This park is centered around the Hickory Music Factory (which is closed now) but also has some…read moreoutside features. The basketball court was in good shape but definitely don't miss a pass as out of bounds is a pretty steep drop and you're chasing your ball for a while. There is a nice playground here too with a spiral slide. The park is fenced in, which will keep the little ones from wandering off. At the park entrance is an 8 foot tall white obelisk and four plaques that detail the Miracle of Hickory, telling the story of Hickory's historic polio hospital that was here for a time. In 1944, a polio epidemic spread across Western North Carolina. In rapid response, the Hickory community rallied together to construct an emergency hospital to treat polio. The hospital was conceived and built in just 54 hours and experienced one of the lowest mortality rates in the country thanks in part to the revolutionary Kenny method of treatment. These events became known as the "Miracle of Hickory." There is a dedicated parking lot though small. [Review 15399 overall, 902 of 2021, number 2949 in North Carolina.]

Ivey Arboretum, formerly known as Carolina Park, is regarded as one of Hickory's first true parks…read more In the 1870's, the property possessed a mineral spring that was thought to have healing waters, which attracted both residents and tourists. Since then, the land has undergone several purchases and changes to reach its current state as the Ivey Arboretum at Sally M. Fox Park. The park features public art benches, sculptures by local artists, and approximately 250 different species of trees and plantings. It is well shaded and has walking paths. Street parking is nearby on some sides and neighboring streets. [Review 15866 overall - 3084 in North Carolina - 1370 of 2021.]

One of Hickory's medium-sized parks, Southside Heights has a small parking lot for perhaps two…read moredozen cars, as well as a playground, picnic shelter, basketball court and a multipurpose field. A concrete structure with restrooms is much appreciated. The shelter is quite secluded in a corner of the park and surrounded by trees on two sides. There is a grill and tables. Very lovely. The park is in very good condition. [Review 15872 overall - 3090 in North Carolina - 1376 of 2021.]

This large park is not far from I-40 and might be a useful stop to stretch your legs though the…read moreCatawba County rest areas (https://www.yelp.com/biz/catawba-county-i-40-eastbound-rest-area-claremont and https://www.yelp.com/biz/catawba-county-i-40-westbound-rest-area-claremont) are nearby. Multiple picnic shelters, most of which have charcoal grills and power outlets available. Horseshoe pits. Playgrounds. A paved quarter-mile walking trail! If you're here, don't miss the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge https://www.yelp.com/biz/bunker-hill-covered-bridge-claremont?hrid=twO_8DgV2Wt_6oz9CihX6Q. It's a mile and a half east and worth the stop. [Review 16909 overall - 3236 in North Carolina - 425 of 2022.]

The picnic area was very scenic. Loved the gazebo. Trails were nice, especially the new lakeside…read moreboardwalk. I haven't tried the mountain bike trails yet. Maybe another time. Here's the BIG negative- the bathroom facilities at the northern end were disgraceful. Totally disgusting. Unusable. I hope there is a plan to rectify this situation.

Hickory City Park has eight lighted tennis courts with an outdoor covered shelter and restrooms…read more There is a large multi-purpose facility with an indoor meeting room. From here, there is access to a paved bikeway and the Lake Hickory Trails, a system of mountain biking and nature trails. The trails have some change in elevation and lead to Geitner-Rotary Park as the opposite end. [Review 15403 overall, 906 of 2021, number 2953 in North Carolina.]

This 7.5 acre park features a multipurpose field, two outdoor basketball courts, a picnic shelter,…read moreplayground equipment, and restroom facilities. The park is quite secluded and the picnic shelter can't be easily seen from the parking area. It's also not handicapped accessible. So keep that in mind. [Review 14532 overall, 30 of 2021, number 2773 in North Carolina.]

Love this campground!! I enjoyed spending the last 4 months there. It has been an enjoyable…read moreexperience for my grandchildren. They have enjoyed all the weekend activities that are provided by Steele Creek staff. very friendly staff. Very clean. Friendly campers have made this an enjoyable summer! Already planning for next year!! Janelle McDougal

I feel I need to share about this place to offer a more fair and balanced view than another…read morereviewer. Once a year in the summer, my husband's family meets at Steele Creek Campground for a day of swimming, eating, and family togetherness. My father-in-law has been coming here since he was young, and my husband and his brothers and sisters came here a lot during their childhood. It's nestled in the gorgeous Blue Ridge mountains and the temperature is perfect during the hot southern summers. The creek water is mountain cold! The park is very clean, although the smaller restrooms near the creek desperately need updating. The pool isn't quite so cold, so the kids like to switch back and forth between that and the creek. There's a big, winding tube slide built into the mountain, which does cost extra. There are two diving boards on the deep part of the creek, and also a putt putt course that looks well kept. This place has a wonderful family atmosphere. The families laugh together and people make friends. My family has not camped here, but we have strolled through the camping areas to check it out. There are a lot of RVs, lots of pop up campers, and a few tents. Lots of kids with bicycles. I grew up camping - mostly at Table Rock - and my siblings and I loved riding our bikes through the campgrounds. And in a park like this you can feel comfortable letting them. Basically, if you want WILDERNESS camping, you're not going to find it at a *campground* in the summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Duh! Giving a 1 star review over seeing RVs and children riding bikes and men without shirts on is unfair and rather...well, snobby and prima donna-ish...for lack of a better word. Steele Creek is a wonderful campground if you know anything about campgrounds and know what to expect in-season.

Jaycee park has an outdoor basketball court, baseball field, playground, restrooms & a concession…read morestand. It's a nice space that takes advantage of the bowl shape to provide some "nosebleed" seating above the outfield. It's quite a large baseball field with a dirt infield and lots of room for spectators. There is a large parking lot at the bottom of the hill and across 15th Avenue. [Review 15402 overall, 905 of 2021, number 2952 in North Carolina.]