Catawba County Parks

Encompassing nearly 1,500 total acres of preserved natural habitat, Catawba County Parks offer an array of amenities embedded into large-scale, beautifully scenic and highly diverse habitats that allow visitors to immerse themselves in Catawba County's great outdoors.

Bakers Mountain Park
Located at the highest elevation point in the county (1,780 feet), this 189-acre park offers nearly 6 miles of easy to advanced trails that are a haven for hikers and are often used as training ground for tackling the nearby Appalachian Trail. The park's trail system ascends over creeks and through mature Chestnut Oak forest to a mountaintop observation deck with stunning year-round views. The park also features a paved literacy trail perfect for getting youngsters engaged with the outdoors.

Mountain Creek Park
Mountain biking is at the heart of this 606-acre park, which is located on the northwestern tip of Lake Norman. Catawba County's newest outdoor destination features 19.52 miles of multi-use trails, including some bike-only trails and a paved ADA-accessible trail. Other major amenities include hiking trails, an adventure playground, pickleball courts, a paddle launch, a fishing pier and a dog park.

Riverbend Park
Named after its idyllic location along the Catawba River, this 690-acre parks's 19.7-mile trail system winds through two distinct habitats - densely wooded upland forest popular with hikers and preserved native grasslands affectionately known as "trail runner's heaven." Visitors to Riverbend also enjoy river access for paddling, a dog park, and an observation deck perfect for viewing Oxford Dam or casting a line.

St. Stephens Park
Whatever you decide to do at this 9-acre park, don't forget to bring your dog. The park's signature one-acre off-leash dog park offers unfettered play time for Fido and has become a beloved hangout for locals and their four-legged companions. This suburban oasis on the outskirts of Hickory also features a playground, cornhole, agility equipment for dogs, a paved literacy trail, and a wooded 1/3-mile hiking loop.