In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Kids in Parks program, we're holding the first annual 'National TRACK Trails Day' with events at TRACK Trails across the country. Find one near you!
If you don't see an event near you on the list, visit your favorite TRACK Trail to celebrate with your family!
Stay tuned! More events added as they're announced!
Click to expand a list of events in each state
California
San Dieguito County Park — Del Mar, CA
Title: Plant Adaptation Sensory Challenge
Times: 11 am & 3 pm
Description: Why do plants look, feel and smell the way they do? Use your senses to experience nature in a unique way! Join us as we explore various plant adaptations from the beauty behind flowers to the purpose of aromatic fragrances.
Age Range: 4 and older
Starting location: Kiosk directly in front of Upper Park Entrance; 1628 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Del Mar 92014
Requirements: Willingness to explore!
San Elijo Lagoon — Cardiff, CA
Title: Birds of San Elijo Lagoon
Times: 10 am and 1 pm
Description: Did you know that 40% of all North American bird species have been observed in the San Elijo Lagoon? Please join us to see and learn more about our native birds and their lifestyles, including endangered species that call the estuary their home.
Age: All ages
Starting Location: The front door of San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, 2710 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
Bring along: Hats, sunscreen and binoculars – or you could borrow a pair from us.
Guajome Regional Park — Oceanside, CA
Title: Birds of Guajome Regional Park
Times: 11 am
Description: Please join us to see and learn more about our native birds and their lifestyles, including endangered species that call the park their home.
Age: All ages
Starting Location: Guajome Regional Park, Lower park, track trail kiosk
Bring along: Hats, sunscreen and binoculars.
Felicita County Park — Escondido, CA
Title: Flora, Fauna and History of Felicita Park
Times: 10 am
Description: Explore this history of Felicita park at a historic Native American village site on this guided tour of the park and the museum.
Age: All ages
Starting Location: Felicita Park, Area 7
Bring along: Hats, sunscreen and love of the outdoors!
Lake Morena County Park — Campo, CA
Title: Flora, Fauna and History of Lake Morena
Times: 6:30 pm
Description: Explore the flora, fauna and history of Lake Morena Campground on this ranger led hike.
Age: All ages
Starting Location: Lake Morena Campground Pavilion (Center of campground)
Bring along: Hats, sunscreen and love of the outdoors!
Louis A. Stelzer County Park — Lakeside, CA
Title: Junior Ranger Hike
Times: 11 am
Description: Come join the Ranger for a walk in the woods. Explore the rocks and plants and critters at Stelzer County Park. Be prepared for plenty of sun and a few uphills. This will be a good place to try out that new water bottle!
Age Range: All ages
Starting location: Stelzer park office
Requirements: Willingness to explore!
Lindo Lake County Park — Lakeside, CA
Title: Lindo Lake Past Present and Future
Times: 10 AM
Description: Guided hike exploring the History, Animals and Future of Lindo Lake
Age Range: All ages
Starting location: Kiosk 1 near entry Gate
Requirements: Willingness to explore!
Maryland
Catoctin Mountain Park — Sabillasville, MD
Time: 10:00 AM
Children will hike with a park ranger and a doctor to learn about the TRACK Trail program and how important it is to get outdoors and stay healthy. The hike will begin from the Hog Rock Parking Lot on Park Central Road (see map).
Catoctin Mountain Park — Sabillasville, MD
Time: 1:00 PM
Children will hike with a park ranger and a doctor to learn about the TRACK Trail program and how important it is to get outdoors and be healthy. The hike will begin from the Hog Rock Parking Lot on Park Central Road (see map).
North Carolina
Heritage Trail Greenway — Newton, N.C.
Time: 11:00 AM
Guided Hike along the Track Trail and other activities TBA
Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve — Southern Pines, N.C.
Time: 9:00 AM
We will hike our 1-mile TRACK Trail through the longleaf pines and do a scavenger hunt using the Hide & Seek TRACK Trail brochure.
Smoot Park — North Wilkesboro, N.C.
Time: 10:00 AM
Guided Tour and kids activities including crafts, science projects, healthy snacks, and physical activity
Rumbling Bald - Chimney Rock State Park — Lake Lure, N.C.
Time: 11:00 AM
Park Ranger will lead a Track Trail adventure at the Rumbling Bald Climbing Access (no fee to access) 10:30am Shuttle bus will be available from the Chimney Rock Access
Chimney Rock State Park — Chimney Rock, N.C.
Time: 12:30 PM
Park staff will lead a family hike along the Great Woodland Adventure Trail inside the Chimney Rock Access (fee-based entry required)
Time: 2:00pm
Family Animal Encounters on the Outcroppings Deck inside the Chimney Rock Access: Join a Park Naturalist for an informal program where your family will meet some of our wilder teammates, live animals! (fee-based entry required, program is free)
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area — Hillsborough, N.C.
Time: 7:00 PM
Summer Sunset Stroll. Join a ranger for a 1 mile hike atop the highest point in area. Even in the dog days of summer, we will enjoy the shade as the sun sinks over our western skies.
Dismal Swamp State Park — South Mills, N.C.
Time: 10:00 AM
Join the ranger for a 1/2 mile hike on the boardwalk and learn about the TRACK Trail program. On the hike we will try to hear and see wildlife and identify key features of the swamp.
Raven Rock State Park — Lilington, N.C.
Time: 10:00 AM
Join a Park Ranger on a walk in the woods to discover the American Beech Trail and to celebrate National TRACK Trails Day! This will be a 0.5 mile hike on a natural surface trail at Raven Rock State Park. Hike will begin at 10 am at the Picnic Shelter.
Falls Lake Recreation Area — Falls Lake, N.C.
Time: 10:00 AM
Snake and wildlife trek! Meet near the parking area for shelter 7 at Sandling Beach for a one mile hike to look for snakes and other critters. Bring hiking boots, bug spray, hat and a camera! Parents must accompany children. Snakes and other critters may be observed in the safest manner possible.
The TRACK Trail is at the Beaverdam Recreation Area, but the event will be held across the road at Sandling Beach.
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park — Seven Springs, N.C.
Time: 2:00 PM
Join a ranger for a hike that engages your senses! We'll be exploring the park's industrial roots, our relationship with fire, and some of the wildlife that call Wayne County home. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Alice F. Keene Park — Greenville, N.C.
Time: 10:00 AM
Join us for a guided walk on the TRACK Trail with Cooperative Extension Agent, Hannah Smith. Hannah will be identifying trees and sharing information utilizing the "Need for Trees Brochure."
South Mountains State Park — Connelly Springs, N.C.
Time: 11:00 AM
Take a guided hike with a Park Ranger along the Track Trail
North Carolina Arboretum — Asheville, N.C.
Time: 10:00 AM
Note! You will need to complete ecoEXPLORE activities to participate. Visit https://www.ecoexplore.net/ for more details. Mark your calendar to help us celebrate the closing of our Herpetology Field Season on August 24th with our Herpetology Season Summit. If you complete six shares and your Herpetology Challenge during our Herpetology Field Season you will earn free admission to The North Carolina Arboretum. You will meet a real Herpetologist, meet some live animals, and help track wild box turtles! At the end of this event, you will earn your Herpetology Field Badge. This event will run from 10:00-2:00. We will run two identical programs during this time, and we will split our participants into the morning and afternoon programs. You will receive an email close to the event stating which program you are placed in.
Prairie Ridge EcoStation — Raleigh, N.C.
Time: 2:00 PM
Join a naturalist on this guided walk to learn about the Track Trails program as you seek out plants and animals along your way.
William B. Umstead State Park — Raliegh, N.C.
Time: 10:00 AM
We will be meeting at the track trail head which is at the second to last parking lot on the main road on the park office side of the park (entrance is off HWY 70). Pets are welcome on a leash. Please dress for the weather and bring water.
Morrow Mountain State Park - Group Hike! — Albemarle, N.C.
Group Hike through Hike it Baby. More Info: https://hikeitbaby.com/hike/track-trail-series-6-morrow-mountain/
Time: 10:00 AM
For the sixth and final stop on our TRACK Trail series we are taking a hike on the Quarry Trail at Morrow Mountain State Park. We will go on a “Animal Athlete” adventure to pretend to be like animals we might find along the nature trail. The Quarry Trail is a natural surface .6 mile loop. A mostly easy trail, with one small stream crossing. There are many places to stop and let the kids play. After we can drive to the top of the mountain for a snack break with some fantastic views!
*The TRACK Trail program is not sponsored or endorsed by Hike it Baby. It is just a fun optional add-on to hikes we already do. You can log this adventure on the kidsinparks website to earn free prizes.
South Dakota
Osprey Hiking Trail - Black Hills National Forest — Rapid City, S.D.
Time: 10:00 AM
Dedication of the new TRACK Trail (Osprey Trail). Interpretive programs and activities for kids and families.
Good Earth State Park — Sioux Falls, S.D.
Time: 10:00 AM
Dragonfly and Butterfly TRACK Trail Hike - will showcase our amazing flying friends in the park. This one mile hike will take you through tall grass prairie and oak forest. Be sure to wear good walking shoes and bug spray. Registration is not required. The event is free to attend with just a park entrance license required to enter the park. For more information please call 605-312-1036
Oakwood Lakes State Park — Bruce, S.D.
Time: 7:00 PM
Guided hike on Scout Island
Pelican Lake Recreation Area — Watertown, S.D.
Time: 9:00 AM
Join us at the trail head across from the boat ramp at Pelican Lake Recreation Area at 9 AM on Saturday, August 24th to hike through the trails of our park all the way to the observation tower. We will travel through wetlands, woodlands and prairie to overlook the beauty that Pelican Lake has to offer. It is recommended to bring bug spray, water and close-toed shoes.
Lake Poinsett Recreation Area — Arlington, S.D.
Time: 5:00 PM
Introduction to disc golf.
Hartford Beach State Park — Corona, S.D.
Time: 2:00 PM
Meet us at the head of the Aspen Springs Trail (by campsites 13 & 14) to hike the beautiful trails of Hartford Beach State Park and learn about much of the rich history our area has to offer.
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Brandon, S.D.
Time: 4:00 PM
Join us for a hike on one of the trails at the Big Sioux Recreation area, on the hike we will make observations of our animals and plants in the park and then take time to draw what we observed.
Palisades State Park — Garretson, S.D.
Time: 7:00 PM
Join us for a hike on one of our trails at the Palisades State Park, on the hike we will observe the animals and plants that are in our park, and after our hike we will take time to draw the things that we observed on our hike.
Custer State Park — Custer, S.D.
Time: 9:30 AM
Join us for a guided TRACK Trails hike through scenic Custer State Park. Meet at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center.
Time: 2:00 PM
Join us for a guided TRACK Trails hike through scenic Custer State Park. Meet at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center.
Virginia
Rocky Knob Picnic Area - Blue Ridge Parkway — Floyd, VA
Time: 11:00 AM
Grand opening of the new TRACK Trail with a guided hike and other fun activities.
Peaks of Otter - Blue Ridge Parkway — Bedford, VA
Time: 9:00 AM
Join us for our Annual Naturefest day celebrating the wide variety of plants, animals, and natural history of Appalachia. We will be hosting a number of talks, guided walks, and interactive tables with our collection of animal pelts. We will also be featuring programs to complete the Nature's Hide & Seek and Birds of the Blue Ridge Mountains TRACK Trail Brochures. Call the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center at 540-586-4496 for more details.
James River Visitor Center - Blue Ridge Parkway — Monroe, VA
Time: 9:00 AM
Join us at the James River Visitor Center where Ranger Corey will explain the local Track Trails, exploring an old canal lock from 1848 and learning to identify trees.