Stevens Creek Nature Center, at 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, North Carolina, is within Stevens Creek Nature Preserve.
The nature center features live native animals, two classrooms (including one rentable space), gift shop, and an exhibit hall with interactive exhibits. The exhibits focus on protecting water quality and include an augmented reality sand table, living stream with fish and turtles, and 5-foot tall model of the federally endangered Carolina Heelsplitter mussel.
Environmental education and outdoor recreation staff offer public and private programming for all ages. Visitors can borrow loaner backpacks to take activities out on the trails or busy bags for smaller children to play with inside.
Events at Stevens Creek Nature Center and Preserve
Visit Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation’s activity search website for even more events. Some have fees. Keep in mind that for most of the events you need to call in advance or register online. Also check out the intended age range.
To register, find the event in Park and Recreation’s activity search website or call the phone number for the nature center. We provide links to register and for more information for each event, when available.
Here are just a very few of the upcoming events!
May Flowers Hike
Friday, May 1, 2026
2 to 3:15 p.m.
Free (register at above link)
All ages
Walk the first loop of the nature trails with a passionate nature educator to find the beautiful blooms of spring! Green and Gold, bluets, Trillium, and of course those cute fern fiddleheads.
Birding at Stevens Creek
Thursdays, May 7 and 21, 2026
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Stevens Creek
Free (register at above link)
Ages 18+
Step out onto the trails as we explore the preserve and search the skies for our beloved winged friends. From the radiant Northern Cardinals to the majestic Red-shouldered Hawks, the list of potential sightings is endless. Along the way, work on identification techniques to help everyone become better birders. Open to all levels of bird watching; BYO binoculars or borrow a pair from the nature center.
Nature Nerds Walk & Talk
Monday, May 11, 2026
10 to 11:15 p.m.
Free (sign up at above link)
Ages 18+
Everyone can be the teacher and share their nerdy knowledge! From new nature facts to trivia of your favorite tv show, meet your fellow nerds out in nature for a Walk and Talk. Our Environmental Educator will lead you along our first trail loop to share fascinating science facts and open the discussion for new discoveries. New topics every month!
Early Bird Bug Hunt
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free (register at above link)
All ages; best for ages 5+
The bugs are coming out of hiding! Explore how the world is waking up in the spring weather by searching for crawling, flying and jumping creatures. All ages are welcome to sweep net and log roll their way into new arthropod adventures, with staff provided guidance and tools.
Animal Care Behind the Scenes
Sunday, May 17, 2026
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Free (register at above link)
Ages 4+
Celebrate the season of growth with the animal ambassadors at Stevens Creek Nature Center and discover all of the effort that goes behind keeping them healthy. Assist staff as they provide daily care for our snakes, turtles, fish, and toads including upkeep, feedings, and a meet & greet!
World Turtle Day (Drop-In)
Friday, May 22, 2026
1 to 3 p.m.
Free (no registration required)
All ages
Happy World Turtle Day! Have you ever wondered what secrets turtles are hiding within their shells? Well, wonder no more – our investigations have brought these mysteries to light and we’re eager to share. This family-friendly program includes the chance to interview some of these enigmatic creatures yourself.
World Otter Day (Drop-in)
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
1 to 3 p.m.
Free (no registration required)
All ages
Otters are some of the most intelligent and crafty mammals in our ecosystem – that’s worthy of celebration! Drop in today to interact with otter ‘biofacts’ like a pelt, skull and scat, and make a take-home craft.
Creek Crawl
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Saturday, July 18, 2026
10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Free (register at above link)
Ages 5+
Dip your toes and a net in a cool creek this summer, searching for aquatic critters. Stevens Creek is home to fish, frogs, salamanders and oh so many baby bugs, hiding just below the water’s surface. Gently collect some specimens, then identify them to assess habitat health.
Trails Day: Science of the Trails Hike
Saturday, June 6, 2026
10 to 11:15 a.m.
Free (register at above link)
Ages 18+
Have you ever wondered why your favorite trails go where they go? Or how they were built? Celebrate National Trails Day with a guided hike around the first loop of the SCNC trail system. Together we’ll explore the history of trails and the surprising engineering that goes into creating and maintaining them.
Firefly Night Hike
Sunday, June 21, 2026
8 to 9:30 p.m.
$5 for Mecklenburg County residents; $6 for non-residents
Ages 5+
It’s the first night of the summer and the night sky has its summer twinkle once again. But it’s not just the stars twinkling, the fireflies are out too! Look for, observe and hopefully catch some fireflies on this night hike. They will help light the way as we set out on the trails for a 1-mile guided hike. All fireflies caught will be released back to the wild.
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Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:Stevens Creek Nature Preserve and Center
15700 Thompson Road
Mint Hill, NC
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