RALEIGH, NC (Aug. 14, 2024) — Forests and rivers meet sidewalks and greenways in Visit NC's new Official North Carolina Trail Town Guide, a collection of pathways for adventure-loving travelers and culture seekers exploring the Great Trails State. Created through the Outdoor NC initiative in partnership with 15 allied destinations, the guide serves as a go-to resource for natural wonder, wayside pleasures and soon-to-be-made memories.

“With the Trail Town Guide, trip planners can learn that more than the ocean makes our coast remarkable, that more than rivers and roads wind through the Piedmont, and that more than peaks await mountain travelers,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC, the state's official marketing organization. “They'll also be encouraged to lessen their impact as they explore Craggy Gardens, the mighty Neuse River or the Great Dismal Swamp. And many will appreciate what destinations have done to make experiences more accessible to everyone who wants to engage with history, culture and the outdoors.”

The Trail Town Guide is available at NCTrailTownGuide.com. For each destination, the guide links to a selection of trails, accessibility details, responsible recreation practices and trip tips from local experts. It also includes a map, a list of the seven Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles, and an invitation to “join the movement” toward sustainable travel.

“The new guide extends the mission of Outdoor NC to heighten enjoyment of forests, parks, blueways and greenways while reducing the impact on fragile environments,” Tuttell said. “It also extends the concept of 'trails' to embrace those inspired by humans as well as nature.”

Visit NC launched the Outdoor NC initiative in 2020 to address the toll taken on public lands as people sought escape from pandemic-induced confinement. With Leave No Trace as a founding partner, Outdoor NC enlisted destination marketers, public agencies, nonprofits and private businesses to help educate and inspire responsible use of irreplaceable gifts. The Trail Town Guide deepens the commitment while highlighting trails with more than muscle appeal.

As designated in the guide, the 15 towns and surrounding areas are Highlands, Sylva, Waynesville, Brevard, Asheville, Old Fort, Blowing Rock, Wilkesboro, Gastonia, Eden, Southern Pines, Smithfield, Burgaw, South Mills and Manteo.

Tuttell, who's naturally drawn to outdoor adventure, said travelers like him will appreciate the guide's signposts for crafting well-rounded journeys.

“Each of the 15 destinations has signature outdoor experiences such as segments of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway sites or state parks,” Tuttell said. “They're more than enough to make a trip worthwhile. The guide layers in appeal from culture, history and other eye-opening dimensions.”

Highlights beyond the mainly muscle paths include the African American cultural trails in Asheville, South Mills and Burgaw; drives to see outsize quilt squares in Waynesville and Eden; an arts and crafts tour in Gastonia;  time-tripping on the Overmountain Victory Trail in Old Fort and Wilkesboro and at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site in Manteo; a forestry heritage trek in Brevard; a golf' legacy recap in Southern Pines; local history walks in Smithfield and Blowing Rock; fly fishing in Sylva; and night skies in Highlands.

“The NC Trail Town Guide arrives at a perfect time,” Tuttell said. “What better time than fall to fall in love with what we proudly call the Great Trails State?”

Visit NCTrailTownGuide.com to start planning your next adventure. For more inspiration, make your way to VisitNC.com.

About Visit North Carolina:

Visit North Carolina is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, a private nonprofit corporation that serves as North Carolina's economic development organization. The EDPNC focuses on business and job recruitment, existing industry support, international trade, tourism and film marketing. 

The mission of Visit NC is to unify and lead the state in positioning North Carolina as a preferred destination for leisure travel, group tours, meetings and conventions, sports events and film production. Each year, North Carolina welcomes approximately 43 million visitors who spend nearly $36 billion during their stay. The tourism industry employs more than 227,000 people and generates nearly $2.6 billion in state and local tax revenues. For travel ideas and inspiration, go to VisitNC.com.  

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CONTACT:

Veda Gilbert ǀ Suzanne Brown
media@VisitNC.com