Cub Creek Park in Wilkesboro is a sprawling 200-acre haven that blends natural beauty with…read morecommunity-friendly amenities. Whether you're here for a quiet walk or a full afternoon of activity, the park delivers. Its walking trails are especially impressive, winding through shaded woods, open fields, and along the namesake creek, which is stocked for trout fishing and part of North Carolina's Mountain Heritage Trout Program. With plenty of parking and easy access from downtown Wilkesboro, it's a perfect spot for locals and travelers alike. One of the park's standout features is its growing support for electric vehicles. A charging station near the heart of the park includes four connections, two CCS fast chargers rated at 350 kW and two CHAdeMO units at 100 kW, making it a convenient stop for EV drivers. While charging, visitors can enjoy the park's excellent facilities, including eight pickleball courts that have become a local favorite. Whether you're a seasoned player or just curious, the courts are well maintained and often buzzing with friendly competition. I am not a pickleball player but there was a tournament going on this evening that I stayed to watch for a bit. Beyond recreation, Cub Creek Park is surrounded by civic and cultural landmarks. It's just minutes from the Wilkes Heritage Museum and the historic courthouse square, making it easy to pair outdoor time with a bit of local history. The park also features a dog park, inclusive playground, butterfly garden, and picnic shelters, each thoughtfully designed to welcome everyone. [Review 1207 of 2025 - 4392 in North Carolina - 24759 overall]

This is a beautiful trail that leads to a 250 ft waterfall, with some easy hiking, some steep…read morefootsteps. Was easy to moderate for little kids and adults alike. The total hike is 30 mins (to and fro) and has nice marked trees for identification, streams, creeks and bridges. There is some beautiful foliage and trees along the way. There are two sites (start of waterfall and midway) each making for a beautiful photo opportunity.

Paved, with packed gravel surface part of the way, then many steps to get to lower viewing area of…read morecascade falls. Some incline and decline (out and back trail).

The park is pretty remote, with only occasional cell service (a good thing or a bad thing depending…read moreon one's needs). The parking really close to the mountain is handicap only, so the intention is for most people to walk a 4.5 mile loop that goes around the mountain and then up it on the way back. It is a substantial climb, both down into a gully with an impressive waterfall and up the mountain itself. The rock does offer wide-spanning views. The infrastructure was not in ideal shape at the time of my visit, with some water fountains down and other limitations in amenities. I also found the trail setup a bit confusing as following marks led me once to a dead end and in another case, I had to hike on a gravel road a bit to get back to the trail and that wasn't marked clearly as the right way to go. While these things could be improved, the park is an excellent resource and as is standard practice in NC (but not in SC or VA), is free to enter.

Great place to come hike. Lots to see & do. Downside is that kids are allowed to come here & make…read morenonstop noise.

Fantastic wooden playground! My 2 year old loved it. It's all wooden or roped with the exception of…read morethe slides. Bridges, nets, rope climbs throughout! I reallllly appreciate how this playground is designed ie not having multiple cutouts at the very top (so I don't have to worry about my toddler falling). This playground reminds me of the ones I played on way back in the 90s. Lots of parking. Nature center on site. I will be back when in the area!

We were visiting from out of town and needed something for our little ones to do! This playground…read morewas AMAZING! Beautiful area and the playground is 10/10!

Found this park on a recent trip to the area. Provided a great place for the grandchildren.read more

Spacious and beautiful playground. This park has a large…read morelayout, with play equipment spaced out, we had fun exploring and walking to the different sites. There is plenty of sun and shade and you can't beat the mountainous backdrop. There is not a dedicated "toddler" area, but plenty of bucket swings and grass to play/roam. Highlight of the park is the 40 ft metal slide. It's a great time for all! I regret, I did not get a photo, but we were having too much fun!

Beautiful small park with excellent view below and above. Picnic area with two different camping…read morestoves. One was covered. Porta potties that appear to be temporary as the area is under construction.

This is such a special spot in Boone. The drive is crazy steep, but it is absolutely worth trekking…read moreup to see the top of Howard's Knob. You cannot find a better view of the town and beautiful mountains surrounding the area. Plenty of opportunities to snap some amazing pictures unlike anywhere else in the high country. During the winter months the park gate is closed, otherwise the daytime hours are clearly posted. There is a fair amount of parking spots and plenty of picnic tables (some are sheltered) and trash cans. Please don't forget to respect the neighbors and the park boundaries.

Lovely park in downtown blowing rock. There's a parking lot that makes it easy to access. Paved…read morewalking trails around a small pond, dog walking bags, trash cans, etc available. When I was there, there were a bunch of landscaping people tending to the grounds. We saw deer and ducks on the park. People were fishing and that was allowed, but it was catch and release only. This is a nice park in the middle of Blowing Rock right next to the swimming pool and behind a bunch of shops and restaurants. Nice little getaway smack in the middle of town!

Such a beautiful but small park!…read more The walking trail around the lake is about .50 miles so we did it a couple times. Leashed dogs are welcomed. The botanical gardens are beautiful with the red bridges and gazebo. There are restrooms available. Recommend if you are in the area.

Wonderful park with well marked trails Feels like a hike…read moremore than a walk which is awesome

The Photograph Club from Trilogy had scheduled a fall photo shot for today with the goal of taking…read morein Murray's Mill Historical Site and the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, both in the same area. While at the Bridge, I mentioned that I was also considering going over to Riverbend Park which was only about 20 additional minutes from where we were. A couple of the folks decided to join me. I've been here probably a half a dozen times but never checked in and left a review although I did post some photos. Our group leader was familiar with the Park because she had hiked the trails often but was not aware of the Dam for Lake Hickory which is just upstream. The other lady was aware of the Dam but did not realize that there was a Park just downstream. When you pull into the main parking lot, at the back side is a small road with a sign that says "Trailheads" to the right and Picnic Rest Rooms to the Left. Not obvious but if you take the Left Fork, you go down the hill to the River. At the bottom of the hill is another parking lot next to the Catawba River. When you first to into the lot, there is an observation deck that extends out into the edge of the Catawba River. Great view of Fall foliage from here. If you go back past the covered picnic shelter you end up at the Canoe Launch area. Another beautiful area. We missed it but they open up the dam on occasion for the Canoe's and Kayaker's to create whitewater. At that time. all the rocks you see in the photographs are submerged. A little past peak color but the maples with their shades of rea were still beautiful.

This is easily one of the coolest and most beautiful parks I have taken my children to. Both…read morecreative and esthetically pleasing, you really must bring your children here. Restrooms are here as well.

The kids and I love this place. Listen...I've lived in several states, I've seen all types of…read moreparks...this place does NOT disappoint. There are so many unique and completely fun pieces of playground equipment. Rope walks, sliding swings, rope wall, etc. Additionally there are great picnic areas and shelters, grills, and a zip line course. But also a greenway to ride bikes or walk yourself or your pups. And, let's add the multiple baseball fields that are a great place to practice with your peers or your kiddos. I absolutely recommend this gem. Its an awesome, FREE, place to spend a beautiful day in Morganton.

Easy parking to head of the trail taking you to the waterfall…read more The cascades. So beautiful. We enjoyed reading about different trees & vegetation along the way. Terrific short hike with easy to moderate difficulty. Great hike with kids. Rewarding to arrive and just sit and listen/watch the falls.

Great rest stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway with picnic tables, overlook, and hiking trail with…read moreoverlooks of the Cascade Falls. Hike is easy to moderate and 30-45 minutes round trip. Restroom facilities are currently not available.