# Quest Nature Center at Latta Nature Preserve: Mountain Island Lake Exhibits & Scenic Trails > 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 trails open daily 7:00 AM–sunset - Dates: Sun, Nov 1 – Sun, Feb 28 - Where: Quest Nature Center at Latta Nature Preserve, 6345 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078 - Ages: All ages; Quest building and lakeside nature play area are fully stroller and ADA accessible - Price: Free admission to Quest Nature Center and all Latta Nature Preserve hiking trails; free parking - Schedule: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM–5:00 PM; Sun 1:00 PM–5:00 PM; preserve trails 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/quest-nature-center-at-latta-nature-preserve-mountain-island-lake-exhi--listing-0e3e209cda642065da85e68d ## About Situated on the scenic peninsula of Mountain Island Lake in Huntersville, Latta Nature Preserve is Mecklenburg County's largest nature preserve at 1,460 acres. The state-of-the-art Quest Center serves as the joint environmental education facility for both Mecklenburg County Park and Rec and the Carolina Raptor Center. Inside Quest, kids can marvel at a 3,000-gallon freshwater aquarium filled with native Carolina gar and catfish, hold live non-venomous reptiles, and engage with touchable science exhibits. Outside, families can stroll 16 miles of nature trails weaving along the lake shore, play in the interactive outdoor nature playscape, and picnic on the waterfront terrace. ## Similar picks in Charlotte - [US National Whitewater Center Ice Skating & Winter Trail: Pond Rink & Illuminated Trails](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/us-national-whitewater-center-ice-skating-and-winter-trail-pond-rink-a--listing-b5afe1d91a3e68bcb8e6d7f3) — Nov 18 – Feb 15 · 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM · U.S. National Whitewater Center · All ages · From $25 · checked Nov 5. 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