Wander Through 22 Acres Of Rock Formations At Big Rock Nature Preserve In North Carolina
When it comes to great big, giant things, it’s not just kids that are awestruck by them. Adults, too, are fascinated by larger-than-life objects. Case in point here in our own backyard: the Big Rock Nature Preserve in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This 22-acre granite-filled wonderland is found right in one of the city's upscale Southside neighborhoods.
And it's open to the public, although parking is a bit of a question.
Head over to Elmstone Drive, just outside the I-485 loop and once you've passed the Thornhill Members Club heading west, be on the lookout for the blue and tan sign for the park.
While if you keep your eyes to the ground or sky, you could easily walk the whole trail in under 30 minutes, Big Rock Nature Preserve has some enormous granite boulders that make it nearly impossible to walk through without stopping.
Aside from all of the boulders, the trail and park feature some marvelous woodland features, like small water crossings with wonderful, well-kept bridges.
McAlpine Creek Tributary #1 flows right through the preserve and provides a natural buffer from I-485. This park is historically significant in that evidence gathered here points to a Native American habitat that dates back 7,000 years.
Learn more about Big Rock Nature Preserve’s 0.6-mile trail from AllTrails. More about the park, itself, can be found here. It’s open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.. However, in the winter, its highly advisable to find your way out of the preserve long before the sun sets.
Please remember to leave no trace so generations to come can enjoy this historic landmark designated so by the Charlotte Historic Landmarks Commission.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Big Rock Nature Preserve, 6500 Elmstone Dr, Charlotte, NC 28277, USA
North Carolina In Your Inbox
Thank you! You will receive your first newsletter soon.
Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.
