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On June 7, we’re spreading the National Trails Day fun across North Carolina and South Carolina with a variety of FREE guided hikes and bike rides throughout the day in multiple locations. Pick the adventure you want and spend the day outdoors with us! Advance registration is required.

8:30 AM

Bike Ride at Mountain Creek Park
Join a ranger for a group ride on the Carolina Thread Trail at Mountain Creek Park! The ride will include a lollypop loop that is both novice-friendly and challenging enough for experienced riders.

9 AM

Irish Buffalo Creek Fun Run
Join our Trail and Volunteer Manager Becca Cohler, for a leisurely 5K fun run celebrating National Trails Day! The majority of this run is on a paved greenway, with a small portion on a natural surface trail. This event is for casual runners to enjoy a beautiful Saturday morning on the greenway, ideal for those who prefer a comfortable, easy-going pace.

Lincoln County Rail Trail Bike Tour
See the best of Lincoln County’s trail by bike with our Community Coordinator Jane Love! Scenery includes downtown Lincolnton, neighborhoods, rural yards, woods and a historic mill along the South Fork River.

“Cool” Bird Hike at Catawba College
Spend your Saturday morning on an easy birdwatching hike through the 100 Acre Ecological Preserve at Catawba College. Hike will go through floodplain/swamp and along waterfowl impoundments/ponds. Attendees may see summer taningers, herons, wood ducks, indigo buntings, and more.

Hike at Mountain Creek Park
Join a ranger for a group hike on the Carolina Thread Trail at Mountain Creek Park! The hike will follow a paved ADA-accessible trail that winds through a quiet cove to a pier looking out onto Lake Norman, then follow natural-surface trails to meander along the edge of the lake and through a loblolly forest for a leisurely stroll through the woods.

Twelve Mile Creek Greenway Hike
Hike Twelve Mile Creek Greenway, including crossing the NC-SC state line via suspension bridge, with staff from the Town of Waxhaw! We have National Trails Day on Saturday, June 7 at 9 am start time.  Location: HC Nesbit Trail Head -1304 H C Nesbit Park Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173 We will have a small team to help lead the hike on the Nature trail- CTT trail with the NC/SC Suspension bridge to SC- CTT trail side to Carrington Dr. Trail head (Rocks), then turn back to HC Nesbit. Sign-up can be found here.

9:30 AM

Tour of Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge – Bicycle Ride
Discover the beauty of the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in Anson County by bicycle. The Refuge, situated along the Pee Dee River, includes 8,500 acres of diverse landscapes including hardwood forests, pine forests, mixed fields, wetlands and open waters.

Hike and Sketch at Duke Kimbrell Trail
Join local artist Wil Bosbyshell and the Carolina Thread Trail for a nature sketching hike at the Duke Kimbrell Trail and Daniel Stowe Conservancy. The program will start with a quick sketching demonstration by Wil, then the group will hike out and use the remaining program time to sketch “en plein air” (outdoors)!

Guided Hike and Observations at Falcon Trail
Enjoy a leisurely hike on the Falcon Trail in Stanly County, NC. Hike leader Gary Weart is a photographer who often notices things others don’t while exploring the trail.

10 AM

Cowpens Battlefield History Hike
Come join the Carolina Thread Trail and National Park Service on a history hike at Cowpens National Battlefield. Enjoy an easy stroll where you will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of Cowpens as a key encampment for the Overmountain Men during the American Revolution who marched to Kings Mountain to face Major Patrick Ferguson and the British Army.

Lindsay Pettus Greenway Hike
Explore the Lindsay Pettus Greenway with our Land Conservation Associate Grace Rooker. This mostly level, easy walk along a paved greenway and boardwalk features lots of local art along the way!

Great Falls Rail Trail Hike
Join Great Falls Home Town Association staff for an easy 2-mile hike along the Great Falls Reservoir in Great Falls, S.C. The recently opened Great Falls Rail Trail has beautiful views of the reservoir and Dearborn Island where a new state park will open in the next two years. Hike leaders will discuss other outdoor recreation opportunities in the Great Falls area including the whitewater facility and future opportunities. Meet at 451 Republic St., Great Falls, SC 29055. No dogs please. Restroom facilities not available on site. To RSVP and for additional information, email: gassociation@truvista.net.

Kings Mountain Gateway Trail Hike with CARE Dogs
Join CARE for a hike at Kings Mountain Gateway Trail! This is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise while helping a CARE doggies get out, socialize, and be seen by potential adopters. Just let us know when you sign up, in the comment section, what size and energy level of dog you would like to walk, so we can match you with a dog. More information and sign-up can be found here.

Lake Norman State Park Hike
This year Lake Norman will host a guided hike on Alder Trail to help celebrate National Trails Day on June 7. Bring your water bottle and wear some closed-toed shoes as we hike this 0.8-mile trail along the banks of Hicks and Norwood Creek. Please call the Visitor Center at (704) 528-6350 to register.

All-day Event

Anne Springs Close Greenway 30th Anniversary Challenge
Enjoy free entry to the Anne Springs Close Greenway as part of National Trails Day! In honor of our 30th anniversary this year, help us log enough miles to make 30 laps around all of the Greenway’s trails! Hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding & dog paws all count!

Town of Cornelius Trail BINGO
Enjoy a game of trail BINGO while you explore the greenways in Cornelius! Get your BINGO card here.