Three Tips for a Better Outdoor Experience

With Spring in full swing and restrictions easing, everyone is longing to get outdoors. Here are a few steps you can take to make your next excursion to a public space or state park more safe and enjoyable.

1. Leave No Trace. This is one of the founding principles of the outdoors and critical to sustaining our state and world’s natural beauty. While some elements of this concept may seem obvious; others, like staying on the marked trail, keeping quiet, and wearing neutral colors, may not.
2. Plan ahead. Do your research on your destination. Understand your route, as many parks and rural areas are in cellular dead zones. Although state parks are open, many facilities like restrooms, and picnic shelters, water fountains, are closed. Pack non-perishable food, water, and first aid.
3. Be considerate. State Parks and other public spaces are going to be crowded in the coming months as folks try to reclaim some sense of normalcy. If the parking lots are full, consider that area at peak capacity. Remember that state parks are very large areas of rugged land with limited staffing. Know your limits and don’t take unnecessary risks. 

Wilkes is blessed with acres of rugged and beautiful terrain. Here are a few resources to start your journey outside.

Stone Mountain State Park
3042 Frank Parkway
Roaring Gap, NC 28668
336-957-8185
[email protected]

Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest

1956 Rendezvous Mtn. Rd.

Purlear, NC 28665

Phone: (336) 667-5072

[email protected]

Blue Ridge Parkway

(828) 670-1924

[email protected]