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Big Rock Nature Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 539 Google reviews · Running trail in Charlotte, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Big Rock Nature Preserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
This unassuming wooded area & wildlife habitat features 22 acres & large granite formations.
What runners say about Big Rock Nature Preserve
“Stream Park and the neighborhood was nice and clean👍 though i was more impressed by Big Rock - a gem 👍👍👍 It was nice and cool 70s_F during my ~2 hrs walk.”
“Long story short: Is this the most beautiful hike in Charlotte?”
“We went on a Friday evening, and it was calm and peaceful.”
This was an unexpected little area with some big boulders to climb on. My toddler had a great time. There are no designated parking, you just park on the side of the road near the sign. We spent about 30 minutes just walking and climbing on the rocks. If you have kids who loves to climb rocks then they might enjoy it.
We loved the preserve. We went on a Friday evening, and it was calm and peaceful. The big rocks that you see when you enter have a historical significance to them related to indigenous people who frequented this area often. It was insightful to learn about it.
My son first went here with some high school friends, but I was not certain actually where it was. Turns out is is in the heart of Ballantyne, and worth checking out! Easy hike lest than two tenths of a mile round trip. Perfect on any occasion to appreciate the great outdoors close to home 😊
TUE 2025.08.19 06:20 arrived and parked at the Ballantyne Corporate Park for my "2-in-1 Deal" : (1) morning walk to calm my anxiety walk before (2) my dental examination at my dentist at 09:00 😳 My route (~5 mi CW Loop): Parking > Stream Park > Big Rock > Parking.
Trail conditions & character
“Parking is available by the road side of this park where they have a sign posted so it is easy and less walk to enter this place.”
“This was an unexpected little area with some big boulders to climb on.”
“We went on a Friday evening, and it was calm and peaceful.”
Plan your run at Big Rock Nature Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Websiteparkandrec.mecknc.gov
- Phone(704) 504-9346
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–7 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–7 PM |
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