July 4th weekend — the first, really, in two years. There’s a lot of pressure to make the most of this three-day celebration.

A traditionally popular way to observe the weekend is to go camping, and before you say, “Wish I’d thought of that before: there won’t be any campsites left. Besides, I don’t have the key camping gear” be advised that neither are an issue. For starters, reserveamerica.com. reports that plenty of campsites remain available throughout the state. As for the requisite camping gear, look no further than the GetCamping! program we run with our partners at Great Outdoor Provision Co. Six-person tent, sleeping pads, hammock, two-burner camp stove, two rocking camp chairs, a hammock, lights — all the key camping gear. And what we don’t provide, you likely already have; we’ll include a list of suitable household substitutes, stuff you likely already have around the house that works well for camping.

If you’re in the Triangle area, the EnoFest (formerly known as Festival for the Eno) is back after a pandemic-year hiatus. Live music (more than 40 performers), more than 50 craft booths, food, libations — all kinds of fun to support the Eno River Association and its land preservation efforts along the Eno and its tributaries. Learn more here.

Ranger-led hikes

It’s also a great weekend to summit a peak in a North Carolina State Park on one of these ranger-led hikes:

• Jomeokee Trail Hike, Saturday, 9 a.m., Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle. This hike of just under a mile takes you as close as you’re gonna get to Pilot Mountain’s top spot. Learn more here.
• Mount Craig Hike, Saturday, 11 a.m., Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville. It’s only a mile hike out to 6,647-foot Mount Craig, slightly lower than its 6,684-foot neighbor, Mount Mitchell, but what a rocky, rollicking mile it is. A ranger leads the way, discussing the geology and history of the area. Learn more here.

More in a water mood? Then check out:

• Canoe Hike, Sunday, 6 p.m., Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake. Paddle a cypress swamp with a ranger. No experience necessary and it’s free, but space is limited and preregistration is required. Learn more here.

If you’re up for a hike but need some direction, check out one of our guides to hikes of various lengths for various ability levels and interests. You can find them on our GetGoingNC.com site, here.

Weather

As for the weather, after a cool and rainy Friday, Saturday looks especially nice, with temperatures in the low 80s throughout much of the area, rising into the mid 80s on Sunday and close to 90 on Monday. After Friday’s rain, there’s no precipitation in the forecast.

You were cooped up last Fourth of July, you aren’t this year. GetOut! and enjoy!

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Campsites

Go to reserveamerica.com, and in the search bar (where it says “Where do you want to explore?”) type “North Carolina.” Enter the dates you’re interested — July 2 and July 4, in this case — and your options will appear.

GetCamping! gear

Six-person tent, sleeping pads, hammock, two-burner camp stove, two rocking camp chairs, a hammock, lights — all the key camping gear is included in our GetCamping! kit. What we don’t provide, you likely already have; we’ll include a list of suitable household substitutes, stuff you likely already have around the house that works well for camping. Learn more and reserve a kit for this weekend here.