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.

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