Parks & Trails · Nature park · In Harrisburg

Pharr Mill Park

A quiet 37-acre park with a boardwalk overlook on the Rocky River, a fishing pond and wooded trails.

What to know

Pharr Mill Park is Harrisburg’s passive, nature-first park, operated by the town in partnership with Cabarrus County and certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat. Walking and biking trails lead to a boardwalk overlook above the Rocky River, and the park connects to the Carolina Thread Trail. It is also a historic site: the town notes that Rocky River Presbyterian Church, the first church between the Catawba and Yadkin rivers, stood here from 1751 to 1776. Autumn color is a particular reason to go.

Location and getting there

Pharr Mill Park is inside Harrisburg, in southwest Cabarrus County. The address is 6775 Pharr Mill Road, Harrisburg, NC 28075. Use the directions link from your own starting point; travel times depend on traffic and time of day, especially on speedway event weekends.

Planning notes

Gated with seasonal hours that close earlier in winter.
Connects to the Carolina Thread Trail; check the town page for the current trail condition after heavy rain.

Good for

Based on its listed features: active, free, date night, with kids. More active ideas.

Before you head to the park

Harrisburg’s four town parks — Harrisburg Park, Pharr Mill Park, Harris Depot Park and Stallings Park — are run by the Town of Harrisburg Parks & Recreation department, and each has a distinct character: active fields and a splash pad, a river boardwalk, historic buildings and disc golf, or ballfields and courts. Frank Liske Park, just north in Concord, is run by Cabarrus County and follows county rules and hours.

Town parks are gated with seasonal hours, and covered shelters are first come, first served unless someone holds a reservation. Trails and connections can be closed for projects or after heavy rain, so the official park page is the place to confirm current conditions.

Before you go

Check seasonal gate hours
Confirm shelter reservations if you are bringing a group
Look for trail or facility closures on the official page
Bring your own discs, bags or paddles where courts and courses are bring-your-own