Dunn’s Mountain Park and Dan Nicholas Park Trails - Salisbury, NC
“We all are broken, that’s how the light gets in.” - Ernest Hemingway
“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” - Kurt Vonnegut
The Story -
On a cold and cloudy Saturday morning, Ginger, Sophie, and I hiked three miles on a combination of trails at the beautiful Dunn’s Mountain and Dan Nicholas Parks in Salisbury, North Carolina. We were looking for short, fun, and interesting hikes close to home that we hadn’t done before, and Dunn Mountain and Dan Nicholas Park Trails were excellent choices. I was not familiar with either park prior to Saturday, but as usual, I was pleasantly surprised with both.
Dunn’s Mountain Park -
Dunn’s Mountain Park (DMP) is an eighty-three-acre rock quarry-turned-nature and historical preserve in the heart of North Carolina. The area of the park is no stranger to quarries as granite has been mined in the area for centuries. This site, in particular, was first quarried in the early 1700s. We started on the one and only mostly paved and easy trail, slowly winding up the mountain, literally passing hundreds of massive granite outcroppings along the way. The gigantic rounded boulders (We joked it was Stonehenge Lite) formed millions of years ago when molten crystallized rock spewed upward from inside the earth, but stopped short of penetrating the surface. Over time, the plutonic boulders were exposed by erosion, leaving massive vertical outcroppings that protrude out of Dunn's Mountain like teeth from the gums of a skeleton. In addition to the fascinating outcroppings, the trail included a vintage blacksmith shop and several overlooks with long-range views of the area that extend more than 50 miles on a clear day. We were unable to see much on Saturday, but the Park Ranger stated we could see the Charlotte skyline, as well as Pilot Mountain and the Uwharrie Mountains on a clear day.
Dan Nicholas Park -
Since our hike at Dunn’s Mountain Park was relatively quick, we opted to explore another nearby park in the area, the Dan Nicholas Park (DNP). The DNP is truly a paradise for families with small children, offering a ten-acre lake for paddle boating and fishing, the Wildlife Adventures Zoo, tennis courts, picnic shelters, the Hurley Family Water Park, playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoes, ball fields, miniature golf, a carousel, gem mining, a freshwater aquarium, and a miniature train ride for children. Wow! Unfortunately, since we visited the park in the off-season, the majority of the park’s amenities were closed. So we opted to take the easy two-mile trail around Lake Murtis. We crossed Foltz Bridge, an eclectic former railroad overpass converted into a pedestrian walkway, and enjoyed the views of the calm lake, vowing to return in the fall to experience the changing colors of all the trees that surrounded the water. Toward the end of our hike, we encountered a bald eagle from Wildlife Adventures Zoo, enjoying an afternoon fishhead snack. I’m sure the eagle saw us well before we saw him! Seeing the eagle and spending some time admiring it was quite unexpected, and a pleasant surprise to end our day.
Spill The Tea -
Ginger and I enjoyed the uniqueness of Dunn’s Mountain Park, feeling more like the mountains of Western North Carolina and not Central Piedmont. We were however somewhat disappointed in a black chain link fence that lined both sides of the trail all the way to the top, preventing us from getting too close to the massive stones and springs, but maybe that’s the point. It is still impressive to see the views, the enormous granite outcroppings, and the springwater-filled quarry from a distance. While maybe not worth a visit by itself, when combined with the Dan Nicholas Park Trail I would gladly return. Perhaps in the summer or fall!
Wrap It Up -
Overall, Dunn's Mountain Park and Dan Nicholas Park Trails are excellent destinations for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors and unique environments not usually found in this area. Combined, they are definitely worth a visit. So why not head to Salisbury and check it out for yourself? You won't be disappointed.
Sassafras and Skinks