Discovery/Interpretive Trail

This interpretive trail begins at the kiosk outside the group camp gate, located at 2056 Hanging Rock Park Road. The trail surface is gravel, dirt, and rock. The trail passes five numbered posts and interpretive signs pointing out significant locations in what was once the middle of the bustling Civilian Conservation Corps Camp 3422. This camp was home to hundreds of CCC enrollees from 1935 to 1942. The men who lived here built the park roads and most of the facilities, which are still in use, including the bathhouse, picnic shelters, lake, and trails.

This trail begins at the west end of the visitor center parking lot, located at 1005 Visitor Center Drive, at the wooden handrail. The trail immediately crosses Hanging Rock Park Road. The trail starts out asphalt and turns to gravel after passing the intersection with Rock Garden Trail. A wide, gently sloping trail leads downhill to a wooden observation deck with seating for safe views of the tall, burbling falls. A set of wooden stairs takes adventurous hikers and dogs to a shallow catch pool at the base of the waterfall.

This short hike is great for kids and adults alike. There is a self-guided hike along this trail that features various points of interest. Walk along the headwaters of Little Creek and explore the banks for water bugs and reptiles. Be on the lookout for woodpeckers and box turtles along the trail!

The Rolling View TRACK Trail is a 0.75-mile loop through a mixed pine forest along the edge of Falls Lake. Look for the effects of prescribed burning on the landscape.

The Beaverdam TRACK Trail is a 0.6-mile hike one way (1.2 miles round trip). Enjoy a hike through through a mixed pine forest along the edge of Beaverdam Lake that leads to a wildlife observation platform overlooking Duck Cove.

This trail offers scenic views of Pilot Mountain pinnacle and vistas of the surrounding mountains, leading hikers through a unique fire-based forest ecosystem. Trail has activities for children. Trail starts at the upper side of summit parking area behind the restroom.

The Merchants Millpond State Park TRACK Trail follows the Coleman Trail, an easy and flat 2 mile loop. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the forest while exploring the habitats that surround Merchants Millpond.

The Lumber River State Park TRACK Trail is an easy 0.5 mile loop along Griffin's Bluff. The Trail features interpretive panels and an observation deck overlooking Griffin's Whirl, a unique reverse flow area in the river.

With the trailhead near the visitor center, the Dragonfly trial is ideal for all ages. This path is completely paved and easily accessible to wheelchair and stroller. This .15-mile trail (round-trip) has various nature displays along the way. Interactive lift-and-drop panels provided interesting and fun facts about the plants and animals found at Lake Norman State Park!

The Lake Shore Trail is a beautiful, scenic footpath along the lake shore. It is designed to accommodate an array of fitness levels as it has shortcuts (3 miles round trip) and extensions (6.3 miles round trip). Voted by Charlotte a must see trail - it is sure to impress.

The Lake Norman State Park TRACK Trail adventures were designed for use on the Lakeshore Trail and the Short Turn Trail.