Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies

The area’s economic stability and growing interest in outdoor lifestyles create a favorable environment for businesses that are focused on adventure and recreation.

Highly Skilled Workforce

With leading higher education institutions:

Catawba Valley Community College

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Appalachian State University Hickory campus

Best Place to Live

Ranked among the top 10 most beautiful and affordable places to live in the United States (2023 Travel + Leisure), Hickory has a lot to offer.

Manufacturing Hub

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton MSA was ranked No. 5 for manufacturing among midsize MSAs in the nation (Business Facilities' 2020 Metro and Global Rankings Report).

What Hickory Can Offer You

The Hickory Trail is an 11-mile walking, running, and biking paved trail system that spans across the City, connecting destinations and amenities.

Hickory Trail System

The Hickory Trail is one of the Crafting Hickory projects that has the potential to transform our community. Spanning more than 10 miles across the city, the Hickory Trail provides bicycle and pedestrian safety, while connecting popular destinations and amenities.

Mountain Bike Trails

The Lake Hickory Trails is a system of mountain biking trails at Hickory City and Rotary-Geitner Parks, which include a 1.8-mile beginner flow trail, a 4-mile intermediate loop, a pump track for both advanced and beginner riders, and an advanced jump line for more skilled riders.

Lake Hickory

Part of the Catawba River chain of lakes, Lake Hickory covers nearly 4,223 acres with 105 miles of shore line. From boating and jet skiing, to kayaking and fishing, Lake Hickory provides a natural playground for a number of water sports. Hickory's Riverwalk offers spectacular views of the lake from its elevated, overland trail and overwater bridge.

Parks & Amenities

Hickory has 26 parks with playgrounds, splash pads, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic shelters, disc golf, lake access, as well as a tree house with accessibility for all children.

Riverbend Park

Riverbend Park features 690 acres with 1.25-miles of shoreline along the Catawba River and 19.7 miles of trails. You can experience a variety of wildlife habitats that range from fresh water wetlands to upland forest.

Wilson Creek

With fantastic vistas, ridges more than 400 feet high, whitewater rapids, and trails that travel to spectacular waterfalls, Wilson Creek offers great adventures for hiking, scenic viewing, mountain biking, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and backpacking.

Mountain Creek Park

Located on the northwestern tip of Lake Norman in Sherrills Ford, this 606-acre park features an extensive 19.52-mile multi-use trail network designed to optimize mountain biking and a host of other amenities, including an adventure playground, a mountain bike skills course and tool stations, pickleball courts, a dog park, and more.

Pisgah National Forest

The Pisgah National Forest is a land of mile-high peaks, cascading waterfalls, and heavily forested slopes. Comprised of over 500,000 acres, the Pisgah is primarily a hardwood forest with whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of trails.

CORE Executive Summary 2024 - 2029

Hickory’s CORE Brochure

Contact: Dave Leonetti
Email: dleonetti@hickorync.gov
Phone: (828) 323-7422