Great Bend Park - NC | YEAR OF THE TRAIL | 2023

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Great Bend Park

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350 Greenwood Drive
Burlington
NC
27217

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🌲🏞️ Embrace the Beauty of North Carolina's

🌲🏞️ Embrace the Beauty of North Carolina's Public Lands & Trails! 🌄🚶‍♀️

From the rolling peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the serene shores of the Outer Banks, North Carolina's public lands and trails are a treasure waiting to be explored. 🌊⛰️ Today, we celebrate the boundless opportunities these lands and trails offer - for adventure, reflection, and connection with nature. 🚴‍♂️

Whether you're hiking through lush forests, mountain biking along rugged trails, or simply soaking in the majestic views, our public lands and trails invite you to be a part of their story. 📖💚

Let's honor our responsibility as stewards, ensuring these lands and trails remain vibrant and accessible for generations to come. 🌳🌎

Share your favorite North Carolina trail adventure, and let's inspire others to discover the magic of our state's natural treasures one trail at a time!

📸🌅 #ExploreNC #PublicLandsProud #TrailBlazers #NCAdventures #YOTT #GreatTrailsNC #GreatTrailsState #YearOfTheTrail 🌿🌄🥾

In 1994, @mypubliclands organized a "Public Lands

In 1994, @mypubliclands organized a "Public Lands Appreciation Day" at two public land sites in California and Nevada. The advertisement for the event noted: "Our nation's public lands are a gold mine in which all Americans can stake a claim. But without the investment of volunteers, they're in danger of going broke."

On Saturday, we will be celebrating the 30th iteration of annual event, now known as National Public Lands Day! 🌳🌿😍 @neefusa_org coordinates the event, which has become the largest single-day volunteer event dedicated to our public lands, celebrated by agencies at the federal, state, and local level.

We value our volunteers as good as gold. Without the generosity of North Carolina residents and visitors — donating their time, labor, money, and other resources — many of our state parks would not exist today.

If you don't have plans yet this weekend, consider participating in one of our volunteer events on this special day! We also have Nature Day at South Mountains, the Mountain Monarch Festival at Gorges, and a celebration of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail at Chimney Rock. The full list of events is at greatrrailsnc.com

If you can't make it to one of our parks this weekend, check out our Volunteer page for other opportunities, including how to join the @ncfsp or your local state park's friends group: ncparks.gov/volunteer.

And for #TBT, enjoy these images of our volunteers through the years from our archives:
1. Volunteers doing trailwork at William B. Umstead State Park, c. 1990 ⚒️
2. Volunteers participating in beach cleanup at Bear Island at Hammocks Beach State Park, c. 1980 🗑️
3. Volunteers participating in the Big Sweep at Lumber River State Park, c. 1995 🛶
4. Student volunteers working on building project at Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, c. 1989 ⚒️

Reposted from @ncstateparks

🍂 Embracing the Magic of Autumn 🍁 As the Au

🍂 Embracing the Magic of Autumn 🍁

As the Autumnal Equinox graces North Carolina, nature transforms into a breathtaking tapestry of colors. It's the perfect time to hit the trails and immerse yourself in the vibrant beauty that blankets our state! 🚶‍♀️🌳

From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coastal trails, North Carolina's outdoors come alive with a symphony of reds, oranges, and yellows. 🌄🍂

Join us in celebrating this equinox by exploring the trails, breathing in the crisp air, and savoring the moments of serenity only nature can provide. 🌞🍁

What's your favorite North Carolina trail for embracing autumn's splendor? Share your recommendations below! 👇🏞️

#AutumnEquinox #NorthCarolinaTrails #NatureLovers #FallColors #GreatTrailsNC #YOTT #yearofthetrail

Join the Brackenfest 2.0 and pedal your way toward

Join the Brackenfest 2.0 and pedal your way towards preserving nature! 🚴‍♂️🌳

THIS SATURDAY, help us secure the land and kickstart the creation of 2-3 miles of inclusive trails for our entire community. Let's match or surpass last year's success to make Bracken Preserve even better!

Learn more and register by following the link under our bio.

@oskarblueswnc @thehubpisgah @conservingcarolina @earthmountainbicycle @cedarmountainoutpost @squatchbikes @lookingglassrealty @noblebraubrewing @185kingstreet @_sylvansport @3oakhandcrafted @sycamorecycles
#Brackenfest2 #PreserveAndExpand #GreatTrailsState #GTS #YOTT #YearofTheTrail

🌿🌟 Celebrate North Carolina's Year of the Tr

🌿🌟 Celebrate North Carolina's Year of the Trail with Kid-Friendly Adventures! 🚴‍♂️🌲

1️) Fairy Trail at Bullington Gardens, Hendersonville 🧚‍♀️
Step into a world of enchantment along the 300-yard Fairy Trail! Open seasonally from June to August, this magical path, crafted by volunteer Mary Martin in 2017, beckons families into a miniature realm of make-believe. Discover fortune-telling fairies, yoga-practicing gnomes, and endless laughter from young explorers. Let the Fairy Trail inspire your own scenes of wonder!

📍 Bullington Gardens, Hendersonville, NC 28792

2️) Saxapahaw Island Trail, Saxapahaw 🏝️
Just a short walk or drive from Saxapahaw, this island paradise is perfect for kids and families. Explore a 1.3-mile walking loop around the island, offering riverfront fun, wildlife spotting, picnicking, and shady hammock naps. Let kids play on swing sets, slide down a 45-foot-long wooden fish, ascend the spider climber, and unleash their creativity at the fort creation station.

📍 Saxapahaw Island Park, Graham, NC 27253

3️) Flytrap Trail at Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach 🌱
Embark on a captivating half-mile journey along the Flytrap Trail at Carolina Beach State Park. Winding boardwalks guide you through pocosin wetlands, where you can seek out the Venus flytrap, North Carolina's official carnivorous plant, and other carnivorous wonders like pitcher plants and sundews. Kids can become explorers as they search for these unique plants in their natural habitat.

📍 Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach, NC 28428

Adventure awaits on North Carolina's trails! Which one will you explore first? 🌄👣

Read the full article on @ourstatemag by following the link under our bio.

#YearOfTheTrail #KidFriendlyAdventures #FamilyFun #NorthCarolinaTrails 🌟🚴‍♀️

🌟🌄 Thank You to everyone who joined us at th

🌟🌄 Thank You to everyone who joined us at the Ten to Try: Trails Preview event on August 31st! 🚴‍🎬

James Mieczkowski, content development producer at @mypbsnc and executive producer of Ten to Try: Trails, led an insightful discussion featuring:

🌍 Randy Johnson - Author & Travel Writer/Editor
🌟 Vivianette Ortiz - Executive Director, Aventureros en las Carolinas
🎬 Matt Chenet - Series Producer
🎥 Jeremiah McLamb - Producer/Director

If you missed any part of the Ten to Try: Trails discussion or wish to revisit it, you can watch the recording by clicking the link provided in our bio.

Your feedback holds immense value to us, the filmmakers, our production partners, and PBS North Carolina. Please spare a moment to share your thoughts about the event by participating in our brief audience survey, also linked under our bio.

Remember, Ten to Try: Trails is now available for streaming online and on the PBS App - Thank you for being part of this incredible journey, celebrating the beauty and wonder of trails that connect us all! 🌟🌲🚶‍♀️

#TenToTryTrails #Trailblazers #PBSNorthCarolina #YearOfTheTrail

Dogs love #YearOfTheTrail just as much as we do! 🐾

This week’s #YearOfTheTrail selection is the Blue Ridge Conservancy Trail located here in Blowing Rock. This 2.2 mile loop meanders up and around the BRC Campus, winding through diverse forests and delighting hikers with bold rock outcroppings mixed in with lush wildflower segments throughout.

The Blue Ridge Conservancy Trail is a relatively short but moderately strenuous hike. It begins with a short Pollinator Walk before leading up the mountain. While it doesn’t offer any overlook views, this is a great trail for exercising, dog-walking, and for those who are interested in viewing native wildflowers and some really unique rock structures.

This is a fairly low-traffic trail, which will offer some great leaf looking this Fall for those who want to avoid the congestion on those busy days on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is plenty of parking at the trailhead, and great signage as well.

Reposted from @blowingrocknc
#greattrailsnc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsstate #northcarolina

It's "Creek Week" in Rowan County, NC! 🚣‍♀️ Check out the events that will be hosted during this week-long celebration of Rowan County's waterways.

🚣 Free Kayak Launch at Lake Corriher
📍Lake Corriher Wilderness Park
When: Sept. 17 from 8am - 5pm

🎣 Kids Fish Free at Lake Corriher
📍Lake Corriher Wilderness Park
When: Sept. 17 from 8am - 5pm

🌊 Creek Crawl and Exploration
📍Lake Corriher Wilderness Park
When: Sept. 17 from 2pm - 3:30pm

🥾 Stanback Educational Forest Hike
📍Fred and Alice Stanback Educational Forest and Nature Preserve
When: Sept. 18 from 5:30pm - 6:30pm

🌊 Water Wednesday
📍City Lake Park
When: Sept. 20 from 4pm - 6pm

🧽 Town Creek Cleanup
📍Town Creek Park
When: Sept. 22 from 5pm - 7pm

🗑 Heroes Branch Litter Cleanup
📍Heroes Creek Branch
When: Sept. 23 from 8:30am - 10am

See more details as well as our full list of events by visiting the link under our bio.

#greattrailsnc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsstate #northcarolina #creekweek #rowancounty #rowancountync

🌟 It has been an EPIC year of adventure in Nort

🌟 It has been an EPIC year of adventure in North Carolina! 🌄🚴‍♂️

The counties with the most events for the Year of the Trail are turning up the excitement! From jaw-dropping coastal trails in Dare County to greenways in Wake County, and everything in between, it's time to explore the Tar Heel State like never before. 🗺️👟

Let's make 2023 the year of unforgettable trails and outdoor fun! 🎉🌲

#greattrailsnc #yearofthetrail #greattrailsstate #northcarolina #NCAdventures #ExploreNC #TrailBlazers

Celebrate the inaugural Great Trails State Day on

Celebrate the inaugural Great Trails State Day on Saturday, October 21st, and join thousands of others on North Carolina’s amazing and diverse trail networks that span from the mountains to the coast.

Call a neighbor or friend, lace up your shoes or boots, get on a bike, borrow a kayak, or saddle up your horse and get outside on a trail! And, don’t forget to smile and say, “hello!” to others you may see out there!

There’s truly a trail for everyone, everywhere, in North Carolina – from easy and accessible to challenging and even thrill-seeking. Every trail is an adventure for exploration, movement, health, and joy.

Read more by following the link under our bio.

#yearofthetrail #greattrailsnc #greattrailsstate

Raleigh, NC – The NC Division of Parks and Recreat

Raleigh, NC - The NC Division of Parks and Recreation (NCDPR) recently awarded $3,025,636 in grants for 13 land acquisition projects through the Complete the Trails Program Fund (CTF). These grants will leverage more than $13 million in matching funds to help local nonprofit partners acquire land for state trails projects in nine North Carolina counties. Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) was awarded two land acquisition grants, for $125,000 and $144,000 respectively, to expand the corridor for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST). These grants will allow BRC to protect an additional 48 acres on The Peak in Creston, which will eventually become part of Elk Knob State Park and the NPST.

“We are very excited about the two land acquisition awards that BRC received from the Complete the Trails Program,” says NPST Coordinator Jordan Sellers. “That type of funding is crucial to completing our state trails and we thank the NC General Assembly for supporting our work in this way. These acquisitions will continue protection along the Amphibolite Mountains, expand Elk Knob State Park and expand the NPST corridor. Thank you to BRC’s Land Protection Director, Eric Hiegl, for making this happen.”

Follow the link under our bio for more details.
Reposted from @northernpeaksstatetrail

culturequeensoutdoors is outside! For this editio

culturequeensoutdoors is outside!

For this edition of "day hikes in NC" founder Jennifer Michelle travels to Carter Falls. 🥾🌳

"This 10 minute, half mile hike, did not disappoint. I was the only one there because of the possible storm and enjoyed every minute of it. Bring your water shoes, snacks and a bag to carry your trash out. LEAVE NO TRACE."

The trailhead to Carter Falls connects in the other direction to a segment of North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Add this hike to your list and enjoy a nice day in the water.

Note: This is a moderate hike with steep decline to access the water feature.

Join them for their next hike, Sep 30. Link in bio to all of their upcoming events!

#culturequeensoutdoors #mst #yearofthetrail #visitnc #culturequeenshike #blackgirlshike #mountaintoseatrail #carterfalls

THE OUTDOOR RECREATION ECONOMY GENERATES $11.8 BILLION IN
ANNUAL REVENUE IN NORTH CAROLINA & 130,000 jobs

trails are building north carolina

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

The Great Trails State Coalition is a broad-based group of diverse organizations, agencies, and supporters advocating for increased state investment in all types of trails statewide: hiking, paddle, mountain biking, equestrian, and paved.

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