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Bike Rentals
Varies
Wilkes County, NC 28697
Phone: 336-838-8662
Bike Rentals are available locally at Cook's (336.667.4121) and Wilderness Lodge (336.921.2277) www.ncWildernessLodge.com.
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Canoe & Kayak Rentals
Varies
Varies, NC 28697
Phone: 336-838-8662
Roaring River Canoe Rentals,
462 Cottonmill Road, Roaring River, NC 28669
(336) 957-6147;
Windsong Canoes,
11928 Hwy 268 West, Ferguson, NC 28624,
(336) 973-3237;
Wilderness Lodge Canoe, Kayak & Mtn Biking,
185 Edmiston Lane, Boomer, NC 28606,
(336) 921-2277;
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Kerr Scott Biking Trails
W. Kerr Scott Dam
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: 499 Reservoir Road
Some of the best mountain biking in the Blue Ridge can be found along the scenic shores of W. Kerr Scott Reservoir near Wilkesboro. The lake is home to over 40 miles of sweet singletrack, with more under construction.
The trails at Kerr Scott were built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers. They're fast, fun and ready to ride!
Trails at Kerr Scott include:
Dark Mountain, a 7.5-mile network of trails on the north side of the lake,
Overmountain Victory Trail, an 6-mile singletrack trail on the south side of the lake with a scenic 2.5-mile side loop,
Fish Dam Creek Trail, a singletrack connector trail from the tailrace of the dam to the top of the ridge at Dark Mountain,
Warrior Creek Trails, a network of singletrack trails near Warrior Creek Campground.
Mountain Bike Rentals are available locally at Cook's (336.667.4121) and Wilderness Lodge (336.921.2277) www.ncWildernessLodge.com.
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Labryinth Walk
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Cowles Street
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: (336) 667-4231
Outdoor labrinth walk. Free. Always open.
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NC Birding Trail Site: Doughton Park
Blue Ridge Parkway Mileposts 238.5 and 245
Wilkes County, NC 28697
Phone: 336-372-8568
Site Description: Doughton Park is a spectacular park located right on the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
Visitors to the park have several hiking options and may choose to focus on mid-elevation species along the
upper rim of the escarpment, or take a more strenuous approach to the base of the escarpment. For a good
sampling of the upper edge of the escarpment, the Fodder Stack Trail provides a quick way to see Wild Turkey,
Red-eyed and Blue-headed Vireos, Ovenbird, Chestnut-sided, Hooded, Black-throated Green and Black-and-white Warblers, Scarlet Tanager and many other woodland and shrubby field species. For a longer look at many
of these species and others, hike the entire Bluff Mountain Trail. Grasshopper Sparrow and Horned Lark are
often seen in the agricultural lands near the Parkway and close to the Bluffs Lodge. For the more adventurous, a
hike to the bottom on the Grassy Gap Fire Road or Cedar Ridge Trail provide possible looks at mid- to low-elevation species like Acadian Flycatcher, Swainson’s Warbler and Worm-eating Warbler. These lower sections
may also be reached via Longbottom Road, off NC 18. The diversity of habitats, size of the park, and its amenities
can provide many days of exploration and birding.
Species of Interest: Blue-headed Vireo, Black-white Warbler, Swainson’s Warbler, American Redstart,
Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler
Habitats: northern hardwood/cove forest, oak forest & mixed hardwoods/pine, early successional,
river/stream/wetland
Special Concerns: Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are often closed during the winter months due to snow
and ice. Other temporary closures may occur following storms as a result of hazardous road conditions. It is best
to call ahead to get current road conditions (828-298-0398). The use of tapes to attract birds is prohibited.
Access & Parking: The site is open daily, except during Parkway closures. Parking is available at the Bluffs
Coffee Shop.
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NC Birding Trail Site: E.B. Jeffress Park
Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 272
Wilkes County, NC 28697
Phone: 828-295-7591
Site Description: E.B. Jeffress Park is named for the man who successfully persuaded the federal government to
position the Blue Ridge Parkway on its present location. The Cascades parking area, restroom and picnic area are
at Milepost 271.9. The 1.2 mile Cascade Trail begins at the restroom and forms a loop that goes down to a viewing overlook above the cascades on Fall Creek. This trail runs through an oak forest along the ridge and enters into a cove hardwood forest near the creek. The 0.5 mile Tompkins Knob Trail begins at the far (south) end of the parking area and passes through mixed hardwood forest to the Tompkins Knob parking area (Milepost
272.5) and the Jesse Brown Cabin and Cool Springs Baptist Church. Jeffress Park offers nice opportunities to see
migrating birds in spring and summer residents, including Eastern Wood-Pewee, Hooded, Canada, Black-throated Blue and Black-throated Green Warblers, Eastern Towhee, Wood Thrush, White-breasted Nuthatch and Dark-eyed Junco.
Species of Interest: Wood Thrush, American Redstart, Ovenbird, Hooded Warbler, Black and White Warbler,
Scarlet Tanager
Habitats: oak forest & mixed hardwoods/pine, river/stream.
Special Concerns: Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are often closed during the winter months due to snow
and ice. Other temporary closures may occur following storms as a result of hazardous road conditions. It is best
to call ahead to get current road conditions. The use of tapes to attract birds is prohibited. This
site can be very busy on summer weekends; it’s best to visit early before crowds arrive.
Access & Parking: The site is open daily, except during Parkway closures. Restrooms are available from May 1 –
November 1.
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NC Birding Trail Site: Lewis Fork Overlook
Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 270.2
Wilkes County, NC 28697
Phone: 828‐271‐4779
Site Description: The Lewis Fork Overlook provides beautiful panoramic views east from the Blue Ridge
Parkway to the Yadkin River valley. Cerulean Warblers are a highlight for this site and are usually found during
spring at Milepost 270.5, a short 0.3 mile walk south on the Parkway from the Overlook. Many warbler species,
including Black-throated Blue, Black-throated Green, Black and White Warblers, Ovenbird and American
Redstart breed at this site and still others can be found during migration. Also be on the lookout for Pileated and
Downy Woodpeckers, Eastern Phoebe, Wood Thrush, Blue-headed and Red-eyed Vireos, Scarlet Tanager and
White-breasted Nuthatch. Species of Interest: White-breasted Nuthatch, Wood Thrush, Cerulean Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler,
Black-throated Green Warbler, Scarlet Tanager
Habitats: northern hardwood/cove forest
Special Concerns: Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway are often closed during the winter months due to snow
and ice. Other temporary closures may occur following storms as a result of hazardous road conditions. It is best
to call ahead to get current road conditions (828-298-0398). The use of tapes to attract birds is prohibited.
Access & Parking: The site is open daily, except during Parkway closures. Parking is available at designated
overlooks.
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NC Birding Trail Site: Stone Mountain Park
3042 Frank Parkway
Roaring Gap, NC 28668
Phone: 336-957-8185
Site Description: Stone Mountain State Park consists of over 15,000 acres. The park is bordered to the north by
the Blue Ridge Parkway, and by Thurmond Chatham Game Land to the west. Elevations in the park range from
1,900 feet to around 3,500 feet. The park’s main feature is a 600 foot granite dome and approximately 17 miles of
designated trout waters. Along these trout waters you might see a Belted Kingfisher or hear the song of a
Louisiana Waterthrush. Forests dominated by chestnut oak cover the slopes of the park's rock-faces, while scarlet and black oaks, red maple, hickory, white pine and dogwood populate the woodlands. The understory is made
up of blueberry, rhododendron and mountain laurel. Small, slow-growing pines and cedar fringe the rock, while
mats of lichens, mosses and small ferns grow on areas of open, exposed granite. Along the Stone Mountain Loop
Trail you will pass through these different community types. A variety of woodpeckers inhabit the area,
including Red-bellied and Downy Woodpeckers, and Northern Flicker. Also be on the lookout for Scarlet
Tanager, Whip-poor-will, Ruffed Grouse and Wild Turkey.
Species of Interest: Ruffed Grouse, Wild Turkey, Whip-poor-will, Scarlet Tanager
Habitats: oak forest & mixed hardwoods/pine, rocky outcrop, river/stream
Access & Parking: The park is open from 8am to 6pm, November - February; 8am to 7pm, March, October; 8am
to 8pm, April, May, September; 8am to 9pm, June - August.
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NC Birding Trail Site: Thurmond Chatham
Longbottom Road
Traphill, NC 28697
Phone: 919-707-0050
Site Description: Thurmond Chatham Game Land is adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway and Doughton Park.
Habitat management on the Game Land, including prescribed burning, timber harvest and thinning, mowing,
and food plot management, supports a variety of forest and scrub bird species, including Red-eyed and
Blue-headed Vireos, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tanager and Eastern Wood-Pewee. From Long Bottom Road, walk
up Bell Branch Road for 0.6 miles to some small fields. At 1.1 miles, a wet, brushy area attracts a variety of birds,
including numerous wood warblers, thrushes and vireos. A full 2 miles up the road are some larger fields.
During the spring migration, watch and listen for Swainson’s Thrush.
Species of Interest: Acadian Flycatcher, Black-throated Green Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Ovenbird, Louisiana
Waterthrush
Habitats: oak forest & mixed hardwoods/pine, dry coniferous woodlands, early successional, river/stream
Special Concerns: Hunting is allowed on Thurmond Chatham Game Land during certain times of the year.
Birders should be aware of current hunting regulations and seasons, and take adequate safety precautions during
those times. For more on hunting precautions, see the hunting season information at the beginning of this guide.
Access & Parking: The first gate at Bell Branch Road is open year round. A short distance up Bell Branch Road
(less than 0.5 miles) is a hunter parking area. When the gate is closed (January – August), park at the gate without
blocking it. The Game Land can be accessed daily during daylight hours.
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NC Birding Trail Site: W. Kerr Scott
499 Reservoir Rd
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: 336-921-3390
Site Description: This US Army Corps of Engineers Reservoir affords many birding opportunities. A birding
trip here should start at the Visitor Assistance Center, where you can get more information on the many parks
surrounding the reservoir and find out about restricted hunting areas. Many of the nearby parks offer great
views of the reservoir, with trails that pass through a variety of habitats. Watch the margins of the lake for
migrant shorebirds, including Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers. During the breeding season, many birds of the
transition zone from piedmont to mountain habitats are found here, including Pine and Yellow-throated
Warblers and good numbers of Yellow-billed Cuckoo. The pine-dominated areas around the lake are some of the
most reliable areas for Brown-headed Nuthatch closest to the higher mountain regions. Evenings under a full
moon bring Whippoorwill calling. In winter, the lake attracts a number of gull species, including many Ring- billed Gulls, as well as rarer species for the mountains, such as Herring and Bonaparte’s Gulls. In November and
March, various waterfowl species turn up with regularity. Some of the grassy and shrubby areas at the various
parks attract migrating and wintering sparrows like White-crowned, Swamp and Vesper Sparrows.
Species of Interest: Spotted Sandpiper, Solitary Sandpiper, Whippoorwill, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Brown-
headed Nuthatch, wintering waterfowl.
Habitats: floodplain forest, oak forest & mixed hardwoods/pine, wetlands, early successional, reservoir
Special Concerns: Hunting is allowed on W. Kerr Scott Reservoir during certain times of the year. Birders
should be aware of current hunting regulations and seasons, and take adequate safety precautions during those
times. For more on hunting precautions, see the hunting season information at the beginning of this guide.
Access & Parking: The reservoir can be visited daily during daylight hours. The Visitor Assistance Center is
open daily from 7:30am to 4:30pm. Fees apply for some activities.
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NC Birding Trail Site: Whippoorwill Village
11928 NC 268 West
Ferguson, NC 28624
Phone: 336-973-3237
Site Description: This small and historic property contains a collection of log buildings where programming
focuses on the historical and cultural heritage of the area, but good birding opportunities exist, as well. Ample
agricultural lands provide nesting areas for Eastern Meadowlark, Blue Grosbeak, Field, Song and Chipping
Sparrows, and other open habitat birds. Shrubby habitats support White-eyed Vireo, Eastern Towhee, Gray
Catbird and Brown Thrasher. A pleasant walk down a trail to the Yadkin River should yield breeding Northern
Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow-throated Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Summer
Tanager, and Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. Migration seasons bring good numbers of tanagers and warblers
following the river, as well as sparrows and other songbirds to the agricultural fields. During the fall, this area is
also a good place to watch for migrating raptors, given its position at the bottom of the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
Almost any time of year, a visitor can easily see quite a few common birds, including Northern Cardinal,
Northern Mockingbird, Carolina Wren, Carolina Chickadee, and several woodpeckers.
Species of Interest: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Northern Parula, Yellow-throated Warbler, Blue Grosbeak, Eastern
Meadowlark
Habitats: northern hardwood/cove forest, dry coniferous woodlands, oak forest & mixed hardwoods/pine,
river/stream
Access & Parking: The buildings and grounds are open to the public April – December. Daily hours are:
Saturday and Sunday, mornings by appointment for guided tours, 3pm to 5pm for self tours; Monday – Friday,
by appointment for guided tours. Please call ahead to avoid conflicts with school groups or special events. Many
historical programs are also available to the visitor.
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NC Birding Trail Site: Yadkin River Greenway
Varies
Varies, NC 28697
Phone: 336-838-8662
Site Description: This paved greenway system is a nice mix of riparian zone and other habitats. The YMCA- Riverside Park section adjoins large recreational fields, which attract good numbers of migrating shorebirds and songbirds. The Reddies River-Health Foundation section is adjacent to large agricultural fields with ample shrubby borders and fruit-producing trees and shrubs. Both sections also border good sized patches of mature forest. This variety of habitats reflects the variety of bird species found at any season. Summer brings Indigo Bunting, occasional Blue Grosbeak, Orchard Oriole, a variety of vireos, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and many warblers, including Yellow-throated Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Northern Parula. Cliff and Barn Swallows are also found along the Greenway. Fall can be very good time to visit, with a wide variety of resident and more common birds (e.g., Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinal, woodpecker species) and many migrating songbirds and shorebirds. Recently, Upland Sandpiper and Buff-breasted Sandpiper have been observed in the recreational fields by the YMCA access, along with scores of Killdeer and Canada Geese. During the fall migration, the Reddies River section hosts good numbers of warblers, including Tennessee, Magnolia, Black-throated Green, Cape May, Black-throated Blue Warblers and Ovenbird. Species of Interest: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Northern Parula, Baltimore Oriole Habitats: floodplain forest, oak forest & mixed hardwoods/pine, river, early successional Access & Parking: The greenway has seven trailheads between North Wilkesboro and W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. In North Wilkesboro: 1) Smoot Park, 2) on D Street at Reddies River Bridge, 3) on D Street at the Health Foundation/West Park. In Wilkesboro: 1) at Cornerstone Church, 2) at Tyson Trailhead behind Wilkes Heritage Museum, 3) at the east end of Collegiate Avenue, 4) behind Wilkes Family YMCA adjacent to Rivers Edge Park. The final trailhead is at the base of the dam at W. Kerr Scott Reservoir. Parking is available at all trailheads. The greenway can be accessed daily during daylight hours.
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Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest
Route 1
Purlear, NC 28665
Phone: (336) 667-5072
Welcome to Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest, a unique outdoors experience! Located in the rugged Blue Ridge Mountains, this forest showcases magnificent mountain hardwoods in one of North Carolina's most scenic settings. Its features are accessible by a series of well-marked trails, accented by exhibits and displays depicting the ecology of the managed forest.
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Stone Mountain State Park
3042 Frank Parkway
Roaring Gap, NC 28668
Phone: (336) 957-8185
Stone Mountain is not immediately visible upon entering the park that bears its name, but this magnificent 600-foot granite dome is well worth the wait. Sunlight and shadows dance across a broad tapestry of stone. White-tailed deer emerge from the security of the forest to graze on meadow grasses at the mountain's base. The scenery is only one attraction of the park.
Test your fly-fishing techniques in more than 17 miles of designated trout waters. Or, with more than 16 miles of trails, take a hike in the park. Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1975, Stone Mountain is bounded on the north by the Blue Ridge Parkway and on the west by the Thurmond Chatham Game Lands. More than 13,747 acres of mountain beauty offer opportunities for outdoor activities of all kinds.
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W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir
499 Reservoir Road
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: 336-921-3390
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in the beautiful Yadkin River Valley. This manmade lake offers extensive opportunity for outdoor recreational activities.
The entire reservoir is open for public recreational use. Recreational facilities are available at several areas around the reservoir.
There are designated areas for boating, picnicking, camping, fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities including world-class mountain biking trails.
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Wilkes BMX
1606 Industrial Drive
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: (336) 667-1128
The Wilkes BMX Track is part of The Edge Extreme Sports Park, including a state of the art skateboard park. Races are held weekly. For more information and a schedule, link to the website.
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Yadkin River Greenway
717 Main Street
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Phone: (336) 651-8967
This greenway is a beautiful natural area between urban communities where wildlife, vegatation and streams are preserved and enjoyed that travels along the Yadkin and Reddies Rivers.
For a map of the greenway, along with trailhead access points and parking, please link to website above.
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