Located just north of Charlotte in Troutman, NC on the state’s largest manmade lake, Lake Norman State Park offers both water and land based activities. There are 30.5 miles of mountain biking (or hiking) trails, as well 3 hiking-only trails covering 7.5 miles. There is a swimming area, several fishing spots, and different watercrafts available to rent (paddle boats, kayaks, paddle boards, and canoes). It is an easy day trip from Charlotte and a great alternative to heading all the way into the mountains to get your outdoor fix.
We wanted to get some family outdoors time and take our dog Hazel on her first hiking adventure, but her tendency towards car sickness kept us from venturing too far from home. Lake Norman was the perfect location for a starter hike for her. (Ok, well not exactly perfect since she still threw up 3 times in the car on the 45 minute drive there.)
We decided on the Lake Shore Trail which – you guessed it – follows along the shoreline of the lake. It is rated as moderate and has two options – the full loop is 6.2 miles but you can take the shortcut for a 3 mile hike. Follow the white blazes for the longer loop and the red blazes for the shorter one. It was a super hot July day so we opted for the shorter hike.
The trail is wooded and shady for almost the entire time. It hugs the shoreline for the large majority of the trail, but it does venture a little bit inland at times. The path surface is all natural and there were a fair number of tree roots in spots so you have to be aware of your footing. There are also a few surprisingly steep hills for a generally flat area.
There are quite a few spots where you can venture a few feet off the trail and reach the lake. There are beautiful views of the lake and its many coves and several small beaches where you could take a dip if you were so inclined.
Although we had read that this was a good spot for birdwatching, we didn’t spot any interesting birds. We did, however, find a frog and a turtle! Keep your eyes peeled because these guys blend in to their surroundings.
Overall we found this to be a really enjoyable hike and would love to come back in the fall to explore the full trail in cooler weather. Although there were lots of cars in the parking lot, we only passed a handful of people on the trail. It felt like we had it to ourselves and made for a peaceful morning.
Lake Norman State Park is a great low-commitment hike that’s perfect for new hikers, families, or those just wanting a taste of the outdoors that isn’t too far from home. It’s close, it’s easy, and it’s beautiful. (And it’s dog-friendly!) The trail offers gorgeous lake views, a shady wooded trail, easy and moderate hiking options, and wildlife spotting opportunities. It was a great half-day outing for our family.
