Lazy 5 Ranch and Dan Nicholas Park
It all started when Lazy 5 Ranch owner Henry Hampton, who had raised exotic animals on his own for years, began letting school groups peek at his animals through the fence of his farm and through the barn doors. He started to realize the educational and recreational potential of his animals and a plan to open a park began to form in his mind.
On May 22, 1993, Hampton officially opened the doors of the Lazy 5 Ranch with a mere five employees, two buildings, and two horse-drawn wagons. Hampton now operates the ranch, which is about an hour from Charlotte, on his own without federal or state funding.
Visitors to the Lazy 5 Ranch can visit an antique horse barn, a blacksmith shop, a gift store, several petting areas and a wooden playground set shaped like Noah’s Ark. The most popular feature of the park is the three and a half mile safari ride, which visitors can enjoy while riding on a horse-drawn wagon or in their own vehicles. Buckets of feed are provided for those who go on the safari ride, and the animals in the woods are ready and eager to eat and socialize.
Among the animals on the ranch are giraffes, a rhinoceros, camels, zebras, ring-tailed lemurs, emus, ostrich, water buffalo and pot-bellied pigs.
A large covered picnic area and soda machines are located next to the playground area. Those visiting the ranch should bring their own snacks and lunches, as there is no food sold on the premises and the nearest restaurants are about 10 miles away in Mooresville.
The Lazy 5 Ranch is open 365 days a year. Its hours are 9 a.m. until one hour before sunset Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. until one hour before sunset on Sunday. Admission is $8.50 per adult, $5.50 for children 2-11 and senior citizens. Children under two are free. Costs for a wagon ride are an additional $5 per person. Slots for the wagon rides fill up quickly so it is best to make appointments before a visit by calling 704-663-5100. Those looking to explore the ranch are asked to arrive at least two hours before closing time to ensure enough time to see all the animals and enjoy the safari ride.
Another great day trip opportunity, the Dan Nicholas Park, is just down the road from the Lazy 5 Ranch in Salisbury, N.C. The park, named for entrepreneur Dan Nicholas, is located on 435 acres in scenic Rowan County. Admission to the park is free, and there is such an abundant amount of activities located at the park that it may take more than one day to see them all. Visitors are welcome to stay at the 75-site family campground located at the end of 10-acre Lake Murtis.
Younger children will delight in a ride on Haden’s Carousel, which opened in 1998 and is named after a local benefactor, Haden Holmes Hurley. Cost to ride the carousel is $1 per person with children under the age of one riding for free. It is open daily throughout the summer and on a limited schedule in the winter months.
The Hurley Station, home to the “Spencer Moose” and the “Stanback Express” trains serves as the ticket agent as well as souvenir shop for train enthusiasts. The two trains depart daily from the station and offer an enjoyable ride around the park. Cost to ride the train is $1 per person, with children under the age of one riding for free.
There are also many free things to do at the park. A large contained playground area is available to children of all ages, and The Rowan Nature and Learning Center is provides many educational and interesting displays. Behind the center is a display area with animals such as black bears, coyotes and hawks. A self-guided 1/4-mile walking trail is also located in that area as well. The Two Mile Trail offers a more vigorous walk through the park. And a third trail allows visitors to take in some of the newer portions of the park.
Other recreational opportunities located at the park include tennis courts, volleyball courts, paddleboats, bank fishing on the nearby lake and miniature golf.
The Lazy 5 Ranch and Dan Nicholas Park are great outdoor excursions for any families or individuals living in the Piedmont or near Charlotte who are wanting to enjoy nature, visit with animals and spend some quality time together without traveling too far from home.
