Alamance Parks Acquires Land to Expand Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area
Alamance Parks has acquired a third land tract in the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. The Henderson-Dixon-Steele tract totals 152.5 acres bringing the total land acquired for the natural area to approximately 620 acres. This property once hosted the Pioneer Camp, a popular summer camp for area children in the 1950s and 60s. The acquisition was made possible by a 2017 grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Additional support was provided by The Conservation Fund, Piedmont Land Conservancy, and Alamance Parks.
The Cane Creek Mountains are located 8 miles south of the City of Graham and comprise the largest State Natural Heritage Area in Alamance County. The mountain range is also home to the highest peak in North Carolina east of Greensboro. Development of the park will protect the resources of this area while allowing for recreational and educational use of the property. Ultimately, Alamance Parks hopes to develop between 10-15 miles of trail network through the Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area properties. Upon completion, the Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area will be among the largest county parks in the state.
Development of the park began in 2019. A grant from the North Carolina Recreational Trails Program provided funding support for the first trailhead and trails of the park which are expected to open in 2020. Development of the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area will continue for several years.