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State park alive with activities and vibrant colors
R&L file photo
Tamara Swedlund (left) and Chris Lippard carry their canoe from the docks at Lake Norman State Park in this file photo. This month, the park is offering free canoeing tours and more.
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Published: November 1, 2009
If you're looking for some outdoor fall fun, or just hoping to view the vibrant leaf colors before winter approaches, Lake Norman State Park officials want you to know you can find it all here in Iredell County.
With a variety of activities scheduled throughout November, and the leaves at their peak color, Park Ranger Jason Gwinn said Lake Norman State Park offers a convenient option for enjoying the autumn season.
"Obviously it's much closer to home than the mountains are," he said. "You can save on gas and there's plenty to do in the local area."
Also noting that the trees within the park are either at peak right now or very close to it, he said the colors are "just as pretty" as those within the Appalachian Mountains.
"The hickories are a vibrant yellow. The dogwoods are a deep maroon. Oaks and the beeches are starting to change so there's a lot of variety," said Gwinn.
November, he noted, is also the last opportunity this year for camping at the state park. The campground will welcome campers for the final night on Nov. 29 and reopen March 15.
And those campers seeking a bit more than a night in the wilderness can enjoy two activities scheduled for registered campers in November.
The Campground Owl Prowl will be at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7, starting at the campground payphone. A ranger will guide campers as they call for owls and learn more about the common owls found in Lake Norman State Park. The program will last about 45 minutes and is only open to registered campers, or those staying at the campground overnight.
Another activity only for campers is the educational "How to Build a Fire." Held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 10, a ranger will lead the one-hour program that teaches campers how to create a successful fire. Guests are encouraged to bring a snack to roast over the fire.
Three additional activities will be hosted at Lake Norman State Park this November and are open to the public.
At 1 p.m. on both Nov. 16 and Nov. 27, the park will host guided canoe tours of Park Lake. Interested guests are asked to meet in front of the boathouse for the trip. Canoe experience is required and all participants must be at least 7 years old. Additionally, anyone under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
The one-and-a-half hour guided canoe tour will include discussion about wildlife and looking for signs of animals along the lake shore.
A bird watching event is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 28, starting at the Park Lake parking lot. A ranger will guide the leisurely hike along the Alder Trail and shoreline in search of the park's winter birds. Guests are asked to dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear as well as bring their own binoculars if possible.
All programs at Lake Norman State Park are free.
"Every month we try to offer a variety of environmental education programs," said Gwinn, noting that many programs have minimum requirements and all require registration, so interested guests should contact the park prior to arrival.
He added, "Essentially we want to get people outside, introduce them to nature and the park, educate them about wildlife."
The park, he said, also offers plenty of trails and opportunities for people to simply enjoy nature. Whether it's hiking trails along the lake or exploring the back country, Gwinn said fall provides increased solitude and nature sounds as well as more chances of wildlife encounters, including deer and turkey sightings.
"If you're used to our summer crowds, you'll be shocked when you come up on the weekend," he said, noting that the park remains fairly quiet as temperatures drop and autumn nestles in.
"There are fewer people around. It's a slower-pace park. It's a good time to explore areas of the park that you haven't before in the summer."
For more information or to register for any of the programs provided this November, call the Lake Norman State Park office at (704) 528-6350.
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