Starting from the picnic area you have a choice of three trails, the Canal Trail, the Nature Trail, and the Eagle Point Trail, each one offering something a little different. The main attraction is the Canal Trail, and you can start from either the picnic area, or the south entrance to the park. This easy, 1.5-mile walk follows Landsford Canal, which was built in the 19th century to bypass the rocky rapids of the Catawba River, and at one time this canal served as an important trading route between the foothills and coastal plain. Today, the remnants of the original canal stonework and "locks" that equalized the water can still be seen toward the south end of the trail.

Hours: Dawn to dusk

I-77 Southbound: Take exit 77 to Highway 5 & 21. Turn left (south), travel 16 miles to the Landsford Canal State Park sign and turn left. The park entrance is on the left.

I-77 Northbound: Take exit 65 to Highway 9. Turn right and travel 2 miles to Hwy 223. Turn left on Hwy. 223 and travel 9 miles to Hwy. 21. At Hwy. 21 turn left and travel 2 miles to the State Park sign. Turn right and the park entrance will be on the left.