2023 Year of the Trail in the Heart of NC Event Round Up

Piedmont Legacy Trails Produces Randolph County Trail Guide

We invite you to join trail enthusiasts and lovers in each city and town throughout Randolph County as we celebrate their special outdoor amenities with ribbon cutting events and activities in honor of 2023's Year of the Trail in North Carolina. 

Before your trail adventures begin, check out this video from The Great Trails State Coalition Trails for the Future: How History is Shaping Trail Development in Randolph County.     

 Early Spring | March & April

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Creekside Park in Archdale

Healthy Communities invites you to join their Sunday Hike Adventures on March 12 – Spring into Action – Hike from Mundo Vista at Camp Caraway to Slip Rock Mountain and April 16 – Celebrate Trails – Hike to the top of Mount Shepherd, the highest elevation in Randolph County. 

·         The City of Archdale will host a ribbon cutting event at the Creekside Greenway – Outer Loop.

·         The City of Randleman will hold a ribbon cutting at the Worthville Blueway.

·         The Town of Seagrove will host a trek through town along their Downtown sidewalks.  

Late Spring | May & June  May/June

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Caraway Mountain Top in Asheboro

Healthy Communities hosts their Sunday Hike Adventures on May 21 – Explore NC – Hike to Russell Gold Mine in the Uwharrie National Forest and June 3 – National Trail Day – Celebrate at the North Carolina Zoo’s event.

Join the team from Piedmont Land Conservancy as they hold a ribbon cutting at Caraway Creek Preserve.

·        The City of Asheboro will host trail lovers to explore the newly opened Zoo City Sportsplex facility.

·       The North Carolina Zoo celebrates National Trail Day on June 3^rd with a ribbon cutting of the Purgatory Mountain Spring Trail.

 

Summer | July & August

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Randleman Section of Deep River State Trail

Healthy Communities continues Sunday Hike Adventures on July 16 – Celebrate NC Parks – Hike the newly opened trails at Piedmont Land Conservancy’s Caraway Creek Preserve with a view of Mount Shepherd and Caraway Mountain and August 13 – Wellness and Trails – Hike to Cooper Mountain Cemetery from Robbins Branch Trailhead in the Birkhead Wilderness of the Uwharrie National Forest. 

·         The Town of Ramseur will host a ribbon cutting for a trail extension and trailhead.

·         The Town of Liberty will showcase improvements at Freedom Park to celebrate their trails.

·         The City of Randleman will hold a ribbon cutting event at Phase III of their Greenway. 

Fall | September & October

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Uwharrie National Forest - Birkhead Wilderness Area

Healthy Communities invites you to join their Fall Sunday Hike Adventures on September 10 – Achieve a Trail Goal – Hike to Cooler’s Knob, the highest point in the Birkhead Wilderness and Colonel Balfour Grave Site from Tot Hill Farm Trailhead and the entire month of October is filled with Mayor’s Fitness Challenge events from all municipalities across Randolph County – Wellness Walks on Saturdays and Hikes on Sundays. 

·      The Town of Franklinville will host a ribbon cutting at Sandy Creek Bridge. 

·       Enjoy a Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike with beginner and advanced hikers – learn about our natural beauty and history of the Uwharrie National Forest.                        

Late Fall & Early Winter | November & December

Photo Credit: Piedmont Legacy Trails | Franklinville Section of Deep River State Trail

Mayor’s Fitness Challenge events continue in November with walks on November 4 & 11 and a hike on November 5, there are no planned hikes in the month of December – find your outdoor adventure. 

·     The Town of Franklinville will host a ribbon cutting event from the center of Franklinville to Sapona.

*NOTE: All Healthy Communities Hikes begin at 2 pm at the site. Some dates and sites may be subject to change pending any weather or scheduling issues. Please check with Mary Joan Pugh, Randolph County Trails Coordinator – maryjoan.pugh@randolphcountync.gov    

When can we expect you? Visit HeartofNorthCarolina.com for places to stay and special military discount offers! Order a FREE travel guide and check out the listing of annual events on our bit.ly/HNCVBCalendar . We look forward to following along on your visit. Tag us at #theHeartofNC.    

                         

 

 

Fall in the Heart of NC

*Please note that at the time of publication, COVID-19 is still affecting the operations of our attractions, restaurants, and event venues. We encourage you to review and plan ahead as details are subject to change.*

Fall in love with the Heart of North Carolina this season – with dramatic leaf colors, crisp cool weather, and fun festivals. Grab your boots, scarf, and seasonal flavored drink (pumpkin or apple) to begin your adventures in the Heart of North Carolina.  

History meets trails - Soak in the fall scenery around our numerous trails. Explore historic sites, see beautiful fall color as the leaves change, and feel crisp breezes as temperatures cool with the change of the season. The Heart of North Carolina boasts 19 trails for you to explore. For the complete Randolph County Trail Guide here, from our friends at Piedmont Legacy Trails.

Faith Rock Trail, an access point of the designated Deep River State Trail, has an easy 3/4-mile loop with a big payoff. Cross over the historic bridge, take in the beautiful views of the river, and step back in time from the top of Faith Rock - where American Patriot Andrew Hunter was cornered by the Tory Army in 1782 during the Revolutionary War.

Located at 1306 Andrew Hunter Rd, Franklinville, NC 

                       More Information

Randolph County's Pisgah Covered Bridge is one of North Carolina's two remaining covered bridges that was built in 1911 at a cost of $40. The bridge is 54 feet in length and crosses the West Fork Branch of the Little River within the Uwharrie National Forest. This site serves as a direct connection to Randolph County's past mode of transportation when horse and wagon were common and automobile travel was in its infancy. 

Located at 6925 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, NC 

                                                                                               More Information                   

We love to explore the trails inside the North Carolina Zoo to discover animal adventures on a large scale, but did you also know that the Zoo has trails for exploration with no admission? Check them out when the season change. The main mission of the trails is to protect native wildlife and their natural habitats.

Located at 4401 Zoo Pkwy, Asheboro, NC

                                                                                                More Information 

Fall Harvest – Gather your friends and family for harvest time fun on the farm.  

Millstone Creek Orchards (MCO) is a working farm with opportunities for visitors to explore the 18-acre property with u-pick adventures, hayrides, fishing, and educational classes. This fall MCO is pumpkins and apples. We never leave the farm without trying a fresh apple cider slushie paired with hot apple cider donuts. Reservations are required for u-pick adventures - don't miss out on the fun!

Located at 506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd, Ramseur, NC                     

                       

          More Information and Reservations

         

Kersey Valley Attractions is home to family-friendly adventures during the day and a haunted trail once the sun sets. Get lost at Kersey Valley Maize Adventure, a corn maze experience offering a maze, train ride, jumping pillows, pedal carts, treehouse village, and dinosaur discovery zone. Kersey Valley Spookywoods started out with a dare in 1985 and has grown into one of America's most popular and scary haunts. Reservations are encouraged on weekends in September and October. 

Located at 1615 Kersey Valley Rd, Archdale, NC                                                                    

                                                                                               More Information

Seagrove Pottery – Pottery Highway in Seagrove, NC is fun every time of year, but the fall brings seasonal pottery and new adventures. Explore over 40+ pottery shops within a 20-mile radius this season and treat yourself to autumn pottery. For an ultimate road trip adventure, plan a visit to Seagrove, the Pottery Capital of the US.   

  

Potters Pumpkin Patch is an annual celebration of participating potters opening their shops along scenic Pottery Highway, NC Hwy 705, by selling their festive fall wares. Our talented potters showcase special items including pumpkins, gourds, autumn leaf pottery, woodland creatures, scented candles, and seasonal refreshments. Stop in at any of the shops and get your Potters Pumpkin Patch Map with event details for each location.

                        More Information  

Festivals and events in the Heart of North Carolina are vibrant and fun. Beginning in September with our biannual antiques festival with over 400 dealers. October weekends are filled with street festivals focusing on arts and crafts, live music, all the deep-fried foods - we even honor the King of NASCAR! We wrap up the fall season with our Seagrove Pottery friends by supporting their art during their annual festival and studio tours to purchase fall-themed decor and get an early start holiday shopping!                                              

 Check out our events calendar for a complete list of upcoming events in the Heart of NC. 

Share your fall adventure with #TheHeartofNC

Spring Bucket List in the Heart of NC

Spring Bucket List 

Build your Spring Bucket List with what is blooming in Randolph County. The temperatures are just right with days being in the high 60Fs and evenings in the low 40Fs. See the beauty of the nine municipalities. Plan with our must-do list for your spring visit in the Heart of North Carolina. 

Start Collecting 

Did you know that Randolph County is home to many antique shops and the bi-annual Liberty Antiques Festival. The festival is being held the last Friday and Saturday in April (this year April 29-30). Find classic treasures and one-of-a-kind items. The thrill of the find is here. The antique vendors offer a wide variety of items from classic memorabilia to repurposed and refinished goods at affordable prices. 

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

Smell the Flowers 

From Ramseur to Seagrove, the farms are blossoming. At Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur, select Saturdays offering open air Spring Markets. At Seagrove Orchids see more than 200 different species, perfect for new or experienced orchid lovers. Seagrove Orchids has quickly established itself as "the orchid nursery" in North Carolina and it's worth the tour. The North Carolina Zoo offers over 51,000 plants along five miles of shaded pathways. It is definitely worth the stop between seeing over 1,000 animals at the world's largest natural habitat zoo.  

Photo by NC Zoo

Zip Through New Colors 

Go over the trees and Zipline in Randolph County at Kersey Valley Zipline in Archdale and Richland Creek Zip Line in Asheboro. Ziplining is fun for all thrill seekers. This experience is a fun challenge independently and with a group.  A spring season adventure offers a chance to catch trees as they grow new foliage. 

Photo by Canva

Birds & Bees aren’t the Only Ones Flying 

Immerse yourself with speed! See historic high flying aircraft at the North Carolina Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame in Asheboro. Planes and memorabilia dating back to WWI to present.  Don't miss the history of the King of NASCAR and his family, at Petty Family Attractions in Randleman. 

Photo by Petty Family Attractions

Trail On 

Randolph County is home to 19 trails, including the Deep River State Trail. In the spring months the trails are ready for you to explore by walking, running or hiking. Start planning your next hike here.

Photo by Piedmont Legacy Trails

 

Be sure to check out other seasonal bucket lists from the Heart of NC for your ultimate bucket list!
Share your next trip to Randolph County with #TheHeartofNC  

Award-Winning Finds in the Heart of NC

 

For some “winning” is a room filled with trophies and medals—or that long-awaited promotion. For others, it may be a houseful of family over the holidays. Whatever your ‘winning in life’ moments are, find new ones with this list of award-winning experiences from the Heart of North Carolina.

Drum roll, please……YOU are the ultimate winner of an unforgettable visit with your closest family and friends.

Photo from Charlotte Parent

Ø 🏆 Wildlife Conservation Award: North Carolina Zoo –The North Carolina Zoo was spotlighted by Nat Geo WILD! as they premiered “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina” in 2020. The recipient of recognition for their regional and international animal conservation efforts in the wild for over two decades, the zoo is also the largest natural habitat zoo in the world! It protects all aspects of the natural world, from vultures and gorillas in Africa to endangered plants and amphibians that are native to North Carolina. Find out how you can save wildlife—and the planet—by visiting https://www.nczoo.org/conservation. 

Kyle Petty Charity Ride for Victory Junction Camp |Photo: NASCAR.com

Ø 🏆 Social Impact Award: Richard Petty & Petty Family Attractions – NASCAR roots begin with the Petty family and is showcased within the Petty Family Attractions and Petty Museum. The King of NASCAR, Richard Petty is a seven-time Cup Series champion and won a record of 200 races during his career. Of all the accomplishments in his career, Petty thinks of his family as his number one trophy. To honor his late grandson Adam’s memory and build upon his inspired dream, the Petty family created Victory Junction, a NASCAR-themed camp to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses. To date, Victory Junction has provided over 50,000 children opportunities of a lifetime. 

Eck McCanless Pottery

Ø    🏆 Creative Inspiration Award: Seagrove Pottery community – Collecting pottery is a MUST if you are passionate about supporting the arts while checking off bucket list travel. Visit with more than 100 working potters in Seagrove, the #1 American Craft Town. Explore at your own pace, duck into a studio to see work being made, try a class at Thomas Pottery, and choose from a wide variety of styles and colors. 

Ø 🏆 Most Frightening Award: Fall at Kersey Valley’s Spookywoods Haunted Attraction – A tradition that began in 1985 with a group of teenage boys and a game of ‘dare’ is now one of America’s top haunted attractions. From the moment you arrive at Kersey Valley Attractions, you are fair game to each haunted creature residing on the property. Encounter special effects of light, sound, smell, dense atmosphere, air pressure, and liquid. With 13 themed sets along the haunt, you will leave with an understanding of how Spookywoods is one of the scariest scream parks in America according to Hauntworld.com. Encounter a little less fright that is completely family-friendly by experiencing the seasonal Sunflower Extravaganza (mid-August to mid-September) and Maize Adventure – a Cornfield Maze (mid-September to early November). 

Ø 🏆 Entertainers of the Year Award: The Liberty Showcase Theater – Think you have missed your chance to hear legendary artists such as The Oak Ridge Boys, Doug Stone, The Kentucky Headhunters, Kathy Mattea and more perform their chart-topping hits? Look no further than The Liberty Showcase Theater located in charming Downtown Liberty. Dewey & Leslie Brown are an entertainment power couple with deep connections to the bluegrass music industry. They invite nostalgic entertainers (and friends!) to their intimate venue. Dewey played fiddle with the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley for more than 12 years and Leslie is an accomplished bass player, songwriter, and vocalist who loves clogging and square dancing. For a complete list of upcoming scheduled musicians visit TheLibertyShowcase.com. 

     🏆 High Flying Aviation Award: NC Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame – Step back in time at the NC Aviation Museum & Hall of Fame by viewing a Piper J-3 Flitfire, flown by Orville Wright. The past meets the present as visitors learn the importance of aviation history with displays throughout two hangars – great photo ops here! Continue your journey through history by seeing a stunning A-26 bomber used in combat during the Vietnam War, built in 1943. With an expansive collection of military artifacts and civilian memorabilia from WWI to the present including an impressive collection of military vehicles, weapons, and uniforms, you will even see a Presidential Limousine. 

Ø 🏆 Get Outdoors Award: Deep River State Trail – Familiarize yourself with the natural and historical features that can be found in the Heart of North Carolina by exploring the Deep River State Trail. Recognized as a valuable resource to healthy living, it was designated as an official State Trail in 2007. Currently, hikers enjoy five miles of trail (with more planned) that are home to native wildlife creatures such as great blue herons, river otters, and osprey. Three designated trailheads serve as starting points for outdoor recreation of bicycling, hiking, walking, jogging, and paddling. 

Ø 🏆 Freshest Farm Escape Award: Millstone Creek Orchards – Return to nature at Millstone Creek Orchards, a family-owned, u-pick farm experience. They’ve been connecting travelers with seasonal produce—berries, peaches, pecans, apples, and pumpkins—for almost two decades. Plan to make memories with your family when you tour the 80-acre property with fishing ponds, a covered porch, and scrumptious apple cider slushies. Don’t forget to take home local goodies from the Apple Barn Country Store. They sell honey, jams, jellies, and Goat Lady Dairy cheeses. 

When can we expect you? Visit  HeartofNorthCarolina.com for places to stay and special military discount offers! Find us in the center of North Carolina, an hour and a half drive from Raleigh and Charlotte; we’re only two hours from Fayetteville, NC.

Order a FREE travel guide and check out the listing of annual events on our bit.ly/HNCVBCalendar . We look forward to following along on your visit. Tag us at #theHeartofNC.