Rock Springs Nature Preserve Trail

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
Accessible Experience Walking / hiking / running Paved surface biking
Location
Denver (NC)
Length
0.60 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Easy
Surface
Gravel/Crushed stone, Natural surface, Pavement
Motorized Vehicles
Not Permitted
Fees
No
Pets
Permitted on leash
Parking Spaces
35
Restrooms
Yes
Hours
Dawn - Dusk

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
View website

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Trail Tips

Pace Yourself
Plan to exercise for short time or distance, at a comfortable pace. As you become more active, you can gradually increase your output and notice your endurance as it improves.
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Trailhead Information

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

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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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