When National Trails Day got its start in the early 1990s, it was gauged by the number of events and participants.
And today?
“Media impressions,” of which there were more than 900 million in 2018.
For the past 25 years, the American Hiking Society has decreed the first Saturday in June to be National Trails Day, a day of celebration for our beloved hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Events around the country celebrate by holding trail workdays, hikes and various celebratory events. It’s a great opportunity to get out and let your local trails know how much you appreciate them.
The AHS keeps a calendar of planned events on its website. So far, there are 10 scheduled in North Carolina, five in Virginia, all of which are listed below. But there’s still more than a month until the big day, and more events will be added (or feel free to add your own, by going here.)
Oh, and for those of you who aren’t sure about what 900 million media impressions means, here are some numbers from last year’s NTD observation:
- 108,947 participants
- 1,203 events
- 795 miles of trail built
- 3,195 miles of trail maintained
Find your local NTD events below.
North Carolina
All dates are Saturday, June 1, unless otherwise specified. The first three entries are event, location, sponsor.
Eno River State Park maintenance
Durham
Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Tail
Time: 9 a.m.
Activities: trail maintenance/stewardship project
More info here
Max Patch Rehabilitation on the Appalachian Trail
Hot Springs
Various
Time: 8:15 a.m.
Activities: trail maintenance/stewardship Project
More info here
Cruise The Neuse
Goldsboro
Goldsboro Parks and Rec.
Time: 9 a.m.
Activities: guided paddle (boats available), kids activities,
More info here.
National Trails Day Festival and 5K
Wake Forest
Town of Wake Forest
Time: 7 a.m.
Activities: 5K trail run, kids activities, Environmental Ed Expo
More info here.
National Trails Day at Durant
Durant Nature Preserve, Raleigh
Durant Nature Preserve
Time: 9 a.m.
Activities: hike, kids activities, trail maintenance/stewardship project, trail run
Springers Point Preserve Beach Hike
Ocracoke
N.C. Coastal Land Trust
Time: 9 a.m.
Activities: 2-mile hike
More info here
Everett Creek Preserve Hike
Sneeds Ferry
N.C. Coastal Land Trust
Time: 10 a.m.
Activities: 2-mile hike
More info here
Hike to Morrow Mountain
Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle
Morrow Mountain State Park
Time: 8 a.m.
Activities: 6-mile hike to the summit of Morrow Mountain
More info here
Gales Creek Preserve Hike
Gales Creek Preserve, Newport
Time: 11 a.m.
Activities: 2-mile hike
More info here
Yadkin Valley Trails Day
Elkin
Overmountain Victory Trail Association
Time: 9 a.m.
Activities: 20-mile bike ride, 10-mile hike, kids activities, workshops, a reenactment of some kind.
More info here.
Virginia
Joint Work Hike: National Trails Day on Great Eastern Trail
Millboro
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Charlottesville Chapter
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Activities: trail maintenance/stewardship project
More info here.
Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting: PHNST Neabsco Creek Boardwalk and New Regional Park
Woodbridge
Prince William County Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Time: 10 a.m.
Activities: 2.5-mile hike, kids activities, paddle, trail dedication
More info here.
Bay View Trail Bird Blind Spruce Up
Lorton
Mason Neck State Park
Time: 9 a.m.
Activities: 3-mile bike ride, kids activities, trail maintenance/stewardship project
More info here
Walk the Trails: Club Blazer Weekend
Gladys
Thousand Trails Lynchburg RV Resort
Time: 10 a.m.
Activities: 1.5-mile bike ride, 1.5-mile hike, kids activities, trail maintenance/stewardship project
More info here
BRW on BTW
Sherando
Adventure Cycling Association
Time: 12 a.m.
Activity: 120-mile bike ride
More info here