Charlotte leadership hasn’t been shy about sharing their commitment to becoming a city known for its trees and urban forests. In fact, by 2050 the city wants to have 50% canopy. To reach this lofty goal, the city aims to increase tree acreage by 5% each year and has a TreesCharlotte nonprofit helping lead the charge. All this means Charlotte has tons of Instagrammable forests within city limits and on its outskirts.
At the entrance of Charlotte’s main library, this park has tons of mature trees despite its small size. This Uptown park is known for its decorative fountain and convenient location.
Arequipa Park, 310 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC, USA +1 704 416 0101
This 77-acre preserve gives birdwatchers plenty of opportunities to see a diversity of birds that flock to its floodplain status. Charlotte urbanites appreciate its proximity to the city and the opportunities it provides for catching wildlife in action, especially during the migratory season.
Evergreen Nature Preserve, 1300 Tarrington Avenue Charlotte, NC, USA+1 704 598 8857
This huge area has way more than just trees as lots of people come here to visit the Carolina Raptor Center. But beyond the birds, the Latta Plantation has tons of trees to photograph across its nearly 1,500 acres. Be ready to encounter lots of pretty flowers and other wildlife, too.
Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 6211 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC, USA +1 704 875 1391
Want to really get away from the urban life? This preserve encompasses more than 1,000 acres of land. And beyond just trees to admire, this area has a campground, hiking trails and access to fishing.
McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Rd, Charlotte, NC, USA +1 980 314 2267
A piece of Charlotte’s history lives here, with trees dating back 200 years. Three miles of easy trail wind through the 188 acres of this natural oasis, and it sits only six miles from downtown.
RibbonWalk Nature Preserve, 4601 Nevin Rd, Charlotte, NC, USA +1 980 314 1000
