Located just 17 miles south of Charlotte, The Anne Springs Greenway is exactly the place you need to be to reconnect with nature. Boasting 2100 acres of pristine land, the Greenway contains 36 miles of hiking trails, a 28-acre Lake, biking, and horseback riding trails. We've rounded up the top 10 things to do at the Greenway.
1. Eat at the Gateway Canteen
Enjoy a nice meal at the Gateway Canteen. Featuring a seasonal menu with local beer & wine, the Gateway Canteen is the perfect spot to dine after spending the day outdoors. Located at the Lake Haigler entrance, you can dine inside or eat al fresco!
For Their Seasonal Hours of Operation, Click Here!
2. Live Music & Events (Seasonal)
When the weather warms up, you can experience their Summer Concert Series every Thursday from May 2nd - July 25th, located at the Dairy Barn Entrance! Enjoy local live music on the Gateway lawn while cotton candy skies light up your backdrop. They also host a slew of annual events, such as the Blue Star Blitz and Earth Day Weekend Celebration.
3. Yoga
Offering Yoga 2-3 times a week, the Greenway is the perfect spot to get in a workout. Break up your workday with lunchtime yoga at the Amphitheater, or soak up a perfect South Carolina sunset while stretching during one of their sunset yoga sessions! Sessions are $12 for non-members, while members get a 50% discount. Make sure to bring a yoga mat and some water! You can register here!
4. Hiking
Numerous trails and points of interest are within the Greenway, which boasts 36 miles of trails ranging from beginner to intermediate. The most popular hike, the Lake Haigler Loop, features some of the Greenway’s most beautiful scenery, while the Blue Star Trail stretches more than seven miles from one end of the property to the other. While you're there, don't forget to walk across the iconic swinging bridge!
5. Mountain Biking
Whether you're looking to break into the mountain biking scene or an experienced pro, the Greenway has a trail for you! The Greenway offers independent biking, beginner clinics, and private lessons, making it easy to grab your bike and go. All mountain biking trails start at the Adventure Road entrance, and riders must be members of the Greenway or pay the $12 fee at the trailhead kiosk.
6. Schroering Forest Playground
Discover the newest destination for outdoor adventure in York County: the brand-new Schroering Forest Playground, where kids can climb, learn, and play in a natural wonderland. The forest playground features six play structures, including two timber houses, a sound arch and dendrophone structure, a play snail, various activity zones, a fairy trail, a shrub maze, and spaces for temporary art. Children can also engage in natural construction projects, from building forts to crafting with earth, clay, and water elements. Additional features such as a mud kitchen, dry stream bed, and dedicated areas for toddler play and forest exploration will further enrich the experience.
7. Kayaking & Paddle Boarding
Are you an adventure seeker? Look no further than Lake Haigler. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available on weekends starting in June! Reservations are currently required and must be made online beforehand. It is currently $15 for non-members and 50% off for members. Time slots are two hours long, with the first slot starting at 9:00 AM and the last beginning at 3:00 PM. You can reserve your time slot here. Already have a paddleboard or kayak? No Problem! Bring your non-motorized boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards to the Lake Haigler Kayak Launch at the Lake Haigler Entrance. Looking for a truly unique experience? Sign up for their Paddle and Pasta or Paddle and Pancakes! Enjoy a serene paddle while taking in the sights and sounds of Lake Haigler. After the tour, enjoy a delicious meal prepared by the talented chefs at the Gateway Canteen.
8. Fishing
They say good things come to those who bait—looking to take up fishing? Fishing is offered exclusively to Greenway members at the Anne Springs Close Greenway.
Fishing guidelines include:
• A South Carolina fishing license is required
• There is no additional fee for members to fish
• Bass fishing is catch-and-release only
*Lakes contain catfish, bass, and bream*
9. Horseback Riding
Are you ready to get back in the saddle? The Greenway offers many options for horseback riding, including equestrian summer camps, group riding lessons, guided trail rides, and lead line rides. To learn more about guided trail rides, click here.
10. History
Nation Ford Road
Photo Courtesy of Anne Springs Close Greenway
Did you know that the trail between the Dairy Barn and the Nature Center runs parallel to a historically significant trail called Nation Ford Road? The road is one of the oldest documented travel routes in the southeast and became known as part of the "Great Wagon Road" that brought settlers from the north into the southern frontiers.
The Graham Cabin
Photo Courtesy of Anne Springs Close Greenway
The Graham Cabin was built over 200 years ago. An early 1800s census shows that Billy Graham’s grandfather, Archibald Graham, was born in this cabin and possibly lived there for a time. The cabin is now lovingly called “The Graham Cabin” and is easily accessible on the Greenway using the Nation Ford Loop.