Preserves & Trails

Get Outside on Permanently Protected Land

One of our guiding tenants is connecting people to nature. There’s nothing better than being out there. We are committed to increasing public access to trails and preserves in the Piedmont and we hope you’ll take advantage of the progress we’ve made.

Knight Brown Nature Preserve

This 189-acre preserve just off Belews Lake is teeming with life. Come explore! Three miles of trail follows a creek, passes ravines, and winds around hills within a gorgeous hardwood forest.

Caraway Creek Preserve

On the northern edge of the Uwharrie Mountain range, hike up to 3 miles at Caraway Creek Preserve, PLC’s second nature preserve, opened in May of 2023.

The natural surface, hand-built trails meander across beautiful, historic land primarily under tree cover. The hike will give you grand views of surrounding hills in the winter and early spring. 

Emily Allen Wildflower Preserve

Home to 28 of the 35 known eastern North American Trillium, 30 species of ferns, the state and federal species of special concern Oconee Bells (Shortia glacifolia) and many others, the Preserve was permanently protected in 2000 by Emily Allen and her husband O.G through a donated easement. In 2014, Emily’s family donated the Preserve and the residence on site to PLC to be used as an educational resource. 

Find more trails through Piedmont Legacy Trails

 Together with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council we created Piedmont Legacy Trails, the trails collective in the Piedmont Triad whose primary goal is to highlight our natural places, connect trail efforts, and give voice to regional trail interests for the the benefit of our communities. 

Support Piedmont Land Conservancy

Help us protect more land by making a donation.