Carolina Raptor Center is a raptor rehabilitation center and nature trail in Huntersville, Mecklenburg County, in North Carolina's Charlotte Region. Adult admission is $16. Hours: Raptor Trail hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, open 7 days a week; Upcoming closures: Nov. 2, 3, 7, 16, 17 and 26, 2026. Facts read from the official site on October 27, 2026.
- Hours10 a.m.–4 p.m.official hours below
- Admission$16 adults
- WhereHuntersvilleMecklenburg County, Charlotte Region
- DogsNot allowed
About Carolina Raptor Center
A raptor medical and education center in Latta Nature Preserve where visitors walk a three-quarter-mile trail past birds of prey.
- 3/4-mile trail through Latta Nature Preserve
- More than 30 avian ambassadors
- Programs included with admission
- Museums for All participant
Size and length: 3/4-mile trail
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Admission: $16 adults. Parking: Free ("It is always FREE to park")..
10 a.m.–4 p.m.Bring The Dog?
No general pet policy stated. Service animals welcome with conditions (tell Visitor's Center staff); emotional support or comfort animals are not permitted on the Raptor…
Full rule belowMake It a Day
Discovery Place Science is about 9 miles away (straight line).
4 places within 30 miles
Carolina Raptor Center Hours
Hours in a day
- Raptor Trail hoursEvery day10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Bars that fade start at sunrise or end at sunset or dark, which move with the season. The full hours, word for word, are in the list below.
- Raptor Trail hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, open 7 days a week
- Upcoming closures: Nov. 2, 3, 7, 16, 17 and 26, 2026
Hours source: official site, read October 27, 2026.
Admission and Parking
- Adult (23-64)$16.00
- Student (13-22)$14.00
- Seniors 65+, military, teachers, students$14.00
- Child (3-12)$12.00
- Under 3Free
- Tribal nation members: free with IDFree
The first price on each official line (where online and gate prices differ, the line below says which). Read October 27, 2026.
- Adult (23-64): $16.00
- Student (13-22): $14.00
- Child (3-12): $12.00
- Under 3: free
- Seniors 65+, military, teachers, students: $14.00
- Tribal nation members: free with ID
- SNAP EBT or WIC: party of up to four free general admission
- Prices exclude NC sales tax and online fees; groups of 15+ have separate pricing
Parking: Free ("It is always FREE to park").
Directions and Contact
- Address: 6000 Sample Road
- Phone: (704) 875-6521
- Map point: 35.35074,-80.91857, from the US Census geocoder on the official address. Directions in Google Maps
- Official site: carolinaraptorcenter.org
Dogs and Accessibility
- Dogs: No general pet policy stated. Service animals welcome with conditions (tell Visitor's Center staff); emotional support or comfort animals are not permitted on the Raptor Trail.
- Accessibility: "The Raptor Trail is not ADA accessible" (uneven terrain, slopes, steps). Wheelchairs allowed but none rented or loaned. Benches along trail. Sensory Inclusive Certified by KultureCity.
Near Carolina Raptor Center
- 1Discovery Place ScienceScience Museum With IMAX Dome Theatreabout 9 mi
- 2CarowindsAmusement Parkabout 17 mi
- 3Lake Norman State ParkState Parkabout 22 mi
- 4Crowders Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 23 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Coming Up in Huntersville
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Renaissance Festival | Oct 3-Nov 22 (Saturdays and Sundays 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, rain or shine) | Huntersville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Carolina Raptor Center: Raptor Tales story time | Sat, Oct 31: Raptor Trail open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (event time not published) | Huntersville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Carolina Raptor Center: Thanksgiving with the Raptors | Fri, Nov 27: Raptor Trail open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (event time not published) | Huntersville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
From our checked events calendar, matched by venue name and town; times and tickets are on each organizer’s page.
Also see Charlotte Region events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Carolina Raptor Center cost?
$16 adults. Adult (23-64): $16.00; Student (13-22): $14.00; Child (3-12): $12.00
What are the hours at Carolina Raptor Center?
Raptor Trail hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, open 7 days a week; Upcoming closures: Nov. 2, 3, 7, 16, 17 and 26, 2026.
Can I bring a dog to Carolina Raptor Center?
No general pet policy stated. Service animals welcome with conditions (tell Visitor's Center staff); emotional support or comfort animals are not permitted on the Raptor Trail.
What We Could Not Verify
- Pet policy for non-service pets not stated.
- Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.
Sources
- Carolina Raptor Center: hours (read 2026-10-27)
- Carolina Raptor Center: official site (read 2026-10-27)
- OpenStreetMap (map point)
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Carolina Raptor Center”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places-to-go-in-north-carolina/carolina-raptor-center/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.