Rock Springs Nature Preserve Trail

Carolina Thread Trail signage (Credit: NCNATUREGIRL)

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Rock Springs Nature Preserve is home to two looped trails totaling one mile. The segment designated as Carolina Thread Trail is 0.6 miles. This preserve includes an amphitheater, an outdoor classroom and extensive playground area.

Trail Uses

Location

Denver (NC)

Length

0.60 miles, One Way

Difficulty

Easy

Surface

Gravel/Crushed stone, Natural surface, Pavement

Motorized Vehicles

Not Permitted

Fees

Pets

Permitted on leash

Parking Spaces

Restrooms

Yes

Hours

Dawn - Dusk

Details
Trail Map
Directions
Comments (4)
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Details

Description

Near the Denver, NC community is the Rock Springs Park Preserve, a public park that offers a large playground, event shelter, amphitheater and an outdoor classroom/wildlife viewing area. An asphalt and gravel loop trail connects to a natural surface trail. The Carolina Thread Trail portion of 0.6 miles will eventually connect to the existing Forney Creek Trail, about two miles to the south, near Sally's YMCA.

This 108-acre preserve is protected by Catawba Lands Conservancy. The majority of the forest is dry oak-hickory with pines dominating the tops of the ridges. River birch, yellow poplar and sycamore grow in the floodplain areas, along with other wetland plant species. The habitat surrounding the wildlife viewing area is home to Box turtle, barred owl, white-tailed deer and numerous types of birds.

Trail Manager

Visit Lincoln County's website for more information or contact;

Lincoln County
206 Gamble Dr. Suite D
Lincolnton, NC 28092
704-748-1518
recreation@lincolncounty.org
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Featured Post

Trail Power: Economic study shows how trails benefit communities

For trail users and supporters, it’s no secret that access to the outdoors brings many benefits. Better health for users of course, but also positive economic and environmental impacts for communities. Thanks to a recent study about the Carolina Thread Trail network, we can now assign a monetary value to many of these intangibles.

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Trail Tips

Know Where to Go

Use a map to plan your activity and stay oriented while on the trails. Smart devices are making this easier, so don’t hesitate to bring one along.

Find geocaches near Rock Springs Nature Preserve Trail
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Picnic Area

Playground

Restroom

Trailhead

Directions

Trailhead Information

Parking Address and Trailhead Location: Rock Springs Nature Preserve - 6684 Pine Ridge Dr, Denver, NC 28037 MAP

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Comments (4)

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February 23, 2024

Thanks so much for your comment Rita. So sorry to hear that you had a similar experience about the trail being confusing and need more signage. We did pass your feedback and others' on to the trail manager out there, and encouraged them to address the signage issue. Thank you for using the Thread Trail, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other concerns!

February 23, 2024

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, and I'm sorry to hear the trail was confusing due to a lack of signage. We have shared your feedback and others' with the trail manager, so hopefully that can be remedied soon!

ncnaturegirl

February 14, 2024

I just read JUSTGOWALKING25's comment and it was almost exactly what I told my husband after I hiked this trail today! No trail blazes to reassure you that you are heading in the right direction means that I hiked a total of 2 miles on a 1.2 mile (.6 in and .6 back). I'm thinking that I got off track onto a "deer trail" across the bridge, somewhere near the creek. I wasn't worried about being lost, as it was easy enough to get back to the bridge at the creek, but it was a little disconcerting, so I went back out the same way that I went in.

justgowalking25

February 08, 2024

I was here today and this site and trail are confusing. I saw two entrances for the thread trail. I’d classify them as moderate. They were dirt paths and lots of roots. Thankfully, I've been walking a good bit so it wasn't too strenuous. But some might be disappointed. I came to an area where there were multiple cleared trails and no signs to direct you. Idk if there are other trails beside the thread trail. I wasn't sure if they looped back so I turned around. Better signage or a map of the trail somewhere might be nice. I saw a total of two signs on both trail portions I walked.

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