The McDowell Nature Preserve TRACK Trail follows the Pine Hollow Trail, and portions of the Four Seasons and the Sierra Trails. This easy 1.2 mile loop features scenic views of the creek and offers a close-up look at the diverse tree species that can be found in the park.
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 soft-shelled turtle, and Loggerhead Shrike. McDowell Nature Preserve is also well known for its diversity of spring ephemeral wild flowers 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.
Location Details
Adventures for McDowell Nature Preserve
Bug Out
Difficulty:
Nature's Hide & Seek / El Juego del Escondite en la Naturaleza
Difficulty:
Hikin' to Find Lichen
Difficulty:
Birds of the Piedmont
Difficulty:Directions
Longitude: -81.023133000000
For directions and other information, please click here for the McDowell Nature Center & Preserve's website.
Partners
The TRACK Trail program is sponsored by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.
The McDowell Nature Preserve TRACK Trail was made possible through a partnership between the Blumenthal Foundation, Mecklenburg County, and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program.