2023 NC Year of the Trail celebrates North Carolina's vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes - grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the piedmont. Rutherford County is proud to participate in this statewide effort -- and is kicking off 2023 by celebrating NC First Day Outdoors, an event encouraging everyone to get outside and try a trail!
Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills is inviting everyone to participate in their First Day Outdoors contest by getting outside on one of the amazing trails Rutherford County has to offer (like the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, Purple Martin Greenway, Buffalo Creek Park, or Broad River Paddle Trail). All you have to do is pick your trail, pick your activity, snap a picture, and tag @visitlakelureblueridgenc (IG) or @LakeLureBRF (FB) when you post it. Walking, biking, hiking, running, horseback riding, and even paddling are all acceptable trail activities.
You can also participate in Chimney Rock State Park's First Day Hike and kick off the new year at Chimney Rock State Park. A Park Ranger will offer an informative discussion about the Park's history while the group strolls, hikes, or bikes up to the 3.2-mile entrance road. Usually restricted to motor vehicle traffic only, there will be no cars in your way if you show up for this special, early morning hike.
Jan. 1st, 2023, 8-10am | Chimney Rock State Park Entrance | Old Rock Cafe 431 Main Street Chimney Rock, NC 28720
How to Enter the Contest:
Five winners will be chosen to receive a Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority canvas tote swag bag that includes:
2023 NC Year of the Trail celebrates North Carolina's vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes - grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the piedmont. Rutherford County is proud to participate in this statewide effort -- and is kicking off 2023 by celebrating NC First Day Outdoors, an event encouraging everyone to get outside and try a trail!
Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills is inviting everyone to participate in their First Day Outdoors contest by getting outside on one of the amazing trails Rutherford County has to offer (like the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, Purple Martin Greenway, Buffalo Creek Park, or Broad River Paddle Trail). All you have to do is pick your trail, pick your activity, snap a picture, and tag @visitlakelureblueridgenc (IG) or @LakeLureBRF (FB) when you post it. Walking, biking, hiking, running, horseback riding, and even paddling are all acceptable trail activities.
You can also participate in Chimney Rock State Park's First Day Hike and kick off the new year at Chimney Rock State Park. A Park Ranger will offer an informative discussion about the Park's history while the group strolls, hikes, or bikes up to the 3.2-mile entrance road. Usually restricted to motor vehicle traffic only, there will be no cars in your way if you show up for this special, early morning hike.
Jan. 1st, 2023, 8-10am | Chimney Rock State Park Entrance | Old Rock Cafe 431 Main Street Chimney Rock, NC 28720
How to Enter the Contest:
Five winners will be chosen to receive a Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority canvas tote swag bag that includes:
The Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority (RCTDA), along with the Town of Lake Lure and Conserving Carolina, has continued to develop mountain biking opportunities in the Hickory Nut Gorge. Specifically, purpose-built trails for mountain biking on Weed Patch Mountain and an expanded parking lot at Buffalo Creek Park (part of the Rutherford Bound initiative) are drastically increasing access in the area.
Buffalo Creek Park provides the perfect 1/2-day mountain biking adventure! The park's tight and twisty bermed turns feature a moderate elevation change, with the 3.5 mile main loop trail connecting to the larger Weed Patch Mountain Trail. Currently, the parking lot at Buffalo Creek Park is under construction -- expanding from a small, six-space lot and eventually accommodating 54 parked vehicles. This improvement is funded by the RCTDA as part of the Rutherford Bound initiative and serves visitors to both Buffalo Creek Park and the Weed Patch Mountain Trail.
To turn a 1/2- day Buffalo Creek Park adventure into a full-day, add in Weed Patch Mountain Trail! The award-winning 8.6 mile trail is one of the most exciting backcountry adventures in WNC, traversing rugged mountain terrain through a remote wilderness area. Bikers will cut off of the Buffalo Creek Loop Trail and end at Eagle Rock (Weed Patch is the first public access trail to Eagle Rock in Chimney Rock State Park). This trail is difficult terrain and experienced mountain bikers will enjoy the steep switchbacks and long trail. For a fast downhill ride, park in the Eagle Rock parking area and ride the trail all the way down to the Buffalo Creek Loop.
