An Experience AwaitsTake a walk on the wild side at Carolina Raptor Center's Raptor Trail. Our eagles, vultures, hawks, and falcons are waiting to say hello. Check out our calendar for weekly event schedules.More...
Creating Wonder In Children And AdultsCatch wonder by the tail with our formal and informal education programs. Children 3 to 93 will delight the science and natural history of 38 raptor species and how they have inspired human invention.More...
Conserving Birds One At A TimeStaff and volunteers at this hidden hospital in the woods treats over 900 injured and orphaned birds a year – more than any other US raptor center. Over 70% are released back into the wild!More...
Giving Is As Easy As 1-2-3Press the easy button by giving online, via phone or through traditional mail. Your passion and engagement fuels our mission every day.More...
Come And See Us Front gate of Carolina Raptor Center. Photo by Michele Miller Houck.About this imageFor most of the year, the Raptor Trail is open 7 days a week to visitors. Check our calendar for weekly offerings and special events. Ticket prices vary but many scheduled events are FREE with regular admission. Hours of Operation Spring, Summer, and Fall Hours (March - October) Monday through Saturday 10 am – 5 pm Sunday Noon-5 pm Winter Hours (November - February) Closed Monday and Tuesday Wednesday through Saturday 10 am – 5 pm Sunday Noon-5 pm Closed: Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day Admission Fees $12 - Adults $10 - Seniors, Teachers, Military Adults $8 - Students 4 and Older with Student ID Free – Children 3 and Under and Members For Free Admission for One Year Investigate Annual Membership Directions to Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 From the North: Statesville/Winston Salem Take I-77 South to exit 25 - Sam Furr Road. Turn right off of the exit toward Birkdale Village. Continue 2.5 miles and take a left at the light on Beatties Ford Road. In approximtely 4 miles, turn right at Sample Road. Carolina Raptor Center is located inside Latta Plantation Nature Preserve at 6000 Sample Road. Facility is on the left. First entrance for Raptor Hospital and injured birds. Second entrance for visitors and the public. From the South: Charlotte and South Carolina Take I-77 North to exit 16B -- Sunset Road (west). Merge into traffic on Sunset Road. Drive 1/2 mile and turn right at the light on Beattie’s Ford Road. Drive approximately 6 miles and turn left on Sample Road. Carolina Raptor Center is located inside Latta Plantation Nature Preserve at 6000 Sample Road. Facility is on the left. First entrance for Raptor Hospital and injured birds. Second entrance for visitors and the public. From the East: Concord and Monroe Take I-485 North – Outer Loop to Harris Blvd – Exit 14. Right on Harris Boulevard. Left at the light on Mount Holly Huntersville Road. Drive 1/2 mile and turn right on Beatties Ford Road. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn left on Sample Road. Carolina Raptor Center is located inside Latta Plantation Nature Preserve at 6000 Sample Road. Facility is on the left. First entrance for Raptor Hospital and injured birds. Second entrance for visitors and the public. From the West: Gastonia and Spartanburg Take I-85 to I-485 North towards Huntersville to exit 21 -- Harris Boulevard. Left on Harris Boulevard. Drive 1/2 mile and take a left at the light on Mount Holly Huntersville Road. Drive 1/2 mile and turn right on Beatties Ford Road. Drive approximately 2 miles and turn left on Sample Road. Carolina Raptor Center is located inside Latta Plantation Nature Preserve at 6000 Sample Road. Facility is on the left. First entrance for Raptor Hospital and injured birds. Second entrance for visitors and the public. See Google Maps for more info about directions. Service Animal/Pet Guidelines - NEW! Carolina Raptor Center welcomes visitors with disabilities who use service animals as determined by the American’s with Disabilities Act. Guests using service animals can check in with our visitor services staff in the gift shop and be provided with all the information needed to have an enjoyable visit to our center. Along with information about our center, guests with service animals will receive a map outlining what areas (if any) are restricted at this time to your service animal. At this time, personal pets are not permitted on Raptor Center grounds. Latta Plantation Nature Preserve is pet friendly, but please do not plan on visiting Carolina Raptor Center after hiking or walking with your pet. We have a very strong "no pets left in cars or in our parking lot" procedure that we enforce if guests plan on still coming to Carolina Raptor Center. The natural instinct of birds in the wild, even predatory species such as raptors, is to be fearful of larger animals, including canines. Carolina Raptor Center’s keepers and trainers are working actively with the animals in our collection to avoid adverse reactions to outside animals, but there are some birds who will still react strongly and negatively to the presence of a dog or service animal around their enclosure. It is for this reason that a few areas on our grounds may be restricted to you and your service animal. This currently includes our free-flight shows and some areas that take guests into our hospital and behind the scenes. If you notice a bird reacting negatively to the presence of your animal, i.e. flying about in a panicked way, clinging to the sides of an enclosure, panting due to stress, etc., please move along to the next enclosure and alert a staff member or volunteer. We appreciate your cooperation and your assistance as we work toward making these experiences positive for all people and animals involved! Please call our Visitor Center if you have any questions about our service animal/pet guidelines.
