The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
Big Rock Nature Preserve
6500 Elmstone Drive
Charlotte (Ballantyne), NC 28277
a Mecklenburg County Park
April 25, 2021 and August 18, 2021

USA map showing location of North Carolina

Big Rock Nature Preserve is in Ballantyne, near Pineville NC, but is often listed as in Charlotte. There was no charge to enter this park on this date, which is actually located in a residential neighborhood. Dogs must be kept on a leash.

Just a few hundred feet from the entrance sign, there are a few extremely large boulders that children love to climb on. These are the largest exposed boulders in Mecklenburg County. The web states that this is a 0.6 mile loop trail, but in fact, there are forks off of the trail everywhere. But still it is not a big area, and easy walking. A creek runs along one side of the park with houses on the other side.

This area was believed to have been inhabited by Native Americans as far back as 7,000 years ago and The Big Rock was used as a lookout.

Big Rock Nature Preserve sign

N:OTE: Most of the photos on this page were taken when Karen Duquette went there by herself. But a few months later, she thought Lee Duquette would enjoy the area. So a few photos on that date are also included on this page.
sign aboutthe park No tobacco sign

Below: The path from the entry signs to The Big Boulder.
The path from the entry signs to The Big Boulder.

Below: A lot of photos at different angles of the first (and biggest) set of boulders.

The Big Boulders The Big Boulders
The Big Boulders
The Big Boulders crawl spaces in the boulder
The Big Boulders
the side of the bIg boulder crawl spaces in the boulder
crawl spaces in the boulder crawl spaces in the boulder
under the rocks around the side

The black markings on the boulders, is presumably where graffiti has been blacked out. Please do NOT write on these boulders.
parts of The Big Boulder
tree and part of boulder

Below: Karen Duquette in-between the big boulders April 25, 2021

Karen Duquette by part of The Big Boulder
rocky diviver bar

Below: A few other big boulders, not quite as big.
more big boulders, not quite as big
boulders a big boulder
rocky divider bar

Below: Two views of a split boulder - April 25, 2021
a split boulder a split boulder

Below: Karen Duquette at the same split boulder as shown above - August 18, 2021
Karen Duquette at the split boulder
roclky diviver bar
hole in a boulder another boulder

Below: Karen Duquette found the perfect "chair" - August 18, 2021
Karen Duquette found the perfect chair
rocky divider bar

Below: August 18, 2021 - As the two RV Gypsies walked down the path, they spotted another split rock

Below: When the two RV Gypsies saw the boulder shown below, they simultaneously said, "That boulder looks like a whale". It was funny because they actually both said the same thing, word for word at the same time.
rocky divider bar
hiking trail at Big Rock Nature Preserve tree stump
hiking trail at Big Rock Nature Preserve trees
hiking trail at Big Rock Nature Preserve creek
creek creek

Below: The Creek
The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve
The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve
The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve

Below: Interesting tree roots
The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve
The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve The creek at Big Rock Nature Preserve

Below: Nice reflections in the creek
great reflections in the creek great reflections in the creek

Below: The Whale Rock
great reflections in the creek great reflections in the creek
The Whale Rock

Some of the houses on the other side
of the creek, had their own private bridge
into the park.

The hill going back up to the road
was just a little bit steep,
but still easy to walk.
a private bridge hill leading to the street

look below

continue on to the next adventuree Just around the corner, on the other side of the street Karen Duquette saw a small dam and then walked the short gravel road to a very small island.