Mountain Creek Park has a launch site for canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, providing access to Mountain Creek and Lake Norman. The Catawba River is the source of Catawba County’s three lakes. Water and nature are therefore among the themes you may encounter on a trip through Catawba.
Water, Landscapes and Trails
The Catawba County park system offers more than 1,500 acres of natural habitat for hiking, cycling, paddling and activities with dogs. These opportunities are available seven days a week. This gives you several ways to explore nature: you can travel on foot, get on a bike or explore the paddling options.
The figures for the Carolina Thread Trail also distinguish between planned and completed sections: 126.6 miles are planned in Catawba County, of which 28.6 miles have been completed. If you’re interested in the trail network, these figures help distinguish its planned length from the portion already completed.
Museums and History
The Catawba Science Center is a 35,000-square-foot science and technology museum. Its offerings include interactive exhibits, animal habitats, saltwater and freshwater aquarium galleries, and a planetarium. The subjects range from wildlife and water to exploring the sky. Visitors interested in science will find several different ways to engage with it in one museum.
At the History Museum of Catawba County, agricultural tools and handcrafted furnishings sit alongside military uniforms and an original Piedmont Wagon. The exhibits also include a replica law office and a walk-in replica of a jail cell. The past comes to life through objects and recreated spaces. Another historical perspective can be found at a Queen Anne-style residence, which operates as the Hickory History Center and tells the earliest stories of the city.
The Bunker Hill Covered Bridge combines architectural history with a special distinction: it is one of only two historic covered bridges remaining in North Carolina and was designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark in 2001. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Living Culture and Regional Cuisine
Pottery in the Catawba Valley is a living craft tradition that continues to be made and collected. This makes it more than a look back: the craft remains part of contemporary culture. Hmong Southeast Puavpheej, a nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to preserving Hmong heritage and cultures, also contributes to cultural discoveries in Catawba County. The organization has a cultural park in the western part of the county, where several events are held. Event dates may vary.
Regional cuisine includes farmers markets at several locations throughout the county, offering locally grown produce. Farm Feast has been celebrated since 2015 and brings local farmers and chefs together to showcase regional food and culinary skill. The markets and festival have different focuses: one highlights the produce, while the other celebrates the partnership between farming and culinary arts.
Practical Information
The Riverwalk in Hickory is open to the public and includes North America’s longest inverted Fink truss bridge. It opened to the public in 2024. The bridge and Riverwalk trails have seasonal opening hours: from March to October, they are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; from November to February, they are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check the hours before your visit.
For travel planning, it is also useful to know that Hickory Airport serves general aviation and is not currently served by any commercial airline.
Discover more destinations: Hickory, Conover, Person County, Pitt, Alleghany County, Guilford, Edgecombe County, Surry County.
Return to the main travel overview: North Carolina.
