Easy family friendly trails, playground, and views of the lake will leave you wanting to come back again. 

Located in the Steele Creek area of Charlotte, McDowell Nature Preserve is 1,132 acres of protected forest, rolling terrain along the banks of Lake Wylie. This is the oldest preserve in Mecklenburg County. There is plenty to do in the preserve such as hiking, camping, fishing, educational programs, and the Nature Center. There are over seven miles of hiking trails leveling from easy to moderate. These trails offer a variety of terrain with scenic views of Lake Wylie, forest, streams, and a piedmont prairie restoration area. From the Nature Center, there are a few trail heads to venture onto. The Pine Hallow trail is under a mile and perfect for starting little ones out on. You can also park near the water for more trailhead,, which go along the lake for more rolling terrain and longer hiking. The trails are very shaded, which  makes this a perfect area to hike in the summer. Bring bug spray, however, as water plus heat is a recipe for a buggy area. By the water there is a covered deck to sit and have a picnic or to watch the water.  Once you have hiked, head to the playground for more fun. The playground has two play structures, one for older kids and a small one for younger ones, along with some climbing equipment. 

McDowell Campground offers a total of 56 sites with options ranging from primitive sites to RV pads with full hookups. Copperhead Island is a 20-acre island with hiking trails and group camping. It’s open daily for public use, but it can be reserved for special events. You can reserve the whole island or just the main shelter. 

The McDowell Nature Preserve protects habitat for at least 120 species of birds, 21 species of mammals, 21 species of reptiles, and 14 species of amphibians. You can download a checklist from their website to see how many you can find. This area is also known for its diversity of spring wildflowers.