Cooler temperatures mean North Carolinians can finally get outside and safely enjoy the glory of this fall leafing season.
Each of the following locations are protected and open to visitors thanks to the hard work of local organizations and North Carolina’s conservation trust funds – the N.C. Land and Water Fund (NCLWF), Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) and/or the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund (ADFPTF). The conservation trust funds help ensure that we all have access to clean air, clean water and spectacular places to recreate and relax.
Plan your next socially distanced fall hike at one of these splendid getaways:
Mountains
- Blue Ridge Parkway – https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/
- Rough Creek Watershed – https://www.cantonnc.com/rough-creek-watershed-trail-system/
- Grandfather Mountain State Park – https://www.ncparks.gov/grandfather-mountain-state-park/home
- Valle Crucis Community Park – https://blueridgeconservancy.org/valle-crucis-community-park
- Middle Fork Greenway – https://blueridgeconservancy.org/middle-fork-greenway-1
- Elk Knob State Park – https://blueridgeconservancy.org/elk-knob-state-park
Foothills
- Bearwallow Mountain Trail – https://conservingcarolina.org/bearwallow-mountain/
- Linville Falls – https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/linville-falls-trails.htm
- South Mountains State Park – https://www.ncparks.gov/south-mountains-state-park/home
Piedmont
- Pilot Mountain – https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/home
- Mayo River State Park – https://www.piedmontland.org/what-we-do/protected-places/parks-trails-and-preserves/parks/mayo-river-state-park-rockingham-county/
- Haw River State Park – https://www.ncparks.gov/haw-river-state-park/trails
- Girl Scouts Hornets’ Nest Trail – https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/girl-scouts-hornets-nest-council-trail
Triangle
- Bailey and Sarah Williamson Preserve – https://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/williamson-preserve
- Brumley Forest Nature Preserve – https://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/brumley-forest-nature-preserve
- White Pines Nature Preserve – https://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/white-pines-nature-preserve
- Johnston Mill Nature Preserve – https://www.triangleland.org/explore/nature-preserves/johnston-mill-nature-preserve
- American Tobacco Trail: https://map.greenway.org/?loc=11,35.89100,-78.82999
- Reedy Creek Multi-use Trail, Umstead State Park: https://map.greenway.org/?loc=14,35.84652,-78.76009
Coast
- North River Wetlands Preserve – https://www.nccoast.org/project/north-river-wetlands-preserve/
- Hoop Pole Creek Preserve – https://www.nccoast.org/project/hoop-pole-creek-preserve/
- Bird Island Coastal Reserve – https://www.nccoast.org/project/bird-island-coastal-reserve/
Charlotte
- Pharr Family Preserve Trail – https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/pharr-family-trail
- South Fork Trail – https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/south-fork-trail-2
- Buffalo Creek Preserve Trail – https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/buffalo-creek-preserve-trail
- Seven Oaks Preserve Trail – https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/seven-oaks-preserve-trail
- Riverwalk: Piedmont Medical Center Trail – https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/riverwalk-piedmont-medical-center-trail
- South Fork Rail Trail – https://www.carolinathreadtrailmap.org/trails/trail/south-fork-rail-trail