Page 21 - Burke County NC 2023

Lake James

eventually connect Morganton to Asheville, circle
Lake James, and connect with other state trail
systems, and when complete, will be about 100 miles
long. Access the trail near the Linville boat access
on NC Highway 126.

The Catawba River Greenway system is a nearly
5-mile network of paved, accessible trails with five
access points. The trail connects Morganton’s premier
recreational facilities from the Catawba River Soccer
Complex to Freedom Park and Catawba Meadows
Park, terminating within a few blocks of the newly
revitalized historic courthouse square downtown.

McGalliard Falls Park, at 1400 Falls Road NW off of
Church Street in Valdese, is a popular gathering spot
for picnics and recreational activities. The park has
a volleyball court, a nature trail, picnic facilities and
restrooms in addition to the natural attraction of the
falls. The picnic shelter may be rented by contacting
Nature’s the Valdese Recreation Department.

For more on recreation opportunities in Burke County:
Playground DiscoverBurkeCounty.com

H ere in the piedmont of the Blue Ridge includes a 17-mile loop for mountain bikers, and drive-
Mountains, we are fortunate to live where
to campsites that sit beside the Jacob Fork River.
parks offer us shade and recreation, miles
River and its tributaries. Reservations and information:
of biking and hiking trails, the amazing Linville Gorge, Miles of trout fishing can be found at the Jacob Fork
outdoor events, and the Catawba River Greenway. We 828-433-4772
are Nature’s Playground!
Linville Gorge is the deepest gorge in the eastern
With 2023 being North Carolina’s Year of the Trail, United States and is fondly nicknamed the Grand
you’ll definitely want to lace up your books or strap Canyon of the East. This stunning destination is part
on a life vest and hit the land or water trails in one of of the 12,000-acre Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.
these great Burke County locations. There is a trail for The steep walls of Linville Gorge enclose the Linville
everyone - bikers, hikers, paddlers, and riders. River for 12 miles, with hiking access points and a
favorite: to see the Linville Falls.
Lake James State Park offers a variety of adventures Silver Creek Golf Club
in its 6,000-plus acres of fun including hiking, biking, The Fonta Flora State Trail is one of Burke County’s
swimming, boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, and newest trails for mountain bikers and hikers. It will
educational programs and events.
The Paddy’s Creek area of the park offers a beach OHANA MUD RUN
with a roped swimming area, along with kayak In the Bennick Campground, the annual Ohana Mud Run
and paddle board rentals, and concessions during offers a challenging 1-mile course with a dozen-plus
summer months. The park also has seen the obstacles, all in the mud, all the time! Giant
installation of new biking trails, boat-in camping sprinklers, slides, rope crawls, and
areas, and an accessible fishing pier. Reservations big mud hills enhance the fun as
and information: 877-722-6762 teams and families compete
to the finish line. Ohana Mud
Run benefits area social
South Mountains State Park is the largest state park services. Visit
in North Carolina, and includes tent, equestrian, and ohanamudrun.com
R/V camping in this rugged destination. Featuring to register.
elevations up to 3,000 feet, the High Shoals Falls 80-
foot waterfall and mountain streams, the state park

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