Chimney Rock Park

Located approximately 2 hours from Charlotte near Lake Lure, NC.

Check out their website at www.chimneyrockpark.com

5 trails ranging from a .6 mile easy to a 1.5 mile strenuous with great views of the surrounding NC mountains and Lake Lure.  A great place to hike for the day on well maintained trails...and cool down in Hickory Nut Falls!  Open 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM daily.  $14 Adults / $6 Kids (under 16).

Morrow Mountain State Park

Located approximately 1 hour from Charlotte near Albemarle, NC.

State park with 14 trails ranging from .6 mild easy to a 2.8 mile strenuous and a 9.3 mile moderate.  All trails are well maintained.  There's a great nature museum near the park entry and camping if you want to make it more than a day trip.  There's also a swimming pool (nominal entry fee) as well as the Yadkin River, Pee Dee River and Lake Tillery.  Information at 704.982.4402 / morrow.mountain@ncmail.net or http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/momo/home.html .  Entrance to the park is free.

Latta Plantation Nature Preserve
Located less than 20 minutes north of Charlotte, Latta has 16 miles of trails for hikers, nature enthusiasts, and horseback riders with great views of Mountain Island Lake, forests, and streams (3 miles are designated as hiking only). Boat rentals and horseback riding are available for a fee as are tours of the historic plantation.  You can also get a county day pass for fishing for a $1 for county residence.  Also located on the plantation is the Carolina Raptor Center which allows kids and parents to get up close and personal with our local birds of prey (Adults $5 / Kids $3).  Information available at http://www.charmeck.nc.us/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Inside+The+Department/Divisions/Natural+Resources/Nature+Preserves/Latta.htm#Amenities

Crowders Mountain / Kings Mountain State Park

Located approximately 35 minutes from Charlotte right down I85 South.

State park with 10 trails ranging from .8 mild easy to a 2.5 mile strenuous and several short moderate trails.  This is a good area for conditioning and getting ready to hike other (more challenging areas).  All trails are well maintained.  There's a small museum / Ranger Station near the park entry and camping if you want to make it more than a day trip.  There's also a small lake in the park. Information at 704.853.5375 / crowders.mountain@ncmail.net or http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/crmo/home.html .  Entrance to the park is free.

South Mountains State Park

Located approximately 1.25 hours from Charlotte near Lincolnton, NC.

State park with nearly 40 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails.  This is a good area for easy hike-in camping, good day-trips and "stream stomping".  There's a beautiful waterfall off the main trail and plenty of COLD natural ponds to swim and wade in.  All trails are well maintained.  Campsites must be reserved in advance.  Take a trail map with you.  The visitors center is not yet completed. Information at 828.433.4772 / south.mountains@ncmail.net or http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/somo/home.html .  Entrance to the park is free.

MORE TO COME!!!