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Join us for National Trails Day

National Trails Day is coming June 6.

This nationwide event, created by the American Hiking Society, is the country’s largest celebration of trails.

You can participate in events in every state across the country, including locations all along the North Country Trail.

Events will include guided hikes, tours, trail maintenance, trail town celebrations, opportunities to learn more about the chapters who keep our trail in top shape, and of course, food!

To join the fun:

• Find an event near you by searching the National Trails Day calendar.
• Take photos of yourself on the trail and enter them to win great prizes. Details and weekly challenges leading up to National Trails Day can be found here. Wouldn’t it be fun to see winners on the North Country Trail?
• Take photos on National Trails Day, and enter those photos in a contest here.

So what will you do for National Trails Day?

Here are events we’ve heard about along the North Country Trail. New events are being added weekly, so keep your eye on the National Trails Day calendar. If you are hosting an event for National Trails Day, be sure to register it here.

North Dakota:

• Spend the day at the Fort Ransom State Park, enjoy a ranger-led hike, canoe the Sheyenne River, have a picnic dinner, and a campfire. Details here.

Minnesota:

• Join the Superior Hiking Trail at Jay Cook State Park for the grand opening and ribbon cutting for a new section of trail. Enjoy treats before you hike! Details here.
• Join the NCTA for a hike at Itasca State Park. Details here.

Wisconsin:

• Join the Brule-St. Croix Chapter of the North Country Trail Association at Gordon Dam County Park for a hike, potluck picnic, and installing a trailhead information kiosk. Details here.

Michigan:

• MAY 30 – Join us in Cedar Springs noon – 4 p.m.Games for children, logging demonstration, food, and our own Bruce Matthews will be singing for us. Details here.
• North Country / Manistee River Trail Hike. Details here.
• Come hike along the Little Garlic River through the Elliott Donnelley Wilderness. Details here.
• Hike at the Whitehouse Nature Center and Albion River Walk. Details here.
• Enjoy an introduction to the North Country National Scenic Trail and ham radio as a communication means along the trail. Details here.
• Participate in a Tahquamenon Work Session with the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore chapter NCT. Details here.
• Join the Grand Traverse Hiking Club for hikes and a Trail Town celebration at Fife Lake, our newest trail town. Details here.
• Join the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore chapter for Stomp the Park — Let’s Get Moving Kick-off event. Details here.
• Enjoy the Petoskey Trail Town Celebration with speakers, exhibits, activities, prizes, food and hikes. Details here.
• Hike the North Country Trail from the Marilla Trailhead on Beers Road near Kaleva, MI. Details here.
• Hike from Lookout Mountain to Old Victoria Restoration, exploring stunning panoramic views and historic ruins ranging from former copper mines to residential areas, ending the tour at the restored log cabins of Old Victoria. Details here.

Ohio:

• Join us at Wildcat Hollow to help with some maintenance and prep work for the upcoming Emma Grandma Gatewood Solstice challenge hike. Details here.
• The Great Trail – Sandy Beaver Canal Chapter of the North Country Trail will be hosting a National Trails day event on our newly completed section of trail.  Food and drinks provided and our friends from the Wampum Chapter will be carving walking sticks for anyone interested. Details here.

Pennsylvania:

• Hike Cooks Forest State Park with the Clarion Chapter. Details here.
• Join the Allegheny National Forest Chapter for a trail work day followed by a BBQ. Details here.

New York:

• Join the Finger Lakes Trail for maintenance work. Details here.
• The Cayuga Trails Club will host a National Trails Day construction project on the Finger Lakes Trail in Burdett, New York. Details here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and be sure to tag us in your photos! Use the hashtag #northcountrytrail to share your love of the NCNST.

Have an event for the North Country Trail and National Trails Day not listed above? Link to the details in the comments!

Photo credits: Title photo and blue blaze, Peter Zelinka; Emblem photo, Marc Schaffer