“A jewel…”
“An adventurers’ playground…”
“A Catawba County treasure…”
Within the quick time since its June 2022 opening, Catawba County’s latest outside vacation spot, Mountain Creek Park, has already been getting rave critiques. Located 34 miles northeast of Charlotte, N.C., on the northwestern tip of Lake Norman, this 606-acre park with almost 20 miles of trails and a number of different facilities has shortly change into a well-liked vacation spot for outdoor lovers – as demonstrated by the various optimistic critiques that proceed to be shared by park guests.
“We do a number of mountain biking, and that is the perfect!!”
Mountain biking is on the coronary heart of Mountain Creek Park. The park’s 19.52-mile multi-use path system was designed to optimize mountain biking and consists of interconnected loops that vary in issue from “simple” to “intermediate” to “most difficult.” Riders also can hone their abilities on a 1.2-acre pump observe comprised of a sequence of rollers, berms and banked turns, and a companion “tot observe” is out there for starting riders to be taught, apply their stability, and enhance their confidence on a motorbike. The park’s technical, single-track trails, a number of of that are bike-only, cowl various terrain and embrace rock jumps, desk tops, steep downhills and sweeping turns – offering limitless route combos for the biking fanatic.
“Mountain Creek Park is such a peaceable and delightful place to paddle. There may be a lot wildlife and birds to see!”
Named after the creek that winds by way of the park, Mountain Creek Park is nestled alongside a cove on Lake Norman, the most important man-made lake in North Carolina. A paddle launch invitations paddlers to place of their canoe, kayak or paddleboard to journey into the park alongside Mountain Creek or float out into the lake. On the inlet, low-water mudflats present habitats for shorebirds, wading birds, river otters, beavers, turtles and extra. A brief paddle into the northern part of the park reveals old-growth beech, hickory and oak forest that’s residence to chipmunks, American mink, turkey, whitetail deer, and quite a lot of different birds and wildlife.
“Superior playground. Looks like a pirate ship. We had a blast!”
The park’s centerpiece is a nature-inspired, treehouse-style, ADA-accessible playground with rope bridges and skywalks, a climbing wall, slides, mountain laurel tunnels, a sky hammock, a vine climb, a rope swing and extra, located on almost an acre of play area.
“I really like this park! The [pickleball] courts are properly lined and delightful. It feels such as you’re enjoying outdoors in nature.”
Most mornings, it’s commonplace to see the park’s 4 pickleball courts filled with gamers having fun with America’s fastest-growing sport. The tree-lined courts can be found for open play on a first-come foundation.
“We love the park and the paths! The rangers have been tremendous superior and pleasant.”
As one would anticipate with 18.7 miles of multi-use pure floor trails, mountaineering, working and strolling are fashionable actions at Mountain Creek Park. The park additionally gives a 0.9-mile paved ADA-accessible path that winds by way of a quiet cove. Canine lovers can convey their pups to stroll the paths with them on leash or romp unfettered inside the 1.6-acre fenced-in canine park. The park’s quite a few picnic tables, shelters, and benches present loads of alternatives for a break, picnic or group gathering.
Anglers, birdwatchers and nature lovers are particularly keen on the fishing pier positioned on the inlet of the creek, the place they will get spectacular views of the mudflats and its inhabitants. There’s additionally an out of doors classroom and a small nature middle to teach guests about native vegetation, bugs and wildlife.
“It is a Catawba County treasure. There’s little doubt about that.”
With so many facilities and leisure alternatives, Mountain Creek Park resides as much as the hype. And for outdoor lovers visiting Catawba County, N.C., and the Hickory metro space, it’s simply the place to begin. The Catawba County Park System’s 4 main parks (Bakers Mountain, Mountain Creek, Riverbend and St. Stephens) supply greater than 1,500 acres of pure habitat to discover by foot, bike, paddle (and canine!) seven days per week. Should you love the outside, you’ll discover limitless methods to take pleasure in them in Catawba County.
Discover your journey at www.catawbacountyparks.org!
