Join us the fourth Saturday in September for a national celebration of the North Country National Scenic Trail!
Each year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers come together on National Public Lands Day to assist with various projects designed to restore and enhance public parks, forests, waterways and more. North Country National Scenic Trail Day coincides with National Public Lands Day each year, to bring awareness, use and volunteerism specifically to the longest National Scenic Trail in America: the North Country Trail.
Whether you join a local Chapter for a hike, or hike a section of the Trail with your family and friends, help us celebrate the NCNST! Share your adventures with us on social media using #NCNSTDay.
2021 Events
North Dakota
| Event | NCTA Chapter | Location | Date/Time | Details |
| Hike | Sheyenne River Valley | Valley City | Sept 25 at 9:00 a.m. (CDT) | Meet at the Rosebud Visitor Center at 9:00 a.m. (CDT) to carpool to Baldhill Dam for a 6.5-mile hike to Katie Olson Wildlife Management Area. There will be a 3-mile option for those who prefer. Lunch will be on your own after the hike at the Ashtabula Crossing. Events Coordinator Becky Heise requests that you RSVP (dbheise@bektel.com) for planning purposes. She may also be seeking a Trail Leader. Wear weather appropriate clothing, and bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. |
Minnesota
| Event | NCTA Chapter | Location | Date/Time | Details |
| Workday | Kekekabic Trail | Snowbank Lake | Sept 25 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EDT) | Join the NCTA Kekekabic Trail Chapter and Northwoods Volunteer Connection as they work on “the Kek” near Snowbank Lake (outside the BWCAW) on NCNST Day. Volunteers will be boated across Snowbank Lake to the Trail to do some clearing work. Contact Eric Campbell at kek@northcountrytrail.org for additional information, or view the Facebook event page. |
Wisconsin
| Event | NCTA Chapter | Location | Date/Time | Details |
| Paddle, Potluck, and Hike | Brule-St. Croix | Solon Springs | Sept 25 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) | Friends of the St. Croix Headwaters will provide canoes, paddles, and life jackets starting at 10:00 a.m. Please bring a dish to share (with serving utensils) for a potluck to follow around 12:00 p.m. Plates, silverware and water will be provided. After, hike a portion of the historic Brule St. Croix Portage, part of the North Country Trail, from St. Croix Lake to Portage Landing and return (~ four miles) and starting about 1:30. Come for all or part of the fun. Learn more via Meetup. |
Michigan
| Event | NCTA Chapter | Location | Date/Time | Details |
| Hike | Ni-Miikanaake | Western Porcupine Mountains | Sept 25 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) | Hike in the Porkies from Speaker’s Cabin to the Presque Isle River. Meet at the Presque Isle River Parking Area at 10:00 a.m. (CDT). Chapter volunteers will then drop off all hikers at the Speaker’s Cabin trailhead for an approximately 3-mile hike back to the Presque Isle River Parking Area, where we can wrap up the fun with a cookout, some laughs, and a shared appreciation of our great public lands. View this event on Facebook. (Allow for approximately 20 minutes between departing the parking area and starting the hike.) |
| “Celebrate Walking” | North Country Trail Hikers | Marquette | Sept 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (EDT) | The Chapter will have an information booth to encourage folks to use the pathway in Marquette. |
| Workday + Hike | Jordan Valley 45° | Warner Creek | Sept 24-26 | Build 70 feet of swamp pan boardwalk, puncheon, and perform tread work. Join the campout right near the project site. |
| Hike | Grand Traverse Hiking Club | Sand Lakes | Sept 25 at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) | Meet at Sand Lakes trailhead, and either hike the loop trail or hike out-and-back. |
| Hike | Chief Baw Beese | Litchfield, Fireman’s Park | Sept 25 at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) | Out-and-back hike starting at Fireman’s Park and going to the Herring Road trailhead, approximately 4 miles. |
| Community Event | — | Outside Coffee Co., Grand Rapids | All month + Sept 25 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (EDT) | This month, our Community Cup drink is the Trail Mix Latte! Made with a house-made pecan coconut syrup and mocha syrup, it’s sure to make you feel like you’re stopping to snack right on the NCT. It’s also offered hot or iced AND can be made as a 12 oz. or 16 oz., so you’re sure to find your favorite way to enjoy! On Sept 25, the NCTA will have a pop-up shop at Outside Coffee Co. with merchandise featuring designs by Woosah owner and artist Erica Lang. |
| Hikes | Chief Noonday | Middleville | Sept 26 at 9:30 a.m. (EDT) | Join guided out-and-back hikes, get a chance to win prizes, and visit the River Dog Tavern afterwards. |
| Hike | Spirit of the Woods | Udell Hills | Sept 25 at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) | Hike from the Udell Hills trailhead at M-55 and Firetower Road, east of Manistee. Afterwards, bring an appetizer/finger food to share at the trailhead and meet other hikers. There are some picnic tables at the trailhead, but you probably will want to bring a folding chair. Note: If you are driving from the north or the south through Manistee on US-31, there is a well-marked detour at the south end of Manistee because the M-55 bridge over the Manistee River is closed for construction. |
Pennsylvania
| Event | NCTA Chapter | Location | Date/Time | Details |
| McConnells Mill Heritage Festival | Wampum | McConnells Mill State Park | Sept 25-26 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EDT) | The Chapter will be sharing information about the NCT and carving hiking sticks with the kids both days at this well-attended event. Learn more via Visit Lawrence County. |
Header photo by Candy Pham