Trips You Can Make In Day
Go explore.... and be home for supper !!!!!
There are many wonderful places to visit and have fun for the day within a short distance from Fort Mill. These are some of our favorites.
Anne Close Greenway
Get Close To Nature In the Heart of Fort Mill
The Anne Close Greenway is located 7 miles east of Tega Cay. It is a 2100 acre nature preserve with small lakes, hiking trails, horseback riding and picnic facilities. The old Dairy Barn has been renovated and is a beautiful venue for community events and is available to rent for private functions. Bring your kayak and enjoy the serenity and nature at Lake Haigler. Primitive campsites are available with a reservation. Visit the Thomas Graham or Coltharpe cabins located on the trails. There are several access areas for the preserve. The main entrance for the trail head at the Dairy Barn is at 288 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill SC off of Highway 21 Bypass. The trail head and picnic area at Lake Haigler is located at 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill SC off of Highway 21 Business Route.
McDowell Nature Preserve
The Natural Place To Be
Just 10 minutes away from Tega Cay , McDowell Nature Preserve is located off of Highway 49 on the north eastern side of Lake Wylie. The preserve includes 1132 acres of rolling, wooded terrain on the shoreline of Lake Wylie. There are miles of nature trails, hiking, a campground, picnic areas, a covered picnic pavilion and playgrounds. The Nature Center features live, native creatures and exhibits. There is a paved Track Trail. This easy 1.2 mile loop features scenic views of the creek and offers a close-up look at the diverse tree species that can be found in the park. It is accessible for wheelchairs or strollers. Located at 15222 York Road, Charlotte NC.
Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park
Expand Your Horizons
A little farther up the road, but still only 98 miles west you can enjoy the magnificent 75 mile views, trails and waterfalls at Chimney Rock State Park and Lake Lure. You can hike up or take the elevator up through the tunnel carved into rock and eat at the top at the Old Rock Cafe. Walk the cliff trails where some of the scenes were filmed for "The Last of The Mohicans".
At the bottom of the mountain you can check out the novelty shops and restaurants lining the river banks at Chimney Rock Village. Just around the corner visit Lake Lure, where the mountains rise up out of the water with giant rock faces towering over the town. You might recognize places you saw in the movie "Dirty Dancing". Lake Lure has a swimming beach, Flowering Garden Bridge , Lake Lure Inn and Spa Hotel, Hot Springs.
With an early start, you can travel to Chimney Rock, spend the day and still get home in time for supper. If you want to stay longer, there are lots of lodgings and camp grounds close by.
South Mountain State Park
Experience beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes just 1.5 hours north west of Fort Mill in Connelly Springs, NC.
There are several trails. The one shown here is the High Shoals Loop which leads to High Shoals Falls. The trail is only 1 mile each way. But the last half of a mile is rated strenuous as it is very steep with lots of rocks to climb over and steps going up and down. The creek follows the trail all the way up. There are lots of little waterfalls and swimming holes along the way. And then the big reward at the top !!! Beautiful High Shoals Falls. There is a picnic area and a camp ground. And the drive in is also beautiful country side. You can go for the day , and easily be home in time for supper !
Lansford Canal State Park
History on the River
Go Explore!! and be home for supper. Today's visit was to Lansford Canal State Park. Beautiful trails along the Catawba River banks are part of the Carolina Thread Trail which will eventually run through 15 counties in North and South Carolina. This area is known for the largest stand of the rare rocky shoals spider lilies. The bloom is normally at peak in the month of June. This year the water levels were too high, so most of the blooms were under water. The old canal system made the river commercially navigable from 1820 to 1835. The remnants of the old canal and dam are still visible along the trails The park is located at 2051 Park Drive, Catawba SC