Woman sitting in a lawn chair drinking a beverage and watching a child skip rocks on the Catawba River

Yard & River Access

Step off the trail or out of the car and into something just a little wilder than your own backyard. The Watershed’s shaded, grassy yard is the heart of the park—a place to stretch out, settle in, and soak up the magic of the outdoors.

We’ve outfitted the space with sandy beaches, picnic tables, and lawn chairs for ultimate relaxation. Rent your own private riverside space complete with a fire pit and hammocks for your friends and family.  Kids can run free while parents keep a watchful eye from under the trees, cold drink in hand. With easy river access, shady shallows to wade in, deep holes to cool off in, and a quiet natural pond, there are endless opportunities for splashing, rock-skipping, and creature-spotting.

The yard is intentionally unstructured, allowing visitors to create their own experience each time they visit. It’s a place where kids can play and explore while friends and family reconnect with each other and the land.