NC Trails - Great State Trails Coalition

Stroller Rollers
2025-04-17 09:00 - 10:30 UTC
Calling all caregivers with little ones! Join us monthly on third (April-October) Thursdays with your kids in strollers for a walk and roll along the Downtown Greenway. Meet new people and explore the downtown area as we venture out from LoFi Park. Plan for one to two miles roundtrip, including a stop at family-friendly play spaces along the way.

On-street parking is available nearby, or in the public parking deck at 215 N. Eugene Street.

Yappy Hour
2025-04-16 17:30 - 19:30
It’s time for the pups to party! Come out to Yappy Hour on Wednesday, April 16th from 5:30-7:30 pm at LoFi Park.

Bring your dogs (on-leash) for a fun-filled evening of making new friends, splashing in the waters, and enjoying some treats.

Connect with local community organizations and dog-centric businesses, who will be offering giveaways, information, and services to support your furry friends!

Kayak the Salt Marsh
2025-04-16 09:00 - 12:00
Learn about salt marshes and wildlife while on the water. Basic kayak instruction and safety lessons on shore are followed by a 1.5-mile paddle through the salt marsh in our sit-in cockpit touring kayaks; or bring your own kayak and join us at a discount. The program is recommended for ages 12 and up. All participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Participants must know how to swim; some kayak experience is recommended.
Field programs are designed to give participants a hands-on experience with North Carolina’s environment, history, and culture. Please note that these programs take place primarily outside. Please review the age and experience requirements before registering. Pre-registration is required by noon the day prior to the program. Register online at ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com. For more information, call 252-504-7758.
North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort

Intro to Permaculture
2025-04-13 13:00 - 14:00
What exactly is permaculture design? Join us to learn more and find ways to easily incorporate basic permaculture principles into your own backyard! Turn your outdoor space into an edible landscape by imitating and intensifying nature’s way – while providing food for your family, friends, and our pollinators!
Pre-registration is encouraged: tinyurl.com/DGintropermaculture. Drop-ins welcome.

Groovin' on the Greenway
2025-04-12 16:00 - 17:00
Get ready to move at Groovin’ on the Greenway! Join us for an afternoon celebrating movement and expression. Watch a captivating performance by Zodwa Dance Co, then join in for a fun Afro-Caribbean line dance lesson!

Register online (tinyurl.com/DGdanceclass) and let’s dance the day away at the Freedom Cornerstone!

Located at the corner of Murrow Blvd. and E. Gate City Blvd.; parking available at 750 Plott Street.

Beginner Birding
2025-04-07 17:30 - 19:00
Interested in what might be soaring above you?

Join the Piedmont Bird Club for a relaxing walk through Morehead Park along the Downtown Greenway to explore the basics of birding. You’ll learn how to identify birds by their colors, sounds, habitats, and more—potentially sparking a new hobby!

Register online at tinyurl.com/DGbirds
Drop-ins welcome; space permitting.

Party for the Pine 2025
2025-04-05 10:00 - 15:00 | Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, NC, 28388, United States
Join us at the Weymouth Woods Boyd Tract meadow for a FREE festival to celebrate the oldest longleaf pine in the world. Learn about our native habitat, see turpentine demonstrations, play games, and, weather permitting, watch a live prescribed burn demonstration! Food trucks on site.
Park at 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-2167; www.partyforthepine.org

Public Hike: Ridgeline Trail
2025-04-05 09:00 - 14:00
Join Carolina Thread Trail staff on this advanced hike, which showcases forests and vistas that lie between two of the region’s most notable state parks. This approximately 9-mile hike, largely comprised of the Ridgeline Trail, traverses the undulating terrain of the Crowders and Kings Mountain “monadnock” ridge. Monadnocks are unique geological features comprised of more erosion-resistant rock that rise abruptly above the surrounding landscape. Monadnocks represent most of the steep ridges found in the Carolina piedmont.
This point-to-point hike, while immersing participants in beautiful natural environment, is considered challenging based upon length, duration and terrain. Please be prepared for a hike that will last between 4-5 hours. Once we arrive at Crowders Mountain State Park Visitors Center Pinnacle Trailhead, a shuttle van will transport participants back to Kings Mountain State Park.
To cover the cost of transportation and state park admission, there is a $40 cost for this hike.

Walking Tour
2025-04-05 09:00 - 12:00
Our guided walking tours cover a wealth of information about the Downtown Greenway project, local history, surrounding neighborhoods, public art installations, environmental stewardship, economic impact, and more!

Each tour will travel the 4-mile loop of the Downtown Greenway, and start and finish in LoFi Park (500 N. Eugene Street).

Register online at https://tinyurl.com/DGwalktours Drop-ins welcome; space permitting.

First Friday Storytimes
2025-04-04 10:00 - 11:00
Join us every First Friday of the month, from April to October, at 10 am in Woven Works Park for a fun-filled storytime! Bring your little ones to enjoy engaging books and interactive play, all hosted by a local youth librarian.

These storytimes are made possible in partnership with Greensboro Public Library.

We can’t wait to see you at the first storytime!

Parking is available at 401 Cumberland Street

Curious Minds Science Adventures (NC Science Festival)
2025-04-01 - 2025-04-30 | Lumber River State Park – Chalk Banks Access, 26040 Raeford Road, NC, 28396, US
This is a month-long event! Stop by any time during April to participate.
Listen carefully and you may be able to hear the bygone shouts of lumberjacks hauling logs downriver at Lumber River State Park on the Coastal Science Trail. Today, it’s more likely that you’ll see paddlers and boaters floating between its quiet banks. Lined with cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, the river is home a variety of native fish and magnificent birds, like the swallow-tailed kite and prothonotary warbler. Explore an abundance of wildlife and plant life on this National Wild and Scenic River. What will you find when you go?
The NC Science Trail has partnered with the NC State Parks to bring you seven new scavenger hunts this Science Festival season. Explore the wildlife, plants, trees, and outdoor recreation at state parks across the state. All you have to do is download the Goosechase app, enter the “Join Code” (XHUIVI), and start your adventure at the Chalk Banks Access Entry Kiosk. Adventures will “go live” on March 24 and can be completed at any time all month long. Complete at least 7 out of 10 missions and redeem your points at Park Office at the Princess Ann Access for prizes.

Contact Information

Michele Miller Houck

michele@ncsciencetrail.org

Creek Week Hike: Pegg Tract to Miles Branch
2025-03-30 13:00 - 15:00
Due to forecast of thunderstorms and rain on March 16th we are rescheduling this hike to March 30th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. Join Friends of Lower Haw River for an easy hike along the beautiful “Pegg Tract” section of the Lower Haw River State Natural Area. Enjoy views of the Bynum Dam and one of the Haw’s tributaries Miles Branch while walking upstream of the Haw River. Meet in the parking lot at US 15-501 by the Haw River. Wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven ground. There are no restroom facilities at this location.

Canvas Painting
2025-03-30 13:00
Local artist, Darlene J. McClinton, will be leading a guided canvas painting class on the Downtown Greenway.
Join us at the Morehead Park Trailhead (475 Spring Garden St.) for a fun afternoon of fall-themed creativity, right under Darlene’s own “Bridging The Gap” mural. All supplies will be provided, and participants will be able to take home their own canvas masterpiece!
Pre-registration is required: tinyurl.com/DGpaintclass

Downtown Greenway Run & Walk Club
2025-03-27 18:00 - 19:00
Join us every Thursday evening for a social run or walk along open sections of the Downtown Greenway. The group typically covers 2-4 miles. All ages and fitness abilities welcome.
Visit their Facebook page for updates and weather cancellations.

Volunteer at the Public Orchard
2025-03-23 13:00 - 15:00
Help support the preservation of our public orchard! On Sunday, March 23 from 1-3 pm, the Greensboro Permaculture Guild is hosting a volunteer workday. All are welcome to help get things ready for the season at the orchard – located at Meeting Place, our Tradition Cornerstone on the Downtown Greenway (corner of W Smith St. and Prescott St.)

No experience necessary. Volunteers are needed to help with pruning, weeding, and new plantings. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just looking to get involved, this is a great chance to give back to our green space and contribute to its long-term health. Together, we can ensure this beautiful community resource thrives for years to come!

Triangle Trails Initiative 2nd Annual Trail Activation Event
2025-03-15 10:00 - 14:00 | 2139 Old Reedy Creek Rd. Cary, NC 27513, 2139 Old Reedy Creek Rd, Cary, NC, 27513, United States
Triangle Trails Initiative will be hosting their 2nd annual trail activation event at 286 Lake Crabtree. Come join us on Saturday March 15th from 10am – 2pm to enjoy the beautiful trails. There will be food trucks, vendors, and more. We are excited and look forward to seeing you there!

March Events with Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina
2025-03-09 - 2025-03-26
We’ve got several events and workdays on the schedule in the coming weeks. Take a look at the website to learn more and sign up!
https://www.foothillsconservancy.org/communityevents

Winter Birding Hike
2025-01-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Hanging Rock State Park, 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, NC, 27016, US
Join a park ranger on a hike to learn how to identify winter birds. You will learn how to identify birds visually and by their calls. We will hike 1.8 miles along the Wolf Rock Trail. Please wear proper hiking attire and bring water. There will be a limited number of binoculars to borrow so if you have your own please bring them with you. To sign up for the program please email Jonathan.buie@ncparks.gov.
Sat, Jan 25 2025, 9 – 11am
Shelter 42792 Hanging Rock Park RoadDanburyNC 27016

Jockey’s Ridge State Park Winter Star Party
2025-01-18 18:00 - 21:00 | Jockey’s Ridge State Park, 300 W Carolista Dr., NC, 27959, US
Join Jockey’s Ridge State Park and the OBX Astronomy Club for an evening under the stars. Telescopes will be set up for public viewing at the visitor center parking area. Table activities for kids will take place in the Community Room. Buckle in and let an educational video take you on a trip through space. There is also HOT COCOA! Join in the fun and bring your own equipment if you like. Beginners are encouraged to participate to learn more about the night sky and how to choose the right telescope. Come celebrate the wonders of the universe with friends and family at Jockey’s Ridge State Park.
Sat, Jan 18 2025, 6 – 9pm

Junior Ranger Hike
2025-01-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Hanging Rock State Park, 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, NC, 27016, US
Join a Park Ranger to explore topics about what makes Hanging Rock State Park unique. Learn about what a Park Ranger does, look for creatures, and earn a Junior Ranger badge, all while hiking around our lake. The trail is an easy 1-mile loop. This program is for children ages 5-12 and their families, but all are welcome. Be sure to bring water, good shoes for hiking, and weather-appropriate clothing. Registration is required – please email Jackson.perry@ncparks.gov.

Sat, Jan 18 2025, 1 – 3pm
Lake Bathhouse2847 Hanging Rock Park RoadDanburyNC 27016

Hike to Wolf Rock
2025-01-16 11:00 - 13:00 | Hanging Rock State Park, 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, NC, 27016, US
Join a park ranger on a hike to Wolf Rock. On this 2-mile hike we will meander through a mixture of oaks and pines, climb out on an outcropping of quartzite, and listen for the sounds of nature. Bring water and wear weather appropriate clothing. We will start and end our hike at Shelter 4 in the lake parking lot. Please email jackson.perry@ncparks.gov to register for the hike.
Thu, Jan 16 2025, 11am – 1pm
Shelter 42792 Hanging Rock Park RoadDanburyNC 27016

First Day Hike: Paint Hill Tract
2025-01-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, NC, 28388, United States
Start the year off right by getting outside for a First Day Hike! For this hike at one of Weymouth Woods’ satellite properties, Paint Hill Tract, we will hike an easy 1.5 mile. This property has more elevation change than much of the Sandhills, as well as a rare plant called the Sandhills pixiemoss (Pyxidanthera brevifolia, also spelled as Pyxie-moss or called littleaf pixiemoss) that blooms in winter.
Come dressed for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Meet at the parking area at the Stoneyfield Drive access.
Wed, Jan 1 2025, 3 – 4pm
Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve – Paint Hill TractStoneyfield DriveSouthern PinesNC 28387

First Day Hikes at Eno River
2025-01-01 14:00 - 16:30 | Eno River State Park – Fews Ford Access Picnic Shelter, 6101 Cole Mill Road, Durham, NC, 27705, United States
Start the New Year on the right foot with guided hikes along the Eno River! Join staff from Eno River State Park and the Eno River Association for either a two or four mile hike. Stay after for hot cocoa in the picnic shelter!
Both hikes will start from the picnic shelter in the Fews Ford Access parking loop.
Please arrive 30 minutes early to allow time for parking and walking to the picnic shelter. When you arrive, please follow any parking directions given by park staff or volunteers.
Wed, Jan 1 2025, 2 – 4:30pm
Eno River State Park – Fews Ford Access Picnic Shelter 6101 Cole Mill Road Durham, NC 27705

First Day Outdoors at the Stuart & Emma Thomas Memorial Trail
2025-01-01 14:00 - 16:00
Start the New Year with Nature!
Join Palmer McIntyre from Piedmont Land Conservancy on January 1st, 2025, for a refreshing start to the year with a guided hike on the beautiful Stuart & Emma Thomas Memorial Trail in Winston-Salem.
This easy-to-moderate 1.75-mile hike offers a chance to enjoy the serenity of the outdoors on mostly smooth, natural-surface trails with gradual climbs.
We’ll meet at the Dr. CB Hauser Trailhead near Paisley at 949 Gillete Street, Winston-Salem, and hike the trail and one of the scenic trail loops. The hike will take approximately 2 hours, providing plenty of time to pause, reflect, and enjoy the surroundings.
This event is free and open to the public, but spaces are limited to 20 participants, so be sure to sign up early to secure your spot!
Start the year off exploring nature with us!

First Day Hikes at Fort Macon State Park
2025-01-01 14:00 - 15:30 | Fort Macon State Park, 2303 E. Fort Macon Rd., NC, 28512, US
First Day Hikes – 2 p.m. (one short and one long)
Start off the new year with a hike in your favorite state park. Fort Macon State Park will be offering four ranger-led hikes this year, two at 9 a.m. and two at 2 p.m.
The shorter hike at 2 p.m. will offer a short nature and bird hike on the Yarrow’s Loop Trail and the inlet beach, covering 0.75 mile.
The longer hike at 3 p.m. will also be a nature and bird hike, but on the 3.2-mile Elliot Coues Trail.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle and bug spray.
Wed, Jan 1 2025, 2 – 3:30pm
Fort Macon State Park 2303 E. Fort Macon Road Atlantic Beach, NC 28512

First Day Hike at Rendezvous Mountain State Park
2025-01-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Rendezvous Mountain State Park, 1956 Rendezvous Mountain Rd, Purlear, NC, 28665, United States
On January 1st 2025 at 2pm, you can meet at the park office, (two story cabin building) for a Ranger led one mile stroll through the mountains mixed hardwood forest. This Ranger led program will last approximately one hour while we stop and discuss Rendezvous Mountain’s history.
Wed, Jan 1 2025, 2 – 3pm
Rendezvous Mountain State Park 1956 Rendezvous Mountain Rd Purlear, NC 28665

Fort Fisher First Day Walk
2025-01-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach, NC, 28449, United States
Start 2025 outside and active. Join us for a hike on the Basin Trail at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. Meet at 2pm at the Flag Pole beside the trail head and we will walk the 2.2 mile trail. Stay with the group or go at your own pace.
Trail covers various terrain including very soft sand and possible mud.
Wed, Jan 1 2025, 2 – 3pm
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area 1000 Loggerhead Road Kure Beach, NC 28449

First Day Hike – Raymond Fisher Pond
2025-01-01 14:00 - 15:00 | Gorges State Park – Grassy Ridge Access, 976 Grassy Ridge Road, NC, 28774, US
Join Park Staff for a 2025 First Day Hike down the Raymond Fisher Pond Trail.
Please be prepared for a moderate, 60 minute hike, with proper footwear and water. We will be meeting at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead area.
Wed, Jan 1 2025, 2 – 3pm
Gorges State Park – Grassy Ridge Access976 Grassy Ridge RoadSapphireNC 28774

First Day Outdoors at Haw River State Park - Great Blue Heron Loop Trail
2025-01-01 13:00 - 17:00
Kick Off 2025 in the Great Outdoors!
Join Dr. Ken Bridle from Piedmont Land Conservancy on January 1st, 2025, for an inspiring hike along the Great Blue Heron Loop Trail at Haw River State Park, just north of Greensboro.
This 3.75-mile trek is perfect for those looking to reconnect with nature in the new year. The trail winds through serene woodlands, offering smooth, natural surfaces and gentle climbs. Along the way, Dr. Bridle will share his deep knowledge of the natural world, highlighting unique features and points of interest.
We’ll begin at the Iron Ore Belt Access located at 6068 N Church Street, Greensboro, NC 27455, and follow the scenic loop. The hike is expected to take around 4 hours, giving plenty of time to explore, ask questions, and soak in the surroundings.
This free event is open to everyone, but space is limited to 20 participants—reserve your spot early to ensure you don’t miss out!
Step into the new year with curiosity, learning, and a deeper connection to nature. We hope to see you on the trail!

MTA First Day Hike - Point Lookout Trail in Old Fort
2025-01-01 13:00 - 16:00
Join the MTA on a 5-mile hike to Point Lookout on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

The Old Fort Trailhead is located at the end of Old Highway 70 about 3 miles west of Old Fort.Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QwLRy8EpVDm6k6Fa9

Old Fort and surrounding areas are recovering from Hurricane Helene. The Point Lookout Trail is open, but you will see areas that were affected by the storm. Hikers are expected to stay on the paved trail.

We hope you will join us for this First Day Hike.

Questions, contact the MTA at mtatrails@gmail.com
