Outdoor NC

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Outdoor NC

We inspire stewardship of North Carolina's beloved outdoor spaces. It’s no wonder 43 million people visit our state every year.

As a subsidiary of Visit NC we work with a wide variety of organizations and individuals toward a common goal of preserving our state's wonderful outdoor spaces. North Carolina is beautiful, from the 6,000-foot peaks on the western border to the 100-foot sand dunes on the East Coast. To help communities mitigate the impact of all that attention, Visit NC is championing destination stewardship prog

ramming as part of the Outdoor NC initiative. This programming balances the quality of experiences for visitors with the well-being of residents while conserving our natural and cultural assets. We work with partners across the state to provide resources to raise awareness, activate projects and celebrate successful stewardship efforts which preserve our beloved outdoor spaces for generations to come.

21/06/2025

Sunny days and endless possibilities! ☀️

Summer is officially here! What North Carolina outdoor adventures are you most looking forward to this season?

📸 Photo Credit: VisitNC.com / C2 Photography.

17/06/2025

They are specially trained and uniquely positioned to show you the incredible North Carolina outdoors in a way that preserves the state’s landscapes for generations to come. Meet this year’s Outdoor NC guides!

These outdoor enthusiasts collectively represent each region of the state – from the mountains to the Piedmont to the coast. And, they offer tremendous expertise in disciplines including photography, hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, and boating.

Earlier this year, the guides completed a special course at Raven Rock State Park led by Outdoor NC and to equip them with important knowledge on how to protect the state’s outdoor spaces and educate their guests to do the same.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll introduce you to each of the guides and you’ll hear from them in their own words. And ... get your questions ready! The Guides are excited to provide tips as you plan your next adventure.

📸 Photo Credit: .

16/06/2025

It’s no wonder that the sea turtle has become such a symbol of the Carolina coast. Of the seven sea turtle species worldwide, five live in the waters of North Carolina. The loggerhead (named because they have the largest head of all sea turtles) is the most common turtle in North Carolina and the primary species that nests on North Carolina beaches.

We are now in the heart of sea turtle nesting season, which runs from about May 1 through August 31. NC Wildlife Resources Commission says nesting season has become an increasingly sensitive time as worldwide sea turtle populations are in decline. Due to a number of factors, scientists estimate just 1 in every 1000 hatchlings make it to adulthood.

Be extra careful around nesting sites – often cordoned off with rope and signage. And, be especially careful with artificial light because sea turtle hatchlings are drawn to it. If you are staying oceanfront at the beach, turn off your outdoor lights at night to help the hatchlings avoid being disoriented.

📸 Photo Credit: VisitNC.com / Steve Yocom.

13/06/2025

So, you’re planning a camping trip to reconnect with nature and sleep under the stars. But how do you choose a campsite that will help you get a good night’s rest and preserve the landscape? As part of , we’re here to help with some Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles.

🏕️ Plan ahead: Research rules, regulations or reservation requirements for the area you plan to visit.

🏕️ Arrive early: For the start of your trip, reach your camping destination well ahead of sunset so you have time to scope out the right site.

🏕️ Set up on a durable surface: Look for level ground on surfaces such as rock, dry grass or bare ground that can more easily weather repeated use.

🏕️ Use a designated campsite: When possible, set up camp at a site already designated for that use. That will help avoid disturbing sensitive plants and soils.

🏕️ Camp a minimum of 200 feet (about 70 big steps) from water: Choose a site away from the water’s edge to help prevent pollution of rivers and streams (key aquatic ecosystems), to limit erosion and to ensure wildlife have access to their water source.

What are some things you’ve learned while camping that you would share with others?

📸 Photo Credit: VisitNC.com / Keenan Hairston. 📍 Sanford, N.C.

10/06/2025

One and done. A reliance on disposable items – think plastic cups, plastic silverware, paper plates, etc. – results in more than 1 trillion disposable food products used each year in the U.S. alone.

Many single use products, take hundreds of years to decompose. For example: Plastic water bottles = 450 years; Styrofoam = 500 years. These items, especially when not disposed of properly, can harm our most beautiful outdoor spaces by polluting waterways with microplastics, harming sensitive soils with chemicals or causing serious injury to wildlife. That’s why it’s so important to follow Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles and trash your trash.

Pirani Life, a company based in Asheville that specializes in reusable tumbler cups for outdoor adventure, is among those seeking to help break the cycle of waste. They are engaging in Plastic Free July – a global campaign to reduce reliance on single-use items.

Gear up for Plastic Free July by joining the Outdoor NC Movement (it’s free!) and you’ll have a chance to win this special edition reusable insulated 16 oz. Pirani tumbler: https://outdoornc.com/join-the-movement/

📸 Photo Credit: Outdoor NC.

07/06/2025

There’s so much we could say about North Carolina’s trails. That there are thousands of miles of trails spread across three distinct regions (coastal, Piedmont and mountain). That the trails connect us to incredible natural spaces such as waterfalls, lakes and island points. That the trails build community in Trail Towns that serve as homebases for adventure.

But to celebrate , we thought we might just show you instead! Enjoy these photos that provide a window into the incredible trails that make our state so special. And, as you explore, keep in mind Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles and tread lightly to preserve the trails for generations to come.

📸 Photo Credits: .nc.

06/06/2025

Did you know? North Carolina is home to one of just three large salamander species in the world: The Eastern Hellbender.

The Eastern Hellbender, sometimes referred to as a 'snot otter,' is native to Western North Carolina, a region that is home to an extensive network of creeks, rivers and streams that are teeming with life.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed in December 2024 that the Eastern Hellbender, already considered an at-risk species in North Carolina, be added to the national endangered species list.

To help preserve their habitat, follow Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principles and avoid moving large rocks in waterways where hellbenders may nest. They rely heavily on these habitats as they typically return to the same nesting site year after year.

In a nod to supporting awareness of the Eastern Hellbender, the Asheville Tourists Baseball Club minor league baseball team is changing its name tonight (June 6) to the Snot Otters for one night only for their game against Winston-Salem. In addition to supporting the Hellbender, they’ll be auctioning off game-worn jerseys with proceeds going to the WNC Nature Center, a wildlife park in Visit Asheville that is home to more than 60 animal species. The auction ends Sunday, June 8 at 11:59 p.m.: https://shorturl.at/BDJER

📸 Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Ryan Hagerty.

Jersey photo courtesy: Asheville Tourists Baseball Club.

05/06/2025

This weekend is all about the trails! We’re gearing up to celebrate National Trails Day (Saturday, June 7) and looking forward to a full schedule of events, guided hikes and educational programs across the state.

Here are a snapshot of some of the events this weekend:

🥾 NC Trail Days (June 5-8) - Explore Elkin

This celebration features events in and around the towns of Elkin and Jonesville. These two towns are a short drive from the Blue Ridge Parkway, nestled between two state parks and separated only by the Yadkin River.

🥾 Old Fort Trails and Trains Festival (June 5-7) – Old Fort Destination McDowell

Celebrate the rich history of the Blue Ridge Mountain community by focusing on its pathways and connections through Old Fort’s notable railroad and Pisgah National Forest history.

🥾 National Trails Day at Country Park (June 7) – Visit Greensboro

Celebrate the beauty and importance of trails with free trail-related activities for all ages at Country Park in Greensboro.

🥾 Jockey’s Ridge State Park 50th Anniversary (June 5-8) – Visit The Outer Banks

Celebrate the tallest living sand dune on the Atlantic Coast, and the eastern terminus of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, by attending this free four-day celebration.

For a full list of events for National Trails Day, check out the events calendar from our friends at Great Trails NC: https://greattrailsnc.com/events-calendar/

📸 Photo Credit: Parler Photography.

04/06/2025

Many of us are on the move with summer just around the corner. The same can be said for wildlife in North Carolina. Spring is one of the more active times for wildlife across the state.

It’s especially important to remain vigilant when you’re driving to keep you, your fellow drivers and the animals safe.

Smokies Safe Passage, a coalition working in Western North Carolina to make wildlife passage safer especially on and around highways, offers these tips as you travel:

🚗 Obey the speed limit and slow down in areas posted with wildlife crossing signs.
🚗 Be extra vigilant at night. Drive with your high beams on and watch for eyes reflecting in the headlights.
🚗 Animals such as deer tend to travel in groups. If you see one deer, it’s likely there are others close by.
🚗 If you are involved in a collision with an animal, avoid swerving as you could lose control of your vehicle. After the collision, move safely out of the roadway and call 911. Stay clear of the animal – a wounded animal can be dangerous or could further injure itself.

📸 Photo Credit: VisitNC.com / Leslie Restivo Photography.

03/06/2025

Outdoor adventurers, this one’s for you! It’s time to embrace the warmer temperatures and celebrate . We can think of a few (OK, more than a few!) trips in North Carolina we want to take this month.

As you make your list, Join the Movement (it’s free!) to preserve the state’s outdoor spaces. You'll receive our monthly e-newsletter that highlights what to know when exploring the state. Here's the link: https://outdoornc.com/join-the-movement/

And, keep these tips in mind:

🍃 Consider visiting lesser-known areas, and visiting at off peak times

🍃 Bring food and water, and choose clothing that’ll help protect you from the sun and pop-up rain showers.

🍃 Pack out what you pack in. Gather your trash and dispose of it properly.

🍃 Leave what you find along the way to help preserve wildlife environments and to keep outdoor spaces beautiful for you and others to enjoy during Great Outdoors Month and all year round.

📍 Badin Lake, Greensboro, N.C. Visit Greensboro

📸 Photo Credit: VisitNC.com / Daniel Whittaker.

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