Unique Ways to Celebrate National Trails Day
National Trails Day is next week! (How did June sneak up so quickly?!) On June 3rd, American Hiking Society is encouraging everyone to go outside and walk, run, paddle, horseback ride, swim, and do anything on your local trail systems.
There are events throughout the country where you can meet other cool outdoors folks and grab some American Hiking Society and National Trails Day swag. Some events will even have a stewardship component where you can give back to the community by doing some trail work.
Haven’t found your trail yet? We’ve got you covered.
West Coast
If you live in California and want to meet America Hiking Society ambassadors Shawnté and Saveria, join them for the Geared event, a purpose-powered challenge to rebuild some of America’s greatest trails. Join us at Crystal Lake in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument to celebrate National Trails Day. Volunteers will be given the necessary tools and gear before setting out for trail maintenance. Lunch will be provided, followed by a series of demos and activities, with free product provided by event sponsors American Hiking Society, Go RVing, and Popular Mechanics.
Mid-Atlantic Region
If you live near Washington, D.C., be sure to check out the Potomac River Panorama event hosted by our very own author of Walking Washington, D.C., Barbara Saffir. This moderately paced nature/urban hike meanders about 7 miles from the hubbub of the nation’s capital to a woodsy island oasis and back, looping along the pulchritudinous Potomac River.
It’ll start in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.’s oldest and toniest neighborhood, with brick rowhouses adorning European-skinny streets); cross the artistically arched Francis Scott Key Bridge to explore wild Theodore Roosevelt Island (where a presidential memorial is ensconced in a lush forest with red, white, and blue birds); and then cross classically designed Memorial Bridge to another riverside trail, passing the Kennedy Center, the Watergate, and other waterfront jewels. Near the end, it’ll pop into the Swedish embassy for a quick welcome from a country known for hiking. Click here for more information.
South
Celebrate and experience the fantastic hiking and biking trails of Lake Fort Smith in Arkansas. This day will be full of guided hikes and hiking programs that are great for the whole family. Our author of Five-Star Trails: The Ozarks, Jim Warnock, and his beloved Hiker-dog will be at Lake Fort Smith State Park giving a presentation, signing books, and guiding one of the hikes.
