# McDowell Nature Center & Preserve: Lake Wylie Boardwalks, Live Wildlife & Discovery Room > Place to go for families in the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia area (NC / SC). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sun 1:00 PM–5:00 PM; preserve grounds open daily 7:00 AM–sunset - Dates: Sun, Nov 1 – Sun, Feb 28 - Where: McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, 15222 York Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278 - Ages: All ages; nature center is ADA accessible; stroller-accessible lake boardwalks; playground on site - Price: Free nature center admission, preserve trail access, and free parking - Schedule: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sun 1:00 PM–5:00 PM; preserve grounds open daily 7:00 AM–sunset - Organizer: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation - Official page: https://parkandrec.mecknc.gov - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/mcdowell-nature-center-and-preserve-lake-wylie-boardwalks-live-wildlif--listing-2b2c2c2a1e6aae1019091628 ## About Bordering the scenic shoreline of Lake Wylie in southwest Mecklenburg County, McDowell Nature Preserve spans 1,130 acres of protected Piedmont forest. Inside the climate-controlled Nature Center, children can observe live native snakes, turtles, and salamanders, examine real animal furs and skulls at the touch table, and enjoy natural history storybooks in the discovery nook. Outdoors, families can explore 7 miles of forested trails, including the accessible boardwalks of Copperhead Island and the Piedmont Prairie Trail. Picnic pavilions, lakeview rocking chairs, a children's playground, and free admission make this preserve an exceptional cold-weather family getaway. ## Similar picks in Charlotte - [Map & Compass at McDowell Nature Preserve](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/map-and-compass-at-mcdowell-nature-preserve--listing-7842344846e8ec0efab021c1) — Sun, Nov 15 · 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM · McDowell Nature Center and Preserve · Ages 7+ · checked Oct 20. This hands-on course at McDowell Nature Preserve teaches children ages 7 and up and their adults how to read a topographic map and use a compass, then has them test their new… - [Anne Springs Close Greenway: Winter Trail Walks, Nature Center & Farm Encounters](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/anne-springs-close-greenway-winter-trail-walks-nature-center-and-farm--listing-52031dd8c889d99c99c6a5c6) — Daily 7:00 AM–sunset; Greenway Gateway Visitor Center & Canteen open daily 8:30 AM–5:00 PM · Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill · All ages · From $14 · checked Nov 5. 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Spanning more than 24,000 square feet of real ice across the converted Upper Pond, the US National Whitewater Center offers one of the most distinctive outdoor ice skating… - [Carolina Raptor Center: Autumn Raptor Trail Family Walk (Latta Nature Preserve, Huntersville)](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/carolina-raptor-center-autumn-raptor-trail-family-walk-latta-nature-pr--listing-a5e980e46efd8a307092df39) — Nov 27 – Nov 29 · 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM · Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville · All ages · From $12 · checked Nov 7. 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