Nature Preserve Trails
Behind the nature center, a 737-acre forested preserve holds seven named trails, about 6 miles in all and more with the park's connecting paths, through hardwood and pine forest, floodplain and past wooded ponds, crossing Reedy Creek on footbridges.
What's here
- Dragonfly Pond Trail: a 1-mile loop from the nature center along Dragonfly Pond (green square blazes).
- Umbrella Tree Trail: a 1-mile loop named for the umbrella magnolias by the creek (yellow circles).
- Sierra Loop Trail: a 1.5-mile loop built by Central Piedmont Sierra Club volunteers (yellow triangles).
- South Fork Trail: a 0.25-mile connector with a bridge over Reedy Creek (red squares).
- Robinson Rockhouse, Big Oak and Sassafras trails.
Good to know
Stay on the blazed trails. They're mostly gentle, with roots, rocks and a few short climbs. Ask at the nature center about current rules for dogs and bikes on the preserve trails.
Short loops from the nature center
Two 1-mile loops start right at the nature center. The Dragonfly Pond Trail passes through hardwoods and follows the shore of Dragonfly Pond, a good place for turtles and dragonflies in summer. The Umbrella Tree Trail is named for the umbrella magnolias, a deciduous magnolia with huge leaves, that grow along the south fork of Reedy Creek; it crosses the Big Oak and South Fork trails before looping back.
Going deeper
The short South Fork Trail crosses Reedy Creek on a bridge and connects to the 1.5-mile Sierra Loop, built by volunteers from the Central Piedmont Sierra Club. Heading counterclockwise, the Sierra Loop meets the Robinson Rockhouse Trail and swings around to the Sassafras Trail. Together, the preserve's seven trails cover about 5.75 miles, and connecting paths through the park let runners put together 10 miles or more.
Habitats
The preserve protects upland hardwood forest, mixed pine and hardwood, pine forest, floodplain along Reedy Creek, and wooded ponds. It's some of the most extensive forest left in northeast Charlotte, and it feels far from the city once you're a few hundred yards down the trail.
Tips
Pick up a trail map at the nature center, and follow the colored blazes. Mornings are cooler and best for birds. After rain, low spots by the creek get muddy, so wear shoes you don't mind dirtying, and check yourself for ticks after summer hikes.
See the rest of the park
Preserve Trails is one of 6 featured areas at Reedy Creek Park.