►Get Directions  
►Park Map
►Environmental Education & Outdoor Adventure Programs
►Trails
►Fishing
►Flora & Fauna
►Affiliations
►Volunteer Program 

McDowell Nature Center serves as the gateway to the 1115-acre McDowell Nature Preserve and is the source for educational programs and information on the preserve's natural communities, flora, and fauna. The preserve, the oldest in Mecklenburg County, has been left 90% undeveloped and protects mostly forested, rolling terrain along the banks of Lake Wylie.

Features:

• 1115 acres
• Nature Center
• 56-site Campground
• Copperhead Island – Fishing and Boating Access, Primitive Group Camping
• 7 miles of hiking trails
• Playgrounds
• Picnic areas
• Wildlife viewing opportunities
  

Reservable Facilities:

► McDowell Campground
► Copperhead Island (Shelter and Primitive Group Camp)
► Medium Shelter
► Large Pavilion
► Waterfront Deck

Trails
The preserve features 9 trails totaling nearly 7 miles. Download a full-color, pocket-sized TRAIL MAP.

• Four Seasons Trail – 0.4 miles (Easy, Paved Accessible)
• Sierra Trail – 0.3 miles  (Easy)
• Cedar Ridge – 0.5 miles (Moderate)
• Shady Hollow Trail – 0.6 miles (Moderate)
• Cove Trail – 0.8 miles (Moderate)
• Kingfisher – 0.9 miles (Moderate)
• Pine hollow – 0.9 miles (Moderate)
• Chestnut Trail – 1.2 miles (Moderate)
• Creekside Trail – 1.2 miles (Moderate)

* All trails are marked with color symbols. Mountain bikes are not permitted on preserve trails. Dogs are welcome, but must remain on a 6-foot or shorter leash at all times.

Flora and Fauna
McDowell Nature Preserve preserves habitat for 119 species of birds, 21 species of mammals, 21 species of reptiles, and 14 species of amphibians.  Among the unusual species that have been found at the Preserve are: Seminole bat (first record in NC), spotted salamander, Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle, and Loggerhead Shrike. McDowell Nature Preserve is also well known for its diversity of spring ephemeral wildflowers and is among the best areas in Mecklenburg County to view Pileated Woodpecker. The Preserve protects a federally endangered plant (Schweinitz's sunflower), a federal candidate species (Georgia's aster), and one rare plant (prairie dock) at its two Piedmont Prairie restoration sites. For a complete list of documented species, download our vertebrate species checklist (137kB PDF) or contact us at 704-588-5224. 

 

Affiliations
McDowell Nature Center is a proud member of the North Carolina Association of Environmental Education Centers and supports Environmental Educator's of North Carolina. The Nature Center is recognized as a WNCW Oasis and accepts the Oasis member discount card for gift shop purchases. The Nature Center is also a member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Water Quality Coalition, is a certified

National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat, participates in the Groundwater Guardian program, and serves as an ambassador for Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology's Project FeederWatch.

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Copperhead Island
704-583-1284 (Information and Camping Reservations)
15200 Soldier Road
(Adjacent to the McDowell Nature Preserve)
Hours: 7 a.m. – sunset

Copperhead Island is operated and maintained by Park and Recreation in cooperation with Duke Power through a land lease agreement. It serves as the only public boat launch to Lake Wylie in Mecklenburg County.  The site also offers bank and pier fishing, trails, and picnicking.  Visitor may also reserve the picnic shelter for day-use or rent the entire "island" for overnight group camping. 

► Get Directions
► Download Copperhead Island Map (pdf | 334k)

Features:

• 25-acres
• 4 boat launches
• Fishing piers
• Paved trails (hiking only) 
• Picnic shelters
• 2 Horseshoe pits
• Sand volleyball court
• 6 Rent-A-Tent sites (group camping only)
• Primitive camping on the shores of Lake Wylie is also available.

Reservable Facilities:

► Copperhead Island Shelter # 1