bike riding, several bridges, and large trees to compliment the fields. The park is well-kept as everyone here ensures cleanliness and top maintenance. As my dad and I sat down on the bench and soaked in our surroundings, we observed a plethora of activity which included some people flying drones, kids competing in the playground's obstacle course, elderly folks walking, dogs running amok, people racing toy cars, and a few people cycling. The positive energy and vibes were radiant. I'm glad we stopped by here. Definitely worth a visit in Charlotte!

We were in Charlotte for a concert on a Saturday night and looking for something to do on a Sunday…read moremorning (when lots of places are closed). We thought this park looked pretty cool, so we drove over, parked on the road and walked around. It was a nice day and lots of other people were out. We walked around the lake and checked out some of the features like bridges, streams, bridges and an amphitheatre. There was also a playground nearby. All in all, a lovely outdoor space in Charlotte.

This place was fun! During the summer they have concerts…read moreand you can bring your blanket and chairs and enjoy the music. They have several places where you can buy beer and other drinks as well as food. You can whitewater raft, go on hiking trails and zip line too. Ample parking but beware, it can get packed during certain times and events.

I have never been to Charlotte NC before, and as I did my research on what to do, the US National…read moreWhitewater Center often came up as 1 of 2 must-visit attractions. Not being a real outdoorsy person, and only having whitewater rafted once, I felt the $89 day pass was very reasonable. I arrived at the USNWC at open time, and paid $13 for parking. Once parked, I lined up at the Outfitters center to sign up for activities. It was already busy, so I was probably in line for about 20 minutes to get my spot for whitewater rafting. They make it sound like you can only do whitewater rafting once, but after speaking to my guide, you can only have one reservation at a time. Once you finish you trip, you can immediately sign up again if there are spots. As I was there relatively early, I was schedule for a 10am rafting start, which gave me plenty of time to walk around the check out the area before getting to rafting. My general thoughts: - Whitewater rafting was terrific. It was the main focus of my visit, and completely made my day pass worth it. My guide was fun and informative. The conveyer belt bringing the raft back up was operational while I did it, but later in the day, it looked like the conveyer was out of service, so everyone had to carry the rafts back up, which is quite a bit of extra work. Between the heat and extra carrying, I decided not to go back, otherwise I would have. - The bin storage service made it easy to rent a bin to store my gear. It often had lines, so I would recommend minimize the number of times you need to access it. You can access as many times as you want. - I did the kayaking at the flatwater area. It was a much more relaxing area that you can go at your own-pace. - The ziplines were a bit disappointing, unless you pay extra for the longer lines. The lines that don't require reservations are very short, and frankly, not worth doing unless it's your first time trying it. - Most of the rock climbing areas were closed off, and the few areas open was packed with small children. So I decided not to try it. - Because by late day, it was getting uncomfortably hot, so i decided not to do the rope courses, but they looked pretty good. - Entry to the area is free, so a good number of visitors hang out just to have picnics and watch. Overall, I enjoyed my visit, only because of the whitewater rafting. It's much more affordable then what I could do back at home. The ziplines are good for first timers. Ropes courses looked good, and flatwater activities are nice to move at a more relaxed pace. I can see why it's a popular place.

When I hurt my foot and we couldn't hike for a while, we went in search of a place to kayak. Since…read morewe don't have our own, this is a bit of a challenge in Charlotte. It's especially challenging before Memorial Day. Luckily, we were able to find this place. I can't remember the exact price, but it wasn't cheap from what I remember and I think it was a 2 hour minimum. Pricing aside, we had a good time. The Catawba River isn't the most scenic place to kayak, but there are some nice branches off it it where you can spot lots of turtles. The employee that helped us was very friendly and gave us some pointers on the best areas to explore. If you want to kayak close to Charlotte, check them out!

Good service but some other folks at the put in were acting dangerously and the owner of riverside…read morewasn't able to do much.

I was visiting the area and looking for a place to get in a run. There was ample parking,…read morewell-marked trail signage, and scenic, peaceful views. There were other people out on the trails too, but they weren't crowded. I would go back if in the area again.

One of my FAVORITE running spots in North Carolina. Hidden gem. Particularly nice on a summer…read moremorning. Extensive trails that go for miles and pretty water too!

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.

This is a great park that's secluded from the city. It has great walking trails if you want to get…read morein some exercise on the regular, but it also has fields for sports if you're interested in doing that. (For what it's worth, I'm not sure how you go about reserving the fields as I've never done it, but I'm sure calling Parks and Recreation could lead you in the right direction...) I'd go as far as saying this is probably the best park in Gaston County.

Great place to go and sit and read in quiet for a while. Or even pack a picnic for the family and…read morealso take a while around the beautiful man made lake. Make sure to look out for the bald eagles and turtles!