Leave it to Beavers
Description: Join a ranger to learn about the intrepid beaver. We will discuss its history, characteristics, and learn why it's such an important animal in the state. Meet at the Visitor Center Classroom.
Start Location: Visitor Center Classroom
Length: 30 minutes
Bearwallow Falls Evening Hike
Description: Join a ranger on a half-mile round trip hike of Bearwallow Falls. Come learn how geography helps form the 20 waterfalls found nestled in the park. Bring water, wear comfortable footwear, and dress for the weather. Meet at Bearwallow Picnic Area.
Start Location: Bearwallow Picnic Area
Length: 45 minutes
Fall is Approachingǃ
Description: Fall is a great time to learn about the changing of seasons and the science of leaves. Come join Ranger Hill for a guided hike at the White Pines picnic area to see the early signs of Fall.
Start Location: White Pines Picnic Area
Length: 30 minutes
Track Casting
Description: Make your very own cast mold of animal tracks to take home! Choose from a wide variety of our park creatures’ footprints including raccoons, bobcats, opossums, and more. We will also be learning about how to identify animal tracks. Plan to come back to the Visitor Center to pick up your tracks later in the day.
Start Location: Visitor Center Classroom
Length: 30 minutes
Sunset Storytime
Description: Bring your kiddos and join our naturalist for a nature storybook reading outside at sunset. We will meet at the outdoor amphitheater (go around to the back porch and down the ramp).
Start Location: Outdoor Amphitheater
Length: 30 minutes
Snakes of Gorges Presentation
Description: What snakes do we have here in North Carolina? Come learn to identify Gorges snakes and some facts about them! You will also get the chance to meet a special guest: Al the garter snake.
Start Location: Visitor’s Center Classroom
Length: 30 minutes
Leave No Trace Trailhead Table
Description: Come stop by to see naturalist Reagan at the Rainbow Falls trailhead to learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace in order to recreate at Gorges, and everywhere, in the most responsible way possible.
Start Location: Rainbow Falls Trailhead
Length: 3 hours
Gorges Rocksǃ
Description: Come learn about the unique geology of Gorges State Park that makes it so special.
Start Location: Visitor’s Center Classroom
Length: 30 minutes
Sunset Hike
Description: Join park naturalist Reagan for a guided sunset hike to the overlook of Bearwallow Valley trail and to learn about the different types of animals at Gorges State Park. Bring suitable shoes for a short walk and your own water.
Start Location: Outdoor Amphitheater
Length: 30 minutes
Wildlife Safety
Description: Join a Park Ranger and learn how to be cautious around wildlife to protect them and yourselves!
Start Location: Visitor’s Center
Length: 30 minutes
Hiking’s for the Birds
Descriptionː Join a ranger on a hike to learn about the many different birds that live in Gorges State Park. Be prepared to hike approximately 1-2 miles. Participants will also learn how to use the Merlin app, a great tool for novice birders. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Start Location: Visitor Center
Length: 45 minutes
National TRACK Trails Dayː Kids Walk/Activity
Description: Join Gorges in celebrating the 15th anniversary of TRACK trails on our very own kids’ TRACK trail behind the Visitor’s Center. Park Naturalist Reagan will talk about animal tracks and we will play an animal track game on the trail.
Start Location: Visitor’s Center back porch
Length: 30 minutes
Nature Craft Day
Description: From DIY bear faces, to plastic bottle fireflies, to coloring, and more, come join us in the classroom for a nature themed craft day!
Start Location: Visitor’s Center Classroom
Length: 2 hours
Terrific Turtles
Description: Join our park naturalist to learn all about the turtles we have here in Gorges State Park, especially box turtles: North Carolina’s state reptile.
Start Location: Visitor’s Center
Length: 30 minutes
The Bear Facts
Come join Ranger Hill to learn about the black bears at Gorges State Park and what role they play in the park’s ecosystem.
Meet at the Visitor Center.
The Bear Facts
Come join Ranger Hill to learn about the Black Bears at Gorges State Park and what role they play in the park’s ecosystem.
Location: Park Visitor Center Length: 30 minutes
Hike to Raymond Fisher Pond
Join a Park Ranger for a morning Hike down the Raymond Fisher Pond Trail. Please be prepared for a moderate, 60 minute hike, with proper footwear and water. We will be meeting at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead area.
Location: Rainbow Falls Trailhead Length: 1 Hour
Winter ID?
Winter is a great time to learn and strengthen your plant identification skills. Join Ranger Hill for a guided hike at White Pines Picnic Area to learn some easy tips/tricks for being a winter ID expert.
Location: White Pines Picnic Area
Length: 30 minutes
Wildlife Safety
Join Ranger Briley and learn how to be cautious around wildlife to protect them and yourself!
Start Location: Visitor’s Center
Length: 30 minutes
Holiday Hike
Get some fresh air and join a park ranger for a moderate hike along the Bearwallow Valley Trail. Be prepared for a 2 mile hike with proper footwear and water.
Start Location: Visitor’s Center
Length: 30 minutes
Owl Pellet Dissection
Curious about what an owl eats? Join our Park Naturalist to uncover what one of our local park predators had for lunch!
Start Location: Visitor’s Center Classroom
Length: 1 hour
A Walk in the Woods
Winter has arrived, come learn about the different tree species as we hike to Upper Bear Wallow Falls.
Please be prepared for a short hike (.4 miles).
Start Location: Bearwallow Picnic Area
Length: 30 minutes
Nature Journaling
Join Park Naturalist Kinley to connect nature with art. Weather permitting, participants will take a walk outside!
Start Location: Visitor’s Center
Length: 45 minutes
Fauna Pony Bead Keychains!
Join us to make pony bead key chains and learn about some of our Gorges State Park fauna!
Start Location: Visitor’s Center Classroom
Length: 45 minutes
Sun Printing
Join our Park Naturalist to make a sun-printed bandana to take home! You may take home your bandana later in the day.
Start Location: Visitor's Center Classroom
Length: 1 hour
Mountain Monarch Festival
Join us for our 2nd Annual Mountain Monarch Festival! Activities, crafts, music, food and more!
Location: Visitor’s Center
Length: 4 hours
Lichen or Not
Come join Ranger Hill to learn about the wonderful life of Lichens and their role in the ecosystem at Gorges State Park.
Start Location: Visitor's Center Classroom
Length: 30 minutes
Owl Pellet Dissection
Curious about what an owl eats? Join our Park Naturalist to uncover what one of our local park predators had for lunch!
Start Location: Visitor's Center Classroom
Length: 1 hour
Prescribed Fire Burning Questions
Why do Park Rangers set the forest on fire… ON PURPOSE? Join our Park Naturalist to answer this and other burning question about prescribed burning!
Start Location: Amphitheater
Length: 1 hour
Wildlife Safety
Join Ranger Briley and learn how to be cautious around wildlife to protect them and yourselves!
Start Location: Visitor's Center
Length: 30 minutes