Celebrate the last weekend of September with a kayak trip at Hammocks Beach, a celebration of and on Raleigh’s Walnut Creek Greenway, and a salute to birds at Chimney Rock
Coast
Summer can be a little steamy out on the sounds in the marshes of the Carolina coast. But late September? Cooler air temps and cooling water temps (but still warm enough for a dip) make for perfect kayaking conditions. That’s the thinking behind Saturday’s kayak trip at Hammocks Beach State Park. Paddle about the intricate marshes around Hammocks Beach; kayak, paddles and lifejackets provided.
Logistics: Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center. Free, but preregistration required, by calling 910.326.4881. More info here.
Saturday forecast: Mostly cloudy, high of 81, 30 percent chance of rain.
Piedmont
How about celebrating a greenway? How about celebrating Raleigh’s Walnut Creek Greenway with Saturday’s Festival in Motion. This work-in-progress greenway — about two-thirds of the 11-mile greenway, which will run along the south side of Raleigh from Lake Johnson to the Neuse River, is finished; the remainder is expected to be finished next year — will be celebrated at four locations along its length, with events such as a 5K, soccer clinic, decorated bike parade, a monster weed wrangle and much, much more! How much more? See Logistics, below
Logistics: For times, registration fees (where applicable), locations and much, much more, go here.
Saturday’s forecast: Mostly cloudy, high of 78, storms and showers possible.
Mountains
Wild about birds? Then Chimney Rock State Park is where you want to be this weekend, for the weekend-long Flock to the Rock. The focus is on fall migrants as well as the warblers, vireos, tanagers, woodpeckers, thrushes, owls and various birds of prey, including the Peregrine Falcon, who call Chimney Rock home year round. Too many events to mention, so we’ll once again defer to Logistics, below
Logistics: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Find details here.
Saturday’s forecast: Highs both days in the mid-70s, chance of rain 40 percent Saturday, 60 percent Sunday.
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Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.
Coast
CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.
Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.
Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.
NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.
North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).
This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).
Mountains
Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.
Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.
The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.
Todd’s Calendar
Piedmont
Charlotte
Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running
Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triad
GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.
Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triangle
Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.
Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Statewide
Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.
North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”
National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.
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