Join us for a FREE, family-friendly celebration of nature in North Carolina! Explore the wonders of nature—from plant powers to live animals to fairy house building—through fun, hands-on activity stations setup throughout the Garden. Designed for families with children up to age 10, this outdoor event is a great way to connect with nature and enjoy a day of learning and discovery together. No registration required. More event details coming soon!

Have you ever wondered what happens at Yates Mill County Park after the gates close? Join park volunteer Dave Dorman for a behind-the-scenes look at the park's hidden nighttime wildlife. This interactive talk will be held in the park's auditorium, and participants are welcome to stay afterward for a question-and-answer session with the presenter. Because the park is closed after dark, this trail camera project required special permission and coordination with park staff, providing a rare opportunity to document the park's nocturnal animals. Learn the basics of trail cameras, hear a few lessons learned, and enjoy a collection of photographs and video clips of the fascinating wildlife that comes alive after sunset. All ages are welcome. Pre-registration is encouraged. FREE. Schedule: Oct 17, 2026 Saturday from 2pm to 2:45pm Duration: 45 mins Ages: All ages,

The Family Trail is a light-hearted, sun-lit, fun walk through the trail.

Prepare to be frightened on the Haunted Trail!

Spend the day at the “beech” as an ethnobotanist! In this series, we will explore the relationship between people and the plants around them. This session in particular will focus on our namesake species, the beech tree! We will discuss the importance of ethnobotany, learn how beech trees have been used over time and look for them in the park, learn sustainable harvesting practices, and get more acquainted with this species through a nature journaling exercise. Part of this program will take place off-trail. This program is recommended for ages 12+. Schedule: Oct 18, 2026 Sunday from 1pm to 2:15pm Duration: 1 hour 15 mins Ages: 12 yrs +,

Interested in learning about Pickleball? Dive into the world of Pickleball with our beginner-friendly class at Bethesda Park designed for new players! This introductory course covers essential skills and rules you need to start playing and enjoying one of the fastest-growing sports in America. Over the course of four sessions, you will learn from one of our DPR experienced certified instructors who specializes in making the game accessible and fun. No experience? No problem. Come out and learn why people of all ages are excited about the sport of Pickleball! Please wear tennis shoes or court shoes, bring your paddle and a water bottle. Balls and nets will be provided. Ages: Age at least 18 yrs but less than 99 yrs,

Come along with Outdoor Recreation staff and a member of New Hope Bird Alliance as we lead a bird outing and birdwatch at a city park. This is a 3-part series. Each bird outing takes place on a Friday and will occur at a different city park every week. The birdwatching series is open to all levels of birdwatching experience. Participants are encouraged to bring their own binoculars, as supplies is limited. Preregistration is required for all participants. Ages: 16 yrs +,

Interested in becoming a citizen scientist and improving your nature identification skills with park staff? We've got the opportunity for you! Harris Lake County Park is an ecoEXPLORE HotSpot which means it's a place where you can make observations of plants and animals and share them with scientists!Our focus for today's program will be on arachnology! Come learn about the spiders and other arachnids we have at the park and search for cool species! If you are new to ecoEXPLORE, please create a profile at https://www.ecoexplore.net/signup prior to the program. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. Bring your device for taking photos and capturing data and wear closed-toe shoes. For ages 7 and up, must be registered with an adult. Space is limited! Schedule: Oct 25, 2026 Sunday from 1:30pm to 3pm Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Ages: 7 yrs +,

Schedule: Oct 26, 2026 Monday from 6pm to 8pm Duration: 2 hours Ages: 18 yrs +,

Have you ever wanted to go on a treasure hunt? Come join us at Beech Bluff County Park to learn about the worldwide treasure hunt known as Geocaching. You’ll learn about what geocaching is, how to get started, and even try to find some of the geocaches hidden at Beech Bluff County Park. All children must be registered with an adult. Portions of this program do take place off trail and may not be suitable for individuals with limited mobility. Schedule: Oct 27, 2026 Tuesday from 10am to 11:30am Duration: 1 hour 30 mins Ages: 6 yrs +,

Join us for a guided hike from along the river from Eno River State Park to West Point on the Eno. This full-day adventure will be a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, get your steps in, and enjoy nature. We will meet at West Point on the Eno, take a shuttle to Pleasant Green at Eno River State Park, then start our hike 11 miles of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail back to West Point. Bring your lunch and study footwear! We will provide opportunities to refill your water bottles along the way. Dress for the weather. Preregistration required for all participants. Ages: 12 yrs +,

Speaker: Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture, Native Plant Trust Free; preregistration required Join us for this year’s Jenny Elder Fitch Memorial Lecture as Uli Lorimer with the Native Plant Trust explores the questions and challenges shaping ecological horticulture today. Successful gardens are being asked to be both beautiful and to provide ecological function. Welcoming more native plants into designed spaces has been shown to provide great benefit for humans and wildlife alike. Environmentally conscious garden decisions are based on assumptions that native plants better support ecosystems, that genetic diversity is essential, and that native cultivars may not be as functional as species. This talk will explore the assumptions and the challenges to those assumptions. What role does the nursery industry play in providing the right kinds of information for gardeners to make informed decisions? Do maintenance practices influence biodiversity, and how do science and research factor into these assumptions? REGISTER HERE

Enjoy a guided outdoor hike with a relaxed pace, supportive leaders, and an memorable experience for participants with visual impairments. Ages: 18 yrs +,

Join us as we explore the beautiful colors of fall! We will read Fall Leaves Fall by Zoe Hall and go on a short hike in search of fallen leaves to incorporate in a craft featuring our fantastic fall foliage. For ages 2-5 with accompanying adult. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. *Please note the later time for fall and winter months! Schedule: Nov 5, 2026 Thursday from 11am to Noon Duration: 1 hour Ages: Age at least 2 yrs but less than 6 yrs,

Group: Kids · Category: Explore More

Adventure in nature with your preschooler at the park. We'll read a nature-themed book, then take a walk on the wild side to find the nature right outside our door. Children must be accompanied by a parent, and of course, wear boots or sneakers that can get a little dirty! Parents must accompany children. Pre-registration is required. Please note this program is weather dependent. Ages: Age at least 1 yr but less than 6 yrs,

Embark on an outdoor adventure designed for curious kids. We’ll dive deeper into nature with hands-on activities, explore the park’s trails, and discover the wildlife and plants that call it home. Each session includes an engaging nature-focused project and time to investigate the world around us. Children should come ready to explore and wear shoes that can get a little dirty. Preregistration is required. Ages: Age at least 5 yrs but less than 8y 11m,

West Point on the Eno is always changing with the seasons. Discover what's new and explore how the ever-changing environment effects how people live along the river. This hike travels along natural trails. Friendly dogs welcome. We will meet at the Environmental Education Pavilion. Ages: Age at least 10 yrs but less than 200 yrs,

Dates: 12/4/2026

What happens to plants and animals when winter arrives? Come find out as we read When Winter Comes by Nancy Van Laan. We will also go on a nature scavenger hunt and have fun exploring the park! For ages 2-5 with accompanying adult. Meet at the Cypress Shelter. *Please note the later time for fall and winter months! Schedule: Dec 10, 2026 Thursday from 11am to Noon Duration: 1 hour Ages: Age at least 2 yrs but less than 6 yrs,

Adventure in nature with your preschooler at the park. We’ll make a nature-themed craft, take a walk on the trail, and read a nature-themed book. We will find nature right outside our door. Children must be accompanied by a parent and wear boots/shoes that can get a little dirty. Preregistration is required. Ages: Age less than 5 yrs,