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You don't have to drive far to find beauty and tranquility in nature. Everything nature lovers need is right here in Salisbury, NC. Pack your outdoor gear in a rugged and tough Toyota Tacoma, put on your hiking boots, and explore three incredible natural areas down miles of scenic nature trails. Just Down the Road: 3 Fun Spots for Nature Lovers Near Salisbury, NC 1. Eagle Point Nature Preserve The breathtaking 200-acre Eagle Point Nature Preserve at 665 Black Road is the ideal spot in Salisbury to enjoy nature's beauty and solitude. The preserve has over three miles of back-to-back loop trails, including an interpretive plant and tree identification loop. The scenic trails cut through different types of forests typical to Central North Carolina and run to beautiful isolated coves and observation overlooks with spectacular views. more As you make your way down the trails, keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles around Goldeneye Cove, owls, egrets, herons, and kingfishers, and if you're lucky, you may spot raccoons and white-tailed deer along the way. The preserve also offers canoe and kayak access to High Rock Lake in summer when the water is at its highest. 2. Dan Nicholas Park Dan Nicholas Park at 6800 Bringle Ferry Road in Salisbury offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of fun outdoor activities. The park has a scenic lake, nature center, aquarium, animal habitats, and a campground. The Rowan Wild facility provides educational opportunities for kids and adults and is home to indigenous North Carolina animals, including black bears, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, white-tailed deer, alligators, raptors, and snakes. Paddle and fish for catch and release smallmouth bass, keeper bream, and catfish in the 10-acre spring-fed Lake Murtis, barbecue at a covered shelter with picnic tables and grills, and stay for a few nights in a lovely cabin or campsite in the woods. 3. Dunn's Mountain Park The peaceful 80-acre Dunn's Mountain Park at 1740 Dunn's Mountain Road in Salisbury is the newest Rowan County park. Hike to the summit of Dunn's Mountain on the easy half-mile trail through picturesque woods carpeted with wildflowers in the spring and summer months or when the leaves change color in fall. Once you're at the top, there are long-range binoculars and the best views of downtown Salisbury and Rowan County. It's also a great place to spend time outdoors, birdwatching, admiring the beautiful surroundings, enjoying peaceful picnics, and watching spectacular sunsets. Dunn's Mountain Park has a shuttle service over weekends that will take you up to the top of the mountain and back down again. Get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and discover beautiful natural areas filled with native plants, birds, and animals. Before you hit the road, call Cloninger Toyota today to schedule a maintenance service and ensure your car will get you safely anywhere you want to go.

The Old Stone House in Rowan County is one of the most iconic landmarks in North Carolina. Now a museum, this structure was once the masterpiece of a teenage immigrant who sailed from Germany to Philadelphia. Visitors who check out the home today can step back in time and view hundreds of artifacts from the eighteenth century. Here are five fascinating facts about this incredible piece of history that will make you the new local history expert. more 1. Its German Architecture Is Among the Best in the Southeast The house was built by Michael Braun, a German immigrant from the town of Granite Quarry. The stone design will easily make you feel like you're right in Germany. While it stands today as a magnificent piece of architecture, visitors will be surprised to know that wasn't always the case. The house stood abandoned during the 1900s and became the site of vandalism for over twenty years. At one point, developers wanted to tear down the thick granite walls to make way for a road. Today, this iconic structure stands among the best colonial-style homes in the North Carolina area. 2. It Took Seven Years to Build Braun began building the home on 274 acres of land near Crane Creek by hand. The entire project took 3,500 tons of granite from a quarry that a mile away. He polished each stone for the front of the house to fit together correctly and create an impressive design.  The back of the house did not share the same flair as the front – it stood unevenly supported on a wooden peg. 3. There Is a Secret Inscription Over the Doorway If you look up at the doorway as you enter the home, you'll see a hidden inscription chiseled into the stone above the door. The inscription refers to Braun and his three wives and ten children and the year the house was completed. Braun likely put it there because it is customary to inscribe new dwellings with the builder's name in Germany. 4. Many People Fought to Save the House After standing vacant for a long time, parts of the home began to collapse, and looters started to cut up pieces of the house for firewood. Family trustees first attempted to save the home in 1927 but could not afford the cost of repairs. A few years later, Braun's direct decedents tried to restore the house and ran into financing issues as well. The Rowan Museum stepped up in 1957, saved the home, and converted it into a museum. 5. Michael Braun is Buried Nearby Although it is not a confirmed fact, many people over the centuries have believed that the man who built the stone house, Michael Braun, is buried in the nearby family cemetery. The Braun cemetery is located across from the house where he and his wife Margareta lay at rest. Michael's headstone is missing, but visitors can still see his wife's original tombstone. Next time you are in the Salisbury area, challenge your friends and family to some history trivia and bring them to this landmark to learn while having fun. On your way back, visit Cloninger Toyota, where we will happily help you with all of your Toyota sales and service needs.