Cane Creek Park
Southern Union County · 1,050 acres
Union County's largest park surrounds a 350-acre lake south of Waxhaw, with camping, fishing, boating and multi-use trails open to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
The Outdoors
Parks, greenways and trails around Waxhaw.
Town parks, a 1,050-acre county lake park and the Carolina Thread Trail along Twelve Mile Creek.
Western Union County's outdoor life centers on three things: Waxhaw's growing set of town parks, the county's large lake park at Cane Creek, and the creek-side greenways that form part of the regional Carolina Thread Trail.
Parks & Preserves
Where to spend a Saturday.
Downtown Park
Waxhaw · 301 Givens Street
The town's downtown park, with walking paths, nature-themed playgrounds, a pump track and the amphitheater used for summer concerts.
Town Creek Park
Waxhaw · 19 acres
A community park with a playground, picnic pavilion, butterfly garden and a trailhead for the Carolina Thread Trail along Twelve Mile Creek.
Harvey Clay Nesbit Park
Waxhaw · H.C. Nesbit Road
Waxhaw's main sports park, with soccer and baseball fields used by local youth leagues.
Marvin Efird Park
Marvin
The Village of Marvin's park, with natural walking trails, playgrounds, community gardens and a nine-hole disc golf course. It also hosts Marvin Day.
Dogwood Park
Wesley Chapel · 22.5 acres
A neighborhood park with paved and unpaved trails, a fishing pier, a dog park and a playground.
Carolina Thread Trail
A regional ribbon of green stitching the Carolinas together.
Featured Trails
Routes worth lacing up for.
Twelve Mile Creek Greenway — Waxhaw
Several segments
Paved & natural
Waxhaw's segment of the Carolina Thread Trail, with sections reached from Town Creek Park and Prescot and from the Millbridge side, which leads toward the suspension bridge over the creek.
Marvin Loop
Village greenway
Asphalt
The Village of Marvin's paved greenway. Public parking is at Village Hall.
Marvin Efird Park Trail
Park trail
Natural
Wooded walking trails inside Marvin Efird Park, with public parking at the park.
Cane Creek Park trails
Multi-use network
Natural
Trails around the lake shared by hikers, mountain bikers and riders. Check the county's page for current conditions and any trail closures after rain.
The best way to see Twelve Mile Creek is on foot.
Water & Day Trips
Lakes and rivers within reach.
Cane Creek Lake
The closest lake for fishing and small-boat use. Boat rentals, launch rules and fees are set by Union County Parks & Recreation and change by season, so check the county's page before you go. The lake also hosts the annual Tommy Taylor Fishing Tournament each April.
Landsford Canal State Park
South of the state line on the Catawba River, known for the rocky shoals spider lilies that bloom from late May into June and for paddling the river.
Lake Wylie
The nearest large reservoir, west across the Catawba, for powerboating, marinas and lakefront dining.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
West of Charlotte, with whitewater rafting, flatwater paddling and an extensive trail network — a popular family day trip from Waxhaw.
Practical Notes
Before you head out.
Who runs what. Town parks are managed by Waxhaw Parks & Recreation, Marvin's parks by the village, and Cane Creek by Union County Parks & Recreation. Each publishes its own hours, fees and reservation rules for shelters and fields.
Wildlife. White-tailed deer and wild turkey are common along the creek corridors, and ticks are active in warm months. Stay on marked trails and check for ticks after walks.
Living near the trails. Several neighborhoods sit close to the greenway and the town parks. See the neighborhood guide, the family guide and things to do in Waxhaw.