With trails, parks, playgrounds, kayaking and greenways, McAdenville has something for everyone. The South Fork River Trail of the Carolina Thread Trail offers hiking and mountain biking while the downtown area provides an escape for runners and cyclists. The Boathouse offers guided kayak tours and much more. Visitors and residents alike enjoy visiting the U.S. National Whitewater Center and the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, located minutes from downtown McAdenville.
The Carolina Thread Trail is your regional network of connected greenways, trails, and blueways that reaches 15 counties, two states, and 2.9 million people. There are over 300 miles of trails and 170 miles of blueways open to the public with a goal of building 1,500 miles of trails connecting 88 municipalities in the Charlotte region. The Thread Trail preserves natural areas and is a place for recreation, transportation, and conservation. This is a landmark project that provides public and community benefits for people of every age, every background and in every community.
Catawba Riverkeeper’s new outdoor gear shop/canteen/kayak rental hub located right here in McAdenville.
The Boathouse is located next to the parking lot of the South Fork River Trail and R.Y. McAden Canoe and Kayak Launch in McAdenville, NC.
As you come off the water or the trail, you’re invited to stop in for a restroom break, shop for outdoor apparel and gear, and enjoy a local craft beer or seltzer.
The Boathouse is also the meeting site for Catawba Riverkeeper’s Half Day Guided Tour kayak program and the Paddle, Bike, Run Series powered by Ortho Carolina.
Proceeds from the used gear shop and draft beer sales support Catawba Riverkeeper’s mission to protect local water quality and enhance McAdenville’s greatest asset, the South Fork River.
Location:
115 Willow Drive, McAdenville, NC
Just off 1-85, 20 minutes from Uptown Charlotte
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is the Carolinas’ garden for all seasons, providing guests a chance to reconnect with nature by creating an inspiring, unforgettable garden experience that will create lifelong memories with friends and family. Located within 380 acres on the banks of Lake Wylie, spectacular gardens, sparkling fountains, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, a visitor pavilion, a garden store, and nature trails await the visitor.
Companion peaks at Crowders Mountain State Park — The Pinnacle and Crowders Mountain — offer challenging hikes, towering cliffs and 25-mile views of the surrounding Piedmont. Eleven trails range from pastoral to strenuous, including the Ridgeline Trail, which links to Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. A nine-acre lake offers choice spots for fishing or an opportunity to try canoeing with rentals available.
The Piedmont’s Kings Mountain State Park has two fishing lakes and miles of forested trails perfect for supreme Kings Mountain hiking. The land sits adjacent to Kings Mountain National Military Park, one of many national park Revolutionary War sites. Local crowds flock to the park during regularly scheduled special events, especially every November when living history demonstrations are held at the park’s replica 1800s Piedmont farm.
Since 2001, whitewater has been creating opportunities to bring people together outdoors at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Whitewater Center is designed and operated as an outdoor center offering more than 30 different recreational activities. Every element and activity is focused on supporting an all-encompassing experience around the outdoor lifestyle. Additionally, the Whitewater Center hosts international competitions in a variety of sports along with numerous festivals and events on a recurring basis.
The Whitewater Center is currently comprised of over 1,300 acres of protected land offering 50 miles of trail access to the Catawba River and Long Creek. The Center’s goal is to continue to increase the size of these protected lands and promote even greater access through land acquisition and natural resource management. Whether you visit to ride 50 miles of single-track trail or simply enjoy eating a meal by the whitewater course, we are certain that you will meet new people and connect with old friends in a shared experience outside.
Cultural arts and entertainment in the McAdenville area includes performing arts, live concerts and various types of museums