North Carolina State Trails

North Carolina’s state trails provide abundant opportunities to experience some of the state's most magnificent landscapes. Join the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Hometown Strong initiative for a celebration of North Carolina's State Trails system. These events provide organized opportunities to explore the trails with guides and instruction, encouraging more visitors to engage with these important natural spaces.

Events

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This 2.5-hour paddle on the Yadkin River State Trail begins in Elkin's Crater Park and ends with a wine tasting and live music. This event is an excellent opportunity to get familiar with this beautiful state paddle trail! Need a boat? No problem. Kayaks are available for rent. Get a full schedule of events and register on the event page.

This three-day event is the perfect opportunity to get acquainted with the Dan River State Paddle Trail. Don't worry if you're a beginner. There will be plenty of activities for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Throughout the weekend, there will be food, music, and trivia between paddles. Get a full schedule of events and register on the event page.

The Haw River State Trail runs 80 miles through the heart of the Piedmont. Join us for a celebration of the Haw by both land and water in Saxapahaw. The day begins with a paddle on a dammed portion of the Haw, known as Lake Saxapahaw, followed by a 3-mile hike. Register separately for each excursion on the hike event page and the paddle event page.

The Wilderness Gateway State Trail is one of the most recent additions to the North Carolina State Trails system – so new that it doesn’t yet exist. But N.C. State Parks and the Foothills Conservancy, the nonprofit administering the trail, have a pretty good idea of where it will go as it links the Hickory area with South Mountains State Park and Chimney Rock State Park; the 4 miles we will hike at the Clear Creek Access to South Mountains State Park is a good representation of what the Wilderness Gateway State Trail will be like. Learn more and register on the event page.

Join us for a day of exploring the Fonta Flora State Trail! We will hike 5 miles on the trail at Lake James State Park. Starting from the new Visitor Center, we will hike a short distance down to a pedestrian bridge crossing a narrow point in Lake James, then head north on the Fonta Flora along Lake James and a small creek. This is an out-and-back hike: we will go 2.5 miles out on the trail, then return the way we came for a total of 5 miles. Learn more and register on the event page.

Join Mountain True, the French Broad River State Trail partner, for an 8-mile paddle on a stunning section of this Trail. Enjoy calm waters as we travel from the river’s beginnings in Rosman to Headwaters Outfitters’ Hannah Ford Campground, a distance of 8 miles and approximately 3 hours. Before the float, we’ll briefly discuss the river's history, its present status, and future plans for the Paddle Trail. After the float, there's the option to attend the annual “Paddle to the Pork Bluegrass Festival” happening at Hannah Ford Campground or be shuttled back to your car. Get a full schedule of events and register on the event page.

Celebrate the dedication of a new portion of the historic Overmountain Victory State Trail at Spruce Pine! Check back here for details about this event.

 

This event on the East Coast Greenway State Trail is tentative while details are worked out. Stay tuned!
 

Perhaps North Carolina's most well-known state trail, the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail continues to develop. This hiking event celebrates the addition of two new trails to the eastern portion of the MST. Check back for schedule and registration details.