Vineyards, mountains and waterfronts: places to get outside in Stanly County

The scenic peaks of Morrow Mountain, the sparkling waters of Lake Tillery, the rushing streams of Falls Reservoir — Stanly County is a hidden gem full of outdoor wonders.

Located just east of Charlotte, Stanly County is home to towns like Albemarle, Oakboro and Locust, each offering ample places to hike, bike, fish, kayak and more.

For new visitors to the area, Morrow Mountain State Park is a can't-miss attraction.

"At Morrow Mountain, there are a number of hiking trails that go to unique places, like the sandbar walk or the overlook, and they all vary in length. It's an awesome place for hiking, horseback riding — we don't have mountain bike trails, but a lot of people bike to the top of the mountain and back," said Chris Lambert, executive director at Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "While you're at the park, be sure to visit the Natural History Museum; it's also one of the only state parks with a pool. We also have boating, kayaking, and canoes for rent in the fishing area."

According to Lambert, on especially clear days, hikers can enjoy a view of Charlotte from the top of the mountain. For those looking to make a day out of a trip to Morrow Mountain, the park also has primitive camping sites, RV camping sites and cabins available to rent.

In addition to sprawling natural areas, the towns of Stanly County also have local parks that offer playgrounds, walking trails, athletic fields and more. In total, there are 27 parks that dot the neighborhoods of the county — all of which are dog-friendly.

"Locust has the Officer Jeff Shelton Memorial Park, which is one of the largest in the county and has a four-field athletic complex. If you're wanting to go to a park, it has everything that you could ask for," said Lambert. "Oakboro has a District Park, and it's absolutely beautiful, too. It has over two and a half miles of trails, a pond with running waters, an awesome playground and so much more!"

For those who want to enjoy the scenery of Stanly County alongside a glass of locally made wine, there are plenty of vineyards that offer stunning views and top-tier muscadine wine.

"We have a muscadine wine, which is made using muscadine grapes, and they produce a very sweet wine. Dennis Vineyards is the oldest in Stanly County; they began operations in 1997," said Lambert. "We also have Stony Mountain Vineyards, which has a stunning view that overlooks Lake Tillery, and Uwharrie Vineyards, which is our largest horticulture farm and vineyard. Lastly, Rocky River Vineyards, located just outside of Locust, is a beautiful vineyard that is close to the Red Bridge Golf Course and Reed Gold Mine."

There are three major lakes across Stanly County: Lake Tillery, Badin Lake and Falls Reservoir.

Lake Tillery offers one hundred miles of shoreline, and the shores in Stanly County are a source for dining, entertainment and recreation.

Badin Lake, located outside of the Town of Badin, is ideal for swimming, boating, fishing, and camping, while Falls Reservoir is a unique, undeveloped location perfect for scenic paddling and exploring.

"There are no houses on Falls Reservoir, so it's largely untouched. We have kayak tours, and one of the only waterfalls in the area is located there. There are old diversion tunnels that were created when the dam was built, but now they're essentially caves. We're working on getting permission to lead guided tours through them," said Lambert. "Right now, there are two tour companies that can show you around Falls Reservoir, Rocky River, or parts of the Pee Dee River."

Just off the waters of Falls Reservoir, there are also hiking trails that lead into the Uwharrie National Forest.

"We're kind of like Charlotte's park. We have a lot of outdoor opportunities that Charlotte doesn't have, including plenty of recreational activities at our lakes and parks," said Lambert. "It's everything you could ask for, and we offer some of the best outdoor amenities available."