Head to McDowell Nature Preserve ASAP to Bask In Fall Leaf Perfection

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Looking for a place to enjoy fall leaves in the Charlotte area?

The Charlotte and Lake Wylie area are sporting some seriously beautiful fall leaves right now. My family and I went to the McDowell Nature Preserve last weekend, and we were treated to stunning scenery! The weather is absolutely prime for outdoor strolling, and the leaves around Lake Wylie consist of reds, oranges and yellows.

We walked around the Lake Wylie on the Kingfisher Trail and enjoyed a nice walk with the dogs. Even better, this is a free activity to enjoy! There are plenty of places to park and the trail has enough space for everyone. Also, there is no shortage of photo-worthy spots including benches by the water and more. We will definitely be back to McDowell Nature Preserve!

McDowell Nature Preserve Information:

Follow the signs for the Waterfront Deck once you arrive to see the same trails that I did. The address for the preserve is below…

Address:

15222 York Road
Charlotte, NC 28278

Hours: 

Monday-Saturday: 9am-5pm, Sunday: 1pm-5pm

Camping:

This preserve is convenient to Charlotte but offers up vibes that feel away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. Campers will love these Lake Wylie grounds! Pricing is $36 for county residents and $46 for non-county residents.

You can even rent a whole island for less than $200!

If you don’t like sharing your camping space, have no fear. Rent an entire island on the property, Copperhead Island, for only $134 if you are a Mecklenburg County resident. Non-county residents pay $210 – still a fantastic price for a whole island! Included with your rental is a shelter with an 80 person seating capacity, grills, restrooms, horseshoe pits and more. Head here for more information.

Where is your favorite place to enjoy the fall scenery in Charlotte?

Get up close with nature, donkeys and horses at the Anne Springs Greenway…