Vietnam Veterans Park Loop
📍 760 Orphanage Road, Concord, NC
⏰ Trail Hours 8am-8pm
Discover the ease of the Vietnam Veterans Park Loop, a 1.7-mile mostly natural-surface trail at Vietnam Veterans Park which is nestled between Concord and Kannapolis, North Carolina.
This trail travels through the park and around the duck pond, making an easy to follow loop. Open year-round, this trail is great for all ages and abilities.
Every step you take contributes to our community count, reflecting your commitment to active living and fostering a vibrant, health-conscious community. Join us in making every step count towards a healthier, happier Cabarrus County!
📍 760 Orphanage Road, Concord, NC
Vietnam Veterans Park, spanning 90 acres, opened in 2002 through a collaboration between Cabarrus County, the City of Kannapolis, and the Church of God Children’s Home. The park offers a tranquil escape and supports passive recreational activities.
Features:
- Boardwalk
- Walking Trail
- Wetland Trail
- Playground
- Disc Golf Course
- Bocce Court
- Volleyball Court
- Basketball Court
- Horseshoe Pits
- Picnic Shelters
- Duck pond
Throughout the year, the park offers a diverse range of nature and wildlife classes, providing educational opportunities that cater to a wide spectrum of interests and ages.
>> Watch this video to explore Vietnam Veterans Park
Vietnam Veterans Park Loop Facts
Trail: Mostly natural-surface (dirt and gravel) with a small portion of paved sidewalk and boardwalk around the pond
Length: 1.7 miles
Route Type: Loop with connection to the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway
Difficulty Level: Easy
The Park Loop is considered an easier route and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. With it’s natural surface, this trail is great for walking, running, hiking, and dog walking.
This is a dog-friendly park with various dog stations set up around the park. Dogs should remain on a leash when in the park and while using this trail.
Other Information
Carolina Thread Trail Connection
The Vietnam Veterans Park Loop seamlessly connects to the Irish Buffalo Creek Greenway, a segment of the Carolina Thread Trail. This 0.4-mile natural surface path meanders through the park’s wooded area, offering a scenic route for visitors and a longer walk or run for active users.
The Carolina Thread Trail is an extensive regional network connecting 15 counties in North and South Carolina. This collaborative effort links communities through 1,610 miles of trails, greenways, and blueways, fostering connections to nature and each other.
Vietnam Veteran Memorial
In 2016, the Cabarrus Veteran Coalition dedicated a monument at Vietnam Veterans Park, honoring 29 Vietnam War soldiers from Cabarrus County who gave their lives during the war. This permanent tribute, made possible through a partnership with Cabarrus County, stands as a lasting remembrance of these local heroes.
📍 7911 Malibu Rd, Mt Pleasant, NC
Located in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, the Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail is part of the 393-acre Buffalo Creek Preserve managed by Catawba Lands Conservancy.
This Conservancy-owned preserve features a working farm, a rare Piedmont oak savanna, and forested buffers along Adams Creek and Dutch Buffalo Creek, enhancing water quality. Additionally, a two-mile section of the Carolina Thread Trail offers hikers and cyclists a beautiful connection to nature.
Features:
- Walking/Hiking/Running/Mountain Biking Trail
- Trailhead Parking Lot
- Rope Bridge
>> Watch this video to explore the Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail
Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail Facts
Trail: Crushed Stone, Dirt, and Gravel
Length: 2.1 miles (one-way), 4.2 out and back
Route Type: Trail with two endpoints (Malibu Road and Oldenburg Drive)
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Motorized Vehicles: Not Permitted
The trail offers a mix of level and hilly sections. Approximately half of the trail is without shade, making it quite hot in the summer.
Be sure to bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during your walk.
Leashed dogs are welcomed to accompany you on this trail.
>> Click Here for a Larger Image of the Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail
Parking is only allowed in the designated lot at the trailhead, which has 22 spaces. Please avoid parking along Malibu Road.
Although the trail is suitable for individuals of all ages, it is not recommended for strollers.
Other Information
Butterfly Highway
Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail is a vital link in the Butterfly Highway, a statewide conservation initiative in North Carolina.
This project aims to restore native pollinator habitats in areas affected by urbanization, land use changes, and agriculture. By creating a network of native flowering plants, the Butterfly Highway supports butterflies, bees, birds, and other pollinator-dependent wildlife, from backyard gardens to large roadside restorations.
Carolina Thread Trail
The Carolina Thread Trail is an extensive regional network connecting 15 counties in North and South Carolina. This collaborative effort links communities through 1,610 miles of trails, greenways, and blueways, fostering connections to nature and each other.
Led by Catawba Lands Conservancy, the Thread Trail promotes economic development, education, health, and land conservation. The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail is a two-mile segment of this remarkable network.
📍 12900 Bethel School Road, Midland, NC
Located in Midland, North Carolina,
Park Features:
- Boardwalk
- Walking Trail
- Bike Trails
- Disc Golf Course
- Playground
- Picnic Sites
- Fishing
>> Watch this Video to Explore Rob Wallace Park
Rob Wallace Park Loop
Trail: Gravel
Length: 2.5 miles
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty Level: Easy
The park loop trail, renowned for its gentle terrain and captivating views, is an easier route that typically takes around 45 minutes to complete at a brisk pace.
Leashed dogs are welcomed to accompany you on this well-shaded pathway, ensuring a pleasant outing for all.
>> Click Here for a Larger Image of the Park Loop
Additional trails with varying difficulty and distances include the 1 mile Flower Trail and the .8 mile Quarry Loop.
Powder House Mountain Bike Trail
Trail: Single-track natural trail
Length: 1 mile
Route Type: Loop
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Be prepared to encounter small hills and tight switchbacks that add an exciting elevation challenge to your adventure. Keep an eye out for daily directional changes. Information is posted at the main trailhead.
>> Click Here for a Larger Image of the Powder House Mountain Bike Trail
Additional skills areas designated for both beginner and advanced bikers that include berms, dropoffs, balance beams and more are available to inspire riders and push their limits.
