Everything you need to know about visiting the Highland Cows at Whitewater Center

Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina, is not just a warm-weather destination. In the winter it hosts an ice skating rink, a winter trail, pond hockey and illuminated night time activities.

This winter (2025) it is also hosting some special visitors — Highland Cows.

Basic info about the cows’ visit

Closeup of Highland Cow at Whitewater Center — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

A new fold of highland calves call Whitewater’s Windfall property in Lansing, North Carolina home, and in November and December four of them are wintering at Whitewater Center here in Charlotte.

They’ll be changing locations on the property from time to time.

It’s free to visit the Whitewater Center, but parking is $13. (An annual parking pass is $45.) The activities, like skating and Wildwoods, have a cost, but there’s no activity pass needed to look for the highland cows and take their picture!

What are the rules?

Two Highland Cows at Whitewater Center in Charlotte — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Do not go inside the fenced area.
Do not bring treats for the cows.
Do not feed or touch the cows unless a staff member has said you can.

Who are the Highland Cows?

The four Highland Cows are calves, ages 3 to 9 months old. They will return to the Windfall property in Lansing, North Carolina. after the holidays.

Rachel

Highland Cow at Whitewater Center — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Riata

Stormy

Highland Cows at Whitewater Center in Charlotte — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Elsa

Where are the Highland Cows?

Pasture at Whitewater Center — Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

At the time of this update, November 16, 2025, the cows are in a pasture next to the Off-Leash Area. The Off-Leash Area is to the south of the property. See this map.

You can view them from outside the fenced pasture. If they’re hanging out in the shade you can see them up close from within the Off-Leash Area. If you don’t have a dog with you, you don’t need a pass to go inside the Off-Leash area. If you have a dog, the cost for a day pass is $10. Annual passes are available too.

You won’t necessarily get a close look at them, but you might! It just depends where they’re hanging out.

However, they will be periodically moved to different grazing area. When you arrive at the Whitewater Center, ask at the Outfitters Center where the cows are.

Fun fact about the cows

The daily volume of the poop from a Highland Cow calf of this age is the size of an entire 7-year-old child. Disclaimer: It was a 7-year-old boy who told me this fun fact.

Learn More

Lean more about the highland cows and the other winter activities at Whitewater Center. Whitewater Center is at 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Double-Check Before You Head Out!

We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.

However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.

Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.

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: