Recreation

Recreation abounds in Burke County. Lake James and Lake Rhodhiss provide vast expanses for a variety of great water fun! The 6,000-acre South Mountains State Park, as well as marked trails, fields, and streams in the Blue Ridge range, supply additional outlets for hiking, hunting, trout fishing, backpacking and other enjoyment.

In addition to organized sports, residents may enjoy three 18-hole golf courses (2 of them public), driving ranges, miniature golf, two disc golf courses, batting cages, movie theaters, bowling and roller skating provide other year-round opportunities. The county's municipalities are home to some of the most comprehensive recreational facilities and programs for an area this size! In cold weather, snow skiing and other winter sports are available an hour's drive away.

Lake James Park, located west of Morganton on the border with McDowell County, offers swimming, camping, picnicking, nature studies, hiking trails, boating, fishing and mountain views.

The Morganton Greenway System includes a paved and handicapped accessible walking trail, picnic shelters, restrooms, children's playground, fishing piers, a canoe launch and multilevel observation deck.

The city maintains over 364 acres for recreational use including three recreation centers and 12 park facilities. The centers include a 50-meter Olympic size outdoor pool and a 25-yard indoor pool, two gymnasiums, rooms for meetings and instructional purposes, a gymnastics spring floor and equipment, and administrative offices. The Morganton Recreation Department offers year-round activities for all ages and abilities.

City parks include 14 lighted baseball/softball fields, 15 lighted hard surface tennis courts, a lighted football stadium, a skeet/trap shooting range and a soccer complex with two professional regulation lighted soccer fields. The soccer fields include parking, field-house, restrooms, concession stand/covered picnic area and office space.

Learn more about Catawba Meadows Park.

Learn more about the Morganton Greenway System.