Dunn's Mountain Park in Rowan County NC – Beautiful View

Beautiful View From Dunn's Mountain Park © Katrena

Those who are looking for a great view, nice birding, and a short hike may find Dunn's Mountain Park in Salisbury, North Carolina to be a fun day trip with the family. This park, which opened to the public on November 29, 2006 and is located at 1740 Dunn's Mountain Road, covers quite a bit of land: more than 80 acres while offering a peaceful place to enjoy a picnic and meet some nice folks. Admission is free.

Rocks Along Hiking Trail at Dunn's Mountain Park © Katrena

The hike up Dunn's Mountain is optional. My kids and I decided to walk to the summit and back and enjoyed looking at the foliage, butterflies, birds, and rocks along the way; however, free transportation is provided on Saturdays and Sundays during their regular business hours for those who would rather ride.

Nice View of Rowan County and Surrounding Areas © Katrena

Dunn's Mountain Park in Salisbury NC © Katrena

I had seen Dunn's Mountain numerous times but had never visited the park until recently. They have a nice viewing area at the summit where visitors can see Salisbury and surrounding areas. On a clear day, you might be able to see portions of Charlotte and Mocksville. They have a map inside the visitor's center showing various sites of interest from this mountain-top view.

Learn About Southern Culture © Katrena

See Blacksmith Tools at Dunn's Mountain © Katrena

Another nearby building displays a large number of blacksmith tools. Several shaded picnic tables and benches invite visitors to pack a snack and enjoy the nice view. Bird feeders tended to be pretty busy spots on top of the mountain the day we visited. A guide mentioned that he had enjoyed watching a family of foxes playing on the rocks beyond the fenced area in sight of the main building in 2011 and was quite willing to share information about the park and the area.

Learn About Role of Granite in NC Industry © Katrena

My kids loved to simply walk around and play on the rocks after taking in the view. I remember playing on rocks like that as a child – add a little imagination and they can be as fun as a playground! They do offer a few coin-operated magnified viewing stations or visitors are free to bring binoculars to get a closer look at the animals and sites. A few informational signs also offer some history and information about the park plants and formations.

Day Trip in NC Piedmont © Katrena

Dunn's Mountain Park is peaceful and serene and became a reality through the efforts of quite a few volunteers and generous support of several local residents. People who enjoy natural beauty may find this unassuming park a great spot for quiet contemplation and a nice place for a little rest and renewal and perhaps a picnic lunch. I found it interesting to learn about the granite industry in the area as well. The park is only open on certain dates per their web site. This Rowan County park is near I-85 and you can find directions and contact information here.

Friendly Volunteers at Dunn's Mountain Park © Katrena

Those who are interested in reading about other family-friendly travel destinations in North Carolina may wish to check out my site map for additional articles.