Your backyard is fine. The neighborhood park is fun. But Daniel Stowe Conservancy? This wide open space is unforgettable. Formerly known as Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Daniel Stowe Conservancy has been known as a beautiful Belmont botanical garden fit for special occasions. But the story of Stowe is growing–literally. Daniel Stowe Conservancy has expanded their offerings to involve all 380 acres of conserved land.
This isn’t just a place to admire flowers–it’s a place for your family to play, explore and discover your own path to nature. Within the 90+ acres of botanical gardens, Daniel Stowe Conservancy offers The Kimbrell Family Lost Hollow Children’s Garden–8+ acres of playland for the young and young-at-heart, which includes an all-new kids’ Adventure Trail.
On this lush, forest trail you’ll find several outdoor adventure rooms filled with unique opportunities for play along the way. Don’t miss the Ramble Rocks Room with plenty of rocks to climb and a sandy-soft landing for jumping or a game of tag. Warmer days call for the Creekside Room–a rocky, trickling waterfall area for kids to splash their siblings and cool off in the summer. Mom tip: Bring an extra towel! There’s even a “Secret” Room–once you discover it, make sure to keep an eye out for a stone dragon friend. After all that exploring, you and your family can grab breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Trailhead Store or Big Leaf Café + Shop (opening May 2025)–with tons of options for even the pickiest eaters in your family.
Ready to explore some more? You can still enjoy the beautiful botanical gardens, including William H. Williamson, III, Conservatory–where lush foliage transports you to a tropical paradise year-round. Plus, you don’t want to miss over eight miles of walking trails, including the popular Duke Kimbrell Trail along Lake Wylie. You can even bring the pups to run around the one-acre dog park!
Your path to nature doesn’t have to end here. Check out the new Farmhouse Garden Center where you can take a piece of Daniel Stowe Conservancy to-go—with plants, garden supplies and merchandise for sale. Skip the same-old neighborhood park and mix up your weekend routine with an adventure for the whole family. You don’t need a special occasion to visit–exploration is the occasion! Daniel Stowe Conservancy will take you as far as you dare to wander. So get out there, dig in and make Stowe’s backyard yours too.
Stay in the Stowe! Sign up for their newsletter to get the latest updates on Daniel Stowe Conservancy–like the opening of the three-story Prairie Castle Playground, coming this summer! Daniel Stowe Conservancy is located at 6500 S New Hope Road in Belmont. You can reach them by phone at: (704) 825-4490 or find them on Facebook and Instagram
