Nice Night For Walk "Riverbend Park, NC" Part 1

On this episode I'm visiting Riverbend Park, NC. Part 1.
Let's skip a few rocks down by the river.

Riverbend Park, a 690-acre public park in Conover, Catawba County, NC, along the Catawba River north of Hickory, was established in 1999. It features diverse habitats—wetlands, hardwood and pine forests, meadows, and 1.25 miles of river shoreline—connected to the Upper Catawba River Trail and Carolina Thread Trail. The park offers 19.7 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and horseback riding, ranging from easy to moderate, with the Red Trail (Shoreline Trail) following the river and an ADA-accessible river observation platform near Oxford Dam. Trails are pet-friendly (leashed dogs) and may close after rain; a georeferenced map is available via the Avenza app. The park is closed on Wednesdays.
Activities include bank fishing in the river or a stocked 3/4-acre pond (bass, bream, perch, catfish; NC Wildlife regulations apply), paddling with a boat launch (caution near the dam), picnicking (tables, grills, reservable shelter), wildlife viewing (herons, geese, eagles, deer, turkeys, wildflowers), a 1-acre dog park ($20/year permit), and a 2023 orienteering course. Educational programs and events like a September 6, 2025, shoreline cleanup are offered. Amenities include free parking, restrooms, benches, and a 1,000 sq. ft. reservable indoor facility. No alcohol or smoking is allowed, and Leave No Trace applies. Entry is free, open dawn to dusk (except Wednesdays). Reviews praise its cleanliness and family-friendly vibe, though trails may wash out after rain. Check the Catawba County Parks website for details.