So much adventure to be had this Fourth of July weekend! Good thing you have three days to fit it in!
Coast and coastal plain
One of the best adventure deals going: Merchant Millpond State Park’s periodic Canoe The Pond program. Join a ranger on a canoe trip on this 760-acre millpond that dates to the early 1700s. Paddle amid the bald cypress and tupelo gum that have since infiltrated the pond; learn about the area’s history, too. All from the comfort of a beginner-friendly Discovery Old Town 158 canoe.
Free, but pre-registration is required.
Vital Stats: Canoe the Pond, Saturday, July 2, 1 p.m., Merchants Millpond State Park, Gateswville. Again, free, but pre-registration is required because space is limited: 252.357.1191.
Saturday forecast: High of 87, chance of thunderstorms.
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Looking ahead: Can’t make Saturday’s paddle? It repeats again in July on the 9th and 30th. More info here.
Piedmont
If for no other reason we recommend Saturday’s Stars and Planets program at Mayo River State Park because it allows you to stay, legally, in the park until after midnight. Come and hang out with members of the Greensboro Astronomy Club from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. They’ll bring both their telescopes and their expertise to help you make sense of the night sky.
And please, if you bring a flashlight, make sure it has a red filter. Thank you.
Logistics: Stars and Planets, Saturday, July 2, 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., May River State Park, Mayodan. More info here.
Saturday forecast: There is a chance of thunderstorms, but that’s earlier in the day. By the time the event happens, expect temperate temperatures in the low 70s.
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Looking ahead: Canoe Hike, Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake, July 8. More info here.
Mountains
It’s a question we hear a lot when we’re at a North Carolina State Park at closing time and there are still cars in parking lot: “What happens if they’re still here when the park closes?”
First, you don’t want to put yourself in the position to find out. Time your hike to be out of the park before closing, because if you aren’t, the first thing that happens is that checks are run on license plates, calls are made, people become upset. Almost every time, the tardy hiker arrives minutes after this chain reaction has begun.
But when the hiker doesn’t return immediately, then what happens?
Find out Sunday at Chimney Rock State Park when a ranger leads Ranger Boot Camp: Wilderness Rescue Basics. “Join a ranger to learn about search and rescue fundamentals. Participants will be introduced to the tools and equipment used to find lost hikers in the park.”
Vital Stats: Ranger Boot Camp: Wilderness Rescue Basics, Sunday, July 3, 10 a.m., Rumbling Bald Climbing Area of Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure. More info here.
Sunday forecast: Chance of thunderstorms, high of 87.
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Looking ahead: Wilderness Survival 101, July 16 and Aug. 20, South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs. More info here.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed 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 coastal 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.
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
Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.
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.
U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.
