Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury NC Has Great Family Friendly Playground!

Dan Nicholas Park Playground for Younger Kids ©Katrena

Playground at Dan Nicholas Park in Rowan County NC

If you are looking for a fun, free place to take the kids in the Piedmont with lots of room and loads of opportunities to explore, romp, and get all the energy out, the large playground at Dan Nicholas might be the perfect choice.

I have been visiting Dan Nicholas Park for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories are of watching the bears behind the nature center and feeding the ducks at the lake. Now I take my own daughters to this terrific park that features animals, a huge playground, carousel, train, hiking, paddle boats, fishing, water park, camping, picnic areas, mini golf, ball fields, and much more. There is no charge to enter the park, and you can easily make a day of enjoying the freebies without spending a dime other than the gas money to drive there, but the areas that include a fee are very reasonable.

To say that I like Dan Nicholas Park is an understatement. I got married at Dan Nicholas...right at the bear den. Well, I didn't actually get married in the bear den, but they used to have an outdoor theater where the new and improved bear habitat is now located. I also remember how much I loved the outdoor playground at Dan Nicholas.

Family Fun in Rowan County NC ©Katrena

Dan Nicholas Park Offers a Huge Free Playground

I used to think the playground at Dan Nicholas was so big when I was a kid. They had slides, swings, huge rocks, and lots of space for playing. The huge rocks are still there, and I remember a few of the play areas from my younger days, but now, I just have to say wow! The playground is bigger than ever, still growing and, best of all, it is completely free. Kids can easily spend hours just playing in this awesome playground.

Fun Free Things to do in the Piedmont ©Katrena

The Dan Nicholas playground has three sections with the middle section designed for the youngest kids. The tiny tot area (pictured at the top of this post) is separated by a fence and offers tiny slides and lots of low climbing opportunities. Kids can sit in the "train" and pretend to go for a ride or crawl through tunnels or check out a cool miniature house and more. If the kids are overwhelmed with a large playground, you can always head to the other, smaller playground that is located inside the Wildlife Adventures area.

Dan Nicholas Has Handicap Equipped Playground with Ramps ©Katrena

One large section of the park is handicap equipped – this is the area with the tallest slides and loads of color. Some of the slides offer steps for the younger kids, and many of the play areas feature challenges, such as monkey bars and ladders, for moving up and through the area. A large ramp goes through a large portion of this play area from the wooded side.

Kids Who Love to Climb Love Dan Nicholas! ©Katrena

The older section features a few swings and a really cool spider web for the climbers in the family. I have two climbers. I feel for those other parents out there with climbers too...it can be a challenge to find fun and safe activities!

Huge Free Playground in North Carolina ©Katrena

The adults may be excited that they have benches all around the area, some even in the shade. The main parking area is in sight of the playground and bathroom facilities are beside this area as well. To get to this parking area, make the first right after entering Dan Nicholas and keep going past the mini golf – you'll see the parking lot on the left. The playground is also quite close to lots of other activities like the carousel, train, and nature center.

Family Friendly Things to do in Rowan County Park ©Katrena

Feel free to visit the Dan Nicholas web site to find the current hours of operation, prices, campsites available, and more. Discover more active, interactive, and just plain fun ideas at the Travel NC With Kids site map.