Need a resolution for the new year? How about traveling to all of North Carolina’s state parks to experience nature, get some exercise and stamp your North Carolina State Park Passport! You can pick up your passport at any state park visitor center, make a note of the activities that you enjoyed and stop by the park office or visitor center before you leave to receive your stamp.
After you’ve visited 10 parks, have a park ranger validate your passport and sign up for the Rewards Redemption program. The more parks you visit and stamps you collect, the more prizes you earn. Take a picture of your stamped passport and email it to state.parks@ncparks.gov with your full name and mailing address and your prize pack will be sent within 30 days. As an added bonus, you will also be entered into the monthly prize drawings.
Special events happen every week at state parks around the state. Visit the state parks’ website to view the calendar and read about the family-friendly activities, active hikes or educational programs that are being offered.
The parks system began in 1916 with the founding of Mount Mitchell into the first North Carolina state park in order to protect its summit. Over the past 100 years, the system has grown to include numerous protected parks, lakes, natural areas, recreation areas, rivers and trails. The possibilities are endless, so make 2017 your year of exploration and find out all that North Carolina has to offer.
Don’t forget to share your adventures on social media using the hashtags #ncstateparks and #ncpassport and you might be featured on NCDNCR’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.