Ready to get outside? Hickory’s parks are calling! From mountaintop lookouts to riverside trails, playgrounds, and peaceful nooks, Catawba County’s four parks have a little something for everyone. Hike, bike, paddle, or play—there’s a new adventure waiting at every turn. Bring the kids, bring the dog, or just bring your curiosity, and discover your next favorite spot in the great outdoors.
Pick Your Park Personality
For the View Seekers – Bakers Mountain Park
Step into the treetops and see Catawba County like never before. Bakers Mountain Park sits at the county’s highest point at 1,780 feet, with miles of trails winding over creeks and through mature Chestnut Oak forest. The paths lead to a mountaintop observation deck, where you can pause, take it all in, and experience Hickory in full bloom. Along the way, every turn offers a little reward—sunlight dancing through the trees, a glimpse of wildlife, or the perfect spot to catch your breath. Exploring with kids? The paved LITeracy Trail makes reading, movement, and outdoor discovery an unforgettable adventure.
Local Tip: Don’t forget your camera! On a clear day, the observation deck serves up views that stretch nearly 75 miles across the surrounding landscape.
For the Trail Explorers – Mountain Creek Park
Gear up for action at Mountain Creek Park, a 606-acre hub of outdoor thrills on the northwestern tip of Lake Norman in Sherrills Ford. Designed with mountain biking in mind, the park features 19.5 miles of multi-use trails. Roughly 18 miles of technical single-track—with about 4 miles reserved for bikes and the rest shared with hikers—wind through the woods with jumps, berms, rollers, sweeping turns, and steep descents that keep riders on their toes. Beyond the trails, explorers of all ages can climb and play in the treehouse-style adventure playground, paddle a canoe or kayak, fish off the pier, or play pickleball.
Local Tip: Endless routes, endless fun! At Mountain Creek Park, the trail network lets you mix, match, and explore a new adventure every time you visit.
For the Riverside Wanderers – Riverbend Park
If your perfect park day includes water views and winding trails, Riverbend Park belongs on your list. This 690-acre park features 1.25 miles of shoreline along the Catawba River and 19.7 miles of trails that meander through freshwater wetlands, native grasslands, and shaded upland forest. Launch a canoe or kayak just below Oxford Dam, cast a line from the bank, or follow the shoreline paths for some of the best scenery in the county. Picnic tables tucked near the water make it easy to pause, kick back, and enjoy Hickory at a slower pace.
Local Tip: Found your favorite view? Claim it. Open shoreline spots and sunny meadows are perfect for a picnic or a quiet moment outdoors.
For the Family & Four-Legged Crew – St. Stephens Park
Everyone’s invited, paws included. St. Stephens Park is a welcoming 9-acre neighborhood favorite featuring a one-acre off-leash dog park where pups can run free, make furry friends, and take on agility equipment made just for them. Kids can climb and explore the playground while grown-ups join a game of cornhole nearby. Plus, the paved LITeracy Trail winds through butterfly-friendly gardens with interactive story stations, and a peaceful 1/3-mile wooded loop offers an easy nature reset. A paws-itively perfect park day.
Local Tip: Visiting with a smaller pup? There’s a dedicated area just for dogs under 30 pounds so they can play safely and comfortably.
Love the Parks? Help Us Keep Them Beautiful
Exploring Hickory’s great outdoors is fun, but it’s even better when everyone does their part to protect it. From quiet trails to scenic riverbanks, Catawba County’s parks are perfect for adventure, relaxation, and discovery—but they rely on thoughtful visitors to stay this way. By following Outdoor NC’s 7 Leave No Trace principles—from sticking to trails to leaving nature as you found it—you can enjoy our parks responsibly and help preserve them for future generations. Making it your “nature” to protect the outdoors is easy, rewarding, and meaningful.
In 2026, Visit Hickory is continuing its Park Stewardship Days, a series of hands-on volunteer events in partnership with Catawba County Parks, Outdoor NC, Keep Catawba County Beautiful, and other local organizations. These events give residents, visitors, families, and groups a chance to care for the parks we all love—maintaining trails, protecting wildlife habitats, and preserving scenic areas—while enjoying the outdoors. Launched in fall 2025 with successful events at Riverbend Park and Bakers Mountain Park, the initiative is building momentum—and you can be part of it.
This spring, join us at Mountain Creek Park on April 18 and St. Stephens Park on May 16 from 9–11:30 AM. Open to the public, these events are a fun, hands-on way for locals and visitors alike to support conservation, connect with nature, and keep Hickory’s parks beautiful for generations to come. Lend a hand, explore the trails, and help our parks thrive—you’ll be making a difference while enjoying the outdoors.
