Dan Nicholas Park Lake Murtis Walking Trail - One of Our Favorite Hikes!

I've been visiting Dan Nicholas Park for as long as I remember and even got married in the park, so the park and I go back quite a ways. One of the favorite activities for my crew is to walk around Lake Murtis at the park.

Dan Nicholas Park is located at 6800 Bringle Ferry Road in Salisbury, North Carolina. No admission is charged to enter or park at Dan Nicholas. Here is the easiest way to get to the lake: after entering the park, take the first road to the right. Go straight past the picnic shelters and miniature golf area and park in the parking lot by the large ADA accessible playground and newer bathrooms. From the parking lot, walk through a wooded area with picnic tables and past the carousel, splash pad, and along the walkway to the left of the Animal Adventures. You'll see the lake just past the brown building housing restrooms and a concession stand.

The Lake Murtis walking trail is part of the Carolina Thread Trail and features natural terrain, lots of shaded areas and three bridges. One of the bridges reminds me a bit of Monet's Japanese footbridge painting. If you look away from the lake while standing on Foltz Bridge (the largest one), you can see the small bridge that was used years ago on an older trail around the lake. Yep, I remember walking on that bridge! The trail is easy to navigate but with the natural terrain, those in wheelchairs or who are prone to tripping might need extra help. We've seen quite a few people pushing children in strollers around the lake.

Several folks fish at the lake - you'll need a license to do so. During warmer months, paddle boat rentals are offered. I recommend doing this at cooler times if you wish to enjoy that activity. No swimming is allowed at the lake, but they do have a splash pad nearby. Ensure that your dog is on a leash if you wish to walk around the lake with your furry friend.

The campground is located near the back of the lake to the right of the bridge. An additional, longer trail is located near where the woods start on the right side of the lake near the campground.

You can discover great views and awesome photo opportunities throughout the trail. We've visited during each season of the year, and each one offers a nice variety of native plants and animals to enjoy. Turtles often enjoy sunning on logs in the lake and may come up to visit near the bridge at the back of the lake. We were thrilled to see a blue heron the other day as well. 

We usually pack some seeds and corn or halved grapes to feed the ducks and geese when we visit. Bread and crackers are not recommended for feeding waterfowl. We've seen goslings and ducklings recently at the lake on our walks. The duck groups tend to spread out around the lake. My kids have named a few of them. "Speckles" is one of our favorites.

The staff at Dan Nicholas Park do a great job keeping the park, trails, and facilities clean. This park offers quite a few activities that are free and a few additional activities for reasonable prices, such as the carousel ride and mini zoo with black bears, owls, wolves, bald eagles, and alligator.

Find more information about Dan Nicholas Park, including a map and directions and information about their activities at their official web site. Thank you for visiting Travel NC With Kids. Read more of my articles via the site map, using my search bar, or you may wish to read the articles below:

• Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury NC Has Great Family Friendly Playground!
• Dan Nicholas Campground - Enjoy the Serene Beauty
• Dan Nicholas Park Nature Center in Rowan County
• Meet the Bears at Dan Nicholas Park

Dan Nicholas Park Nature Center in Rowan County

Dan Nicholas Park Nature Center © Katrena

Perhaps you have been marooned along a riverbed amidst rattlesnakes and copperheads under the watchful eye of a kestrel. Or maybe you have simply entered the nature center at Dan Nicholas Park. If you haven't visited this Rowan County park at 6800 Bringle Ferry Road in several years, you might recognize the building nestled behind the totem pole. I can remember a time when it was a large, open room with snakes in the middle and turtles at the back with a back door that led to the tiny bear habitat. The turtles now have a much larger habitat outdoors, and the bears have much more room to move in their habitat designed to look like a rock quarry.

Free Parks and Nature Centers in NC © H.W.

If you enter the Dan Nicholas nature center today, you might catch your breath as you see quite a transformation. The snakes are still there, but the cages rest amidst artificial vegetation. An aquarium houses several fish of various sizes and types. You might see a few frogs or even a chipmunk living out in this building.

Fun Family Activities in Rowan County © Katrena

If someone had led me into the nature center blindfolded for the first time after it was re-designed, I would be hard pressed to guess where I might be standing, even though I have visited the park for many years. Friendly staff members are willing to answer questions about the various animals native to North Carolina. They might hold a snake or bring out an animal from the back room that is not native to the state.

Learn About Animals at Dan Nicholas © Katrena

When we visited Dan Nicholas Park today, a lady who was also visiting remarked about how nice the nature center looked. I agree. One thing that makes this nature center particularly inviting to a family on a tight budget is that there is no admission charge. There is no admission charge for entry into the park, although guests might choose to purchase tickets for the carousel, paddle boats, miniature golf, train ride, Rowan Wildlife Adventures, gem mine, or items from one of the stores.

Free Nature Center in Piedmont of NC © Katrena

Another visitor at the park was speaking with a child who asked her something about Dan Nicholas and the lady mentioned that she had been coming to the park forever. This is a park that several generations of my family have enjoyed over the years. If you are looking for a family-friendly, affordable park in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, I would definitely put this one on the list. They seem to have something for everyone.

Park with Snakes and Aquarium Close to Salisbury NC © Katrena

Related articles:

• Meet the Bears at Dan Nicholas Park
• Dan Nicholas Campground – Enjoy the Serene Beauty
• Lazy 5 Ranch Offers Drive-through Safari and More

Thanks so much for reading my Travel NC With Kids blog. Feel free to share your own adventures at Dan Nicholas Park in the comment section below. Visit the Dan Nicholas official web site for hours, directions, prices, and more.

Dan Nicholas Park in NC Has Wide Variety of Water Fun

Dan Nicholas Park, located in Rowan County near Salisbury, North Carolina, features several different ways to enjoy water with the kids, including a nature trail that encircles a lake, fishing, paddle boats, and a splash pad.

Beautiful Wooden Bridge at Dan Nicholas Lake © Katrena

One of my favorite activities at Dan Nicholas is to simply walk the trail that encircles the lake. Walkers can see the lake throughout the short hike, and the majority of the trail is shaded, serene, and relaxing. They have a large steel bridge to the left of the concession stand, but I particularly like the small wooden bridge at the back of the lake.

Beautiful Wild Animals in Rowan County NC © Katrena

You can often find turtles, butterflies, dragonflies, and more near the bridge and along the trail. I like gardening and always enjoy looking at the nice collection of plants in and near the water on this trail as well. The camping area is adjacent to part of this trail, and several shaded areas have benches where you can relax and take in the beauty of the lake and the animals that call this area home.

Ducklings and Goslings in North Carolina © Katrena

I have fond memories of feeding the ducks and geese at the lake with my family when I was a child, and now my kids get the opportunity to share in that simple joy. Some of these feathered friends might even eat out of your hand. They might not be as hungry when the weather is comfortable and lots of folks are visiting, but you can usually find several that will readily clamber for some treats.

Fishing at Dan Nicholas Lake Near Salisbury NC © Katrena

You will often see folks fishing around the edges of the lake. Those with a state fishing license can fish at the Dan Nicholas lake for a modest fee paid at the concession stand. The local fee is waived for seniors and children under age three. The concession stand has quite a few pictures of people who have made some pretty nice catches at the lake as well as duck food, cool drinks, and several options for snacks.

Family Fun on Paddle Boats in Rowan County © Katrena

Riding paddle boats can be a fun family activity and great exercise, especially if you're the only one who can reach the pedals! The character boats are big and bold, and they have updated the smaller paddle boats as well.

Character Paddle Boats at Dan Nicholas Lake © Katrena

I prefer to go out on the lake early in the day if the weather is very warm. They have added a spraying fountain in the lake that can cool you down quite nicely if you discover that the Southern summer heat is moving in quickly.

The splash pad is the newest addition to the family water fun at Dan Nicholas. Located near the carousel and train station, this free area was a big hit with all of my kids. Actually, I found several excuses to go out and check on the kids while they were playing in this one!

Family Fun at Dan Nicholas © Katrena

It helps to have sandals or flip flops nearby because the cement gets a bit hot in the dry areas when the sun is blazing. A wide brimmed hat and sunglasses are also helpful for adults who are sitting by the splash pad. The splash pad at Dan Nicholas is slated to open for the 2012 season on May 26.

Visit the Travel NC with Kids site map for more articles on Dan Nicholas Park and several other fun family activity ideas in North Carolina.