Outdoor Programs

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Nature Play

0421 Creek 12 Opens in new windowNature Play programs are geared to get families with elementary-aged kids engaged in nature, learning, playing, and having fun! Some of the programs are educational in focus, while some are purely fun! All ages are always welcome, but minors must be accompanied by a participating adult. These programs are free or low-cost. Space is limited for all programs and registration is required! 

  • Exploration Hike
    Saturday, June 17 from 9:30-11:00 am
    Lake Cammack Park & Marina - Picnic Shelter: 4790 Union Ridge Rd, Burlington
    Fee $5/child. Register now!
    Get your family exploring outdoors! Take a short trek along the shores of the lake and through the woods looking for birds, bugs, plants and animals! Learn about and use some digital tools that your family can use on the trail to explore the wonders of nature! We'll also bring along observation containers, binoculars, magnifying glasses, and old-fashion ID guides to help us understand the natural world around us! We'll also teach you about the things you should always have with you when you go out hiking as well as some survival tips, what to do if you get lost and make a compass to take home!

  • What's in the Water? Exploring Life in the Creek
    Thursday, June 29 from 7:00-8:30 pm
    Burlington Arboretum - Commons Shelter: 315 W. Willowbrook Dr. Burlington
    Fee $5/child. Registration coming soon. 
    Details coming soon.

  • Birds of a Feather
    Saturday, July 22 from 9:30-11:00 am
    North Park
    Fee $5/child.     Registration coming soon.
    Details coming soon.

  • Nature Camp 
    Monday-Friday, July 31-August 4 from 9 am - 12 pm each day
    Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina - Clubhouse: 2704 Huffman Mill Rd. Burlington
    Ages 6-9 (must also be a rising 1st grader)
    Fee: $75/child.     Register now!
    This is a drop-off of camp for kids who love being outdoors and learning about nature! Campers will explore nature through hands-on activities and adventures. One day of camp (Wednesday or Thursday - based on weather) the drop-off/pick-up will be at Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina for a fun day hiking and exploring! Campers should be ready to spend the majority of camp being active and outside. Parents/Guardian do not stay with their camper(s). This is a drop-off/pick-up program.

  • Save the dates for upcoming programs!
    Thursday, August 3 from 7:00-8:30 pm (animals)
    Saturday, August 19 from 9:30-11:00 am (trees)


Get Hiking! Series - 2023 NC Year of the Trail

2023 has been designated as NC Year of the Trail - celebrating North Carolina’s vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways which showcase our diverse landscapes – grand mountain vistas, quiet rivers, vibrant urban greenways, coastal forests, and the rolling hills of the piedmont

Celebrate Year of the Trail by joining a Get Hiking! hike on local trails in Burlington and around Alamance County! These small-group guided hikes take place on natural surface trails, over rolling terrain with occasional steep hills. Hikes are typically between 2-3 miles and generally last 1.25-2 hours depending on length. All ages are welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. Registered hikers will receive a receipt with additional details regarding each hike. 
Most hikes are free, but pre-registration is required!  Register online now!

  • Tuesday, June 13 at 6:00 pm
    Haw River Trail at Glencoe | 2 miles
  • Tuesday, June 27 at 6:00 pm 
    Haw River Trail at Swepsonville | 2 miles
  • Tuesday, July 11 at 6:00 pm
    Shallow Ford Natural Area | 2-2.5 miles
  • Tuesday, July 25 at 6:00 pm
    Guilford Mackintosh Park & Marina | 2 miles
  • Tuesday, August 8 at 6:00 pm
    Cedarock Park | 2(ish) miles
  • Tuesday, August 22 at 6:00 pm
    Guilford County Farm | 2 miles
  • September-October hikes coming soon!

**Be sure to join the waitlist if you are interested in a hike that is full! We will reach out to you if there is a cancellation - which often happens! 

Volunteer - Trail Building & Maintenance

New volunteers are invited to join the volunteer trail crew to help build and maintain trails along the Haw River Trail/Mountains-to-Sea Trail and all around Burlington and Alamance County. No experience is necessary and tools will be provided. Volunteering is coordinated through the Alamance Task Force of the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Contact Alamance Task Force Leader Andrew Sam at 336-263-7753.

The trail crew typically meets on Mondays at 9 am and the 3rd Saturday of the month at 9 am. Contact Andrew Sam for the most up-to-date schedule and locations. 

**A note about online registration**
Burlington Recreation and Parks has transitioned to a new cloud-based registration program, CivicRec. When you click the link to register, you will be taken to this new platform. If you are a new user, you will create an account. You will only have to do this once. Under your account you will be able to add members of your family for quick and easy registration for hiking programs and any other program offered through Burlington Recreation & Parks. If you are a returning user, log into your account and register! 
Of all the paths you take, make sure a few of them are dirt.