15222 South York Road, Charlotte NC 28278
Hours and Contact Information
Monday - Saturday 9 am-5 pm
Sunday 1-5 pm
Closed on Mecklenburg County Holidays
Melissa O'Lenick, Nature Center Manager
(980) 314-1128
melissa.olenick@mecknc.gov
McDowell Nature Center
serves as the gateway to 1,132 acres of McDowell Nature Preserve and is
the resource for educational programs and information on the preserve's
natural communities, flora, and fauna. This oldest preserve in
Mecklenburg County protects mostly forested, rolling terrain along the
banks of Lake Wylie.
Download a Map.
The
Nature Center features live native animals, a discovery hall, and a
gift shop. Visitors can stop and observe nature in action at the Ozone
Garden or the demonstration compost area, or enjoy a natural play area.
Self-interpretive trail guides are available for miles of hiking trails.
A
variety of programs are offered, including paddling tours of Lake Wylie and environmental education courses for all ages.
Other facilities located in the preserve include:
McDowell Campground:
Campground Supervisor: Tasha Owens, MS, CPRP
Email: Tasha.Owens@MeckNC.Gov
-
McDowell Campground, offering a total of 56 reservable campsites. Options range from primitive sites to RV pads with full hookups.
- Copperhead Island (mecknc.gov) - A 20 acre island with hiking trails, group camping ONLY, fishing access
and more. Open daily for public use unless reserved for a special event.
Reserve the entire island or just the main shelter!
The
preserve offers numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors. Boating
enthusiasts can take advantage of the public boat ramps at Copperhead
Island or participate in a guided kayaking tour. There are a number of
fishing docks for public use. Anglers age 16 or older must have a NC
State fishing license.
Shaded playgrounds and a variety of picnic areas can be
used on a first-come-first-served basis, while a few larger shelters and
the waterfront deck are available for reservation. Public restrooms
available at the large shelters, nature center, campground, and
waterfront.
McDowell Nature Preserve has over 7 miles of trail offering hikers and
nature enthusiasts the opportunity to explore a variety of terrain with
scenic views of Lake Wylie, forests, streams, and a piedmont prairie
restoration area. Dogs are welcome but must remain on a 6-foot or
shorter leash at all times. Bicycles are restricted to paved roads
within the preserve.
Download a Map.
Flora and Fauna
McDowell
Nature Preserve protects habitat for at least 119 species of birds, 21
species of mammals, 21 species of reptiles, and 14 species of
amphibians. For a complete list of documented species, download ourvertebrate species checklist.
Among the unusual species that have been found at the Preserve are:
Seminole bat - first record in NC, spotted salamander, Gulf Coast spiny
soft-shelled turtle, and Loggerhead Shrike. McDowell Nature Preserve is
also well known for its diversity of spring ephemeral wild flowers and
is among the best areas in Mecklenburg County to view Pileated
Woodpeckers. The piedmont prairie restoration area of the preserve
provides habitat for a federally endangered plant: Schweinitz's
sunflower, a federal candidate species: Georgia aster, and one rare
plant: prairie dock.
Affiliations
McDowell Nature Center is a proud
member of the North Carolina Association of Environmental Education
Centers and supports Environmental Educator's of North Carolina. The area surrounding the Nature Center is a
certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation..