Regional Natural Areas

(Click on name of site for more detailed information.)

Allison Woods

Open by appointment only, the 1,000 acre Allison Woods strives to conserve and enhance the unique natural, historical and cultural attributes of the site and the William Locke Allison Jr. Forest Preserve. The outdoor education center is operated by a foundation and serves K-12 school groups, teachers, senior citizen groups, clubs and the general public. Allison Woods was designated a site of regional importance in the 1996 Iredell County Natural Heritage Inventory and a National Historical Site in 1995. The site contains miles of hiking trails, bottomlands, hardwood and pine stands, bogs, a tributary to a major river, natural springs, open fields and ponds and historic buildings.

Fort Dobbs

One of 27 North Carolina state historic sites, the facility is open limited hours and for special events. The site's nature trail is approximately one-half-mile long and features native wild plants and trees. Fifteen picnic tables under a covered shelter are also located at the site. Special events during the year focus on military life and domestic skills of the eighteenth century.

Iredell County Outdoor Education Center

Designated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission as a North Carolina Wild Site, the 45 acre setting is perfect for hosting environmental education classes sponsored by the NC Wildlife Resource Commission or the Iredell County Outdoor Education Staff. Topics of interest and classes can cover skills such as Tree Indentification, Stream Study, Wildlife Tracking and Identification and more. The site also includes a ropes challenge course, a 50' rappelling/climbing tower and a primitive camping area which accommodates approximately 24 people. By reservation only.

Iredell Museums, Inc.

With grounds available year round that are adjacent to the Statesville Greenway, the Iredell Museums' heritage site includes 33 acres of walking trails and wooded areas with creek, natural bog and mature forest that contain a variety of trees and wildflowers. Blending the natural environment with the heritage of the area, the museum also offers special programs that relate to the colonial lifestyle of the late 18th century for teachers, students and other groups by appointment or during special events.

Lake Norman State Park

The park serves the general public, students, and other groups with a variety of regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs year round. Park Rangers and volunteers offer owl prowls, insect walks, nature trips and wildflower walks among others. In addition to being situated on the largest man-made lake in North Carolina, the park also offers its own 33-acre lake. With more than 1,500 acres of forests and fields to explore, the facility also offers boating, camping, fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming, picnic shelters and a community building.