Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve is a 140-acre protected area in Cary featuring steep bluffs facing north that overlook Swift Creek. The site is home to rare Eastern Hemlock trees that normally grow in the Appalachian Mountains but thrive in this lowland setting.

The preserve was established in 1976 as a collaborative effort between North Carolina's state park system and the town of Cary. This partnership was formed to protect the area's natural features from development and ensure its long-term conservation.

The nature center here runs guided programs and workshops where visitors can learn about local plants, animals, and the ecosystems around them. These activities help people understand the natural systems that make this place special and how they support life.

The area has about 3 miles of mulched hiking trails with boardwalks, stairs, and viewing areas to explore. Admission is free year-round and the paths are well-maintained, making it accessible for visitors of different fitness levels.

The steep bluffs create conditions that allowed a complete mountain plant community to survive since the last ice age in this lowland area. This isolated population of hemlocks and other mountain plants is a living remnant of past climate periods.