Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail

The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail is a natural surface trail that takes visitors through restored oak-savanna, farmland and along Adams Creek. This property is preserved by the Catawba Lands Conservancy. 
Trail Uses
Walking / hiking / running Mountain biking
Location
Mount Pleasant (NC)
Length
2.1 miles, One Way
Difficulty
Moderate
Surface
Gravel/Crushed stone, Natural surface
Motorized Vehicles
Not Permitted
Fees
No
Pets
Permitted on leash
Parking Spaces
22
Restrooms
Yes
Hours
Dawn - Dusk

Description

The Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail is located in the town Mount Pleasant, NC in rural Cabarrus County. The trail features a natural surface trail and gravel road overland connector used for walking, hiking, running, and mountain biking. Visitors to Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail will first walk through a restored piedmont oak savanna. You will then walk along farm fields where a local farm is growing hay and grains. The trail then enters a young forest and follows along a bluff above Adams Creek.

Located along Adams Creek and Dutch Buffalo Creek, this 393-acre preserve protects several streams, ponds and wetlands to enhance water quality. Most of the preserve is composed of working agricultural fields and natural forests, as well as wildlife habitat for several nesting birds and wildlife. Catawba Lands Conservancy is working to restore a piedmont oak-savanna at the trailhead. This habitat type, which is home to numerous ground-nesting birds and prairie species, is in decline throughout the piedmont of the Carolinas. CLC is working with the North Carolina Forestry Service, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and US Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct routine prescribed fires to promote warm-season grasses and create habitat for many bird species including the imperiled Grasshopper Sparrow and Northern Shrike. In September 2012, a prescribed burn was conducted in 70 acres of the preserve in an effort to develop a piedmont oak savannah, an open natural area conducive for the growth of native warm-season grasses. Growth of these grasses and wildflowers will provide an ideal habitat for birds and other wildlife species.

The farmland, over 130-acres, is leased to a local farmer here in Cabarrus County. The farmer has implemented Best Management Practices which supports farming and wildlife.  While enjoying this property, please be respectful of this local farm's hard work to grow hay and grains (corn, soybeans, and wheat) that are used to local feed cattle. 

The trail follows a lovely forest along the banks of Adams Creek ending where the forest and farmland meet a neighborhood subdivision.  The highlight of this section of trail is the view from a high bluff over Adams Creek that looks back towards the town of Mt. Pleasant. Adams Creek is a tributary of Dutch Buffalo Creek.

Other Information

Buffalo Creek Trail is a part of the Butterfly Highway. "The Butterfly Highway is a statewide conservation restoration initiative that aims to restore native pollinator habitats to areas impacted by urbanization, land use change and agriculture across North Carolina. From backyard Pollinator Pitstops to large-scale roadside habitat restoration, the project is creating a network of native flowering plants to support butterflies, bees, birds and other pollen and nectar dependent wildlife." NC Wildlife Federation-Butterfly Highway Website

Trail Manager

Visit the Catawba Lands Conservancy's website for more information or contact:

Catawba Lands Conservancy
Land Stewardship Director
4530 Park Road, Suite 420
Charlotte, NC 28209
704-342-3330 x1209
View website

Featured Post

Going the Distance: 65-Mile Rocky River/Pee Dee River Blueways Open
Going the Distance: 65-Mile Rocky River/Pee Dee River Blueways Open
Great Blue Herons glide overhead; a cluster of deer swim soundlessly across the channel; an elusive bald eagle skims the treetops overhead as miles and miles of secluded flatwater paddling unfold down river. Could this idyllic adventure be just 30 minutes outside Uptown Charlotte? For the first time this spring, the answer is yes with the completion of the Rocky River and Pee Dee River Blueways.
> Read Post

Trail Tips

Snack Attack
Bring along a small snack in case you get hungry or feel a drop in energy while exercising.
Legend
Hide All

Trailhead Information

Parking Address and Trailhead Location: Near 7911 Malibu Road, Mt Pleasant, NC 28124 MAP

Parking is only permitted within the available parking lot at the trailhead. Please do not park along Malibu Road. 

Click on an icon to get custom directions
Please Log In or Create Account to add comments.
hiking101
May 16, 2022
This is a beautiful trail to walk in the spring time. There is an abundance of wild flowers on this trail. If you look in the photo gallery above, I have provided a few pictures of different wild flowers on the trail. -Bryson
Hang Tight!
Nearby services are loading
SHARE THIS TRAIL
PRINT THIS TRAIL

Add Trail Log

Please wait…
Join In on the Fun!
Log in or create an account below to unlock all the great features of Carolina Thread Trails: keep track of trails you want to do, preserve memories of trails you’ve done, and more!
Your log in attempt was not successful. Please try again.
    Lost your password? Reset your password
    Don't yet have an account?
    There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.
      * Indicates required field
      Already have an account? Login here
      Enter your username, and we will send you a new, randomly generated password to your email account.
      There was an issue with your submission. Please try again.

        Success! A new password has been emailed to you.

        Log in now

        Please wait…