Latta Nature Preserve sessions on Mountain Island Lake
Sixteen miles of trails, a lake and a lot of woods north of Charlotte. If you remember Latta Plantation, the name and the site have changed, so here is what is true today.
I live in Asheville and travel to Charlotte sessions, about 130 miles and two hours and ten minutes away. Latta is the Charlotte-area location that feels closest to my mountain work: trees, trails and water.
First, the names. The county calls the whole park Latta Nature Preserve. The historic farm inside it, once known as Historic Latta Plantation, was renamed Latta Place in February 2022. Latta Place was closed in 2021 and the county expects it to reopen in 2027, subject to change. So for now, the preserve is the destination, and the historic buildings are not a photo location.
From a Stories by Esi session
What the preserve offers
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation lists Latta as the largest preserve in its system, at 1,460 acres, with 16 miles of trails for hikers and horseback riders. The county page describes views of the lake, forests and streams. Latta Place occupies about 16 acres within the preserve on Mountain Island Lake.
For a session I would choose a trail walk, a stretch of woods where the light filters through, and a spot where the lake opens up. The county's blog mentions a kayak launch and fishing, and highlights Buzzard Rock for its view. We would pick the spot by season and by how far you want to walk. Fall brings color, winter opens the views through bare trees, and spring brings new green.
Wooded trails for dappled, quiet frames
Lake edges and open views for wide, calm backgrounds
Early morning for soft light and few people
Weekday visits, since trails are shared with hikers and riders
Closures, hours and the quiet rules
The preserve's trails are generally open from sunrise to sunset, and can close when wet. The county has a trail hotline, (980) 314-1004, for conditions. Quest, the nature center at 6345 Sample Road in Huntersville, is open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. The county page also lists whole-preserve closures for wildlife management on November 2 to 3 and November 16 to 17, so check the page for the date you want.
Dogs must be on a leash, and the trails are shared with horseback riders, so we would step aside and keep our gear off the path. The history here also deserves care. The county says the land was lived on by Indigenous people, more than 65 enslaved men, women and children, and colonial and post-colonial landowners, and that the redesign will address the legacies of a plantation economy. I would keep that in mind and treat the site, and any memorial, with respect.
From a Stories by Esi session
Rules for photographers
As of October 2026, I did not find a page on the county's website that spells out photography permits or fees for portrait sessions in the preserve. The county's weddings and special events pages are handled through forms. Check current rules with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, 980-314-1000, before booking. I would also ask whether a session near Latta Place is allowed while it is closed. I would not plan on going inside any closed areas.
Good to know
Before we go
Official name
Latta Nature Preserve, 1,460 acres, the largest in the county system.Official info
Latta Place
Renamed from Historic Latta Plantation in February 2022. Closed in 2021, expected to reopen in 2027 (subject to change).Official info
Trails
16 miles of trails for hikers and horseback riders.Official info
Photography rules
No official photography permit page found as of October 2026. Check with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, 980-314-1000.Official info
Questions
Asked and answered
Is Latta Plantation open?
The site is now called Latta Place and it has been closed since 2021. The county expects it to reopen in 2027, subject to change. The surrounding Latta Nature Preserve and its trails are open, with some closures.
Is the preserve a good place for family photos?
Yes, if everyone likes to walk. The trails and the lake give plenty of variety. Early morning and weekdays are the quietest.
Do I need a permit for a photo session at Latta?
I could not find an official county page on this. Check current rules with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation before booking.
Tell me who you are, what you love, and the season you're in. I read every word.
I'm based in Asheville and travel to Charlotte for sessions, elopements and weddings. Tell me where you are, and travel details come with your collections.
