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Events & Outings
Piedmont Land Conservancy hosts various events that are designed to connect people with nature. Outings include hikes, farm visits, paddle trips, and more. We would be happy to talk with you or your organization about hosting an outing for your team or group!
Get alerts about upcoming events and outings by joining our email list or following us on social media.
Sign up for our monthly enews to keep up to date with PLC events!
Upcoming Events
Volunteer Workdays at
Emily Allen Wildflower Preserve
Mondays in September and October | 2:00-4:00pm
Winston-Salem, NC
The six-acre Emily Allen Wildflower Preserve is cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers and can always use additional hands. The tradition of stewarding Emily’s Garden among friends involves invasive species removal, native gardening (planting, weeding, mulching, pruning, watering), and building and maintaining trails.
Monday, October 14, 2-4pm
Monday, October 21, 2-4pm
Monday, October 28, 2-4pm
Volunteer Workdays at
Knight Brown Nature Preserve
One Tuesday each month | 9:00am-12:00pm
221 Waterfield Ln, Stokesdale, NC 27357
PLC’s preserves need one day of tender loving care each month. Come help us keep Knight Brown looking pretty at the following volunteer workdays. Each is on a Tuesday morning:
October 15, 9:00am-12:00pm
November 19, 9:00am-12:00pm
December 17, 9:00am-12:00pm
Please RSVP on the trail workday facebook events. If you do not use Facebook, please let us know you’ll be there by emailing Abby at adraut@piedmontland.org.
Questions? Check out the FAQ on our Volunteer Page.
Volunteer Workdays at
Caraway Creek Preserve
One Wednesday each month | 9:00am-12:00pm
829 Jerico Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205
PLC’s Preserves need one day of tender loving care each month. Come help us keep Caraway Creek Preserve looking pretty at the following volunteer workdays. Each is on a Tuesday morning:
October 16, 9:00am-12:00pm
November 20, 9:00am-12:00pm
December 18, 9:00am-12:00pm
Please RSVP on the trail workday facebook events. If you do not use Facebook, please let us know you’ll be there by emailing Abby at adraut@piedmontland.org.
Questions? Check out the FAQ on our Volunteer Page.
Guided Hike at Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area
Sunday, October 20 | 11:00am-1:00pm
5075 Bass Mountain Rd Snow Camp, North Carolina 27349
Join this group hike lead by PLC’s Conservation Advisor, Dr. Ken Bridle. The guided hike will begin at the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area Pine Hill Trailhead in Snow Camp, NC. Parking is available at the trailhead which is 0.3 miles down the gravel road.
The group will hike the Northern Approach Trail and the Heartleaf Loop in a figure 8 for about 3 miles. The climb is about 400ft of elevation gain. The hike will take about 2 hours. This beautiful hike trail features unique rock formations, Buggy Shop Branch Creek, beautiful flora and fauna, and views of the surrounding countryside from the summit through the trees. This trail is considered moderate to difficult.
The outing is open to the public but is limited to 30 people.
Slow Hikers Club at Knight Brown Nature Preserve
Sunday, October 27 | 2:30-4:00pm
221 Waterfield Ln, Stokesdale, NC 27357
Take a walk with PLC’s Slow Hikers Club!
If you enjoy soaking in the scenery, savoring every step, stopping to take pictures, and admiring the smallest details along the trail, join our Slow Hikers Club!
PLC’s Slow Hikers Club is led by Brianna, PLC’s Communications Director and naturalist in training, who is on a never-ending journey to discover and share the natural world. She loves the version of hiking that is about the journey and the joy of exploring nature at a slow pace. If you’re a casual walker, a plant enthusiast, a photographer, or someone who loves a good trail chat, the Slow Hikers Club is for you.
For the very first Slow Hikers Club outing we’ll explore PLC’s Knight Brown Nature Preserve, walking an approximately 1.8 mile loop (including the preserves new trails) in 1.5 hours, stopping frequently to enjoy the scenery, chat, and see what nature has to offer. We’ll try to name trees and plants along the trail. Cameras and binoculars are welcome, as well as nature ID apps like iNaturalist.
The trail is entirely natural surface and has many roots and rocks throughout. There will be a few descents and climbs as well as two bridge crossings that require a step or two up and back down.
We’ll take our time, enjoy the view, and make the most of every moment outdoors. No rush, no pressure—just good company and great hikes.
The outing is open to the public but is limited to 18 people.
Hike to Flat Shoals Mountain
Sunday, November 3 | 1:00pm
Monday, November 4 | 10:00am
Near Hanging Rock State Park
Directions will be emailed before the hike
There are two chances to join a group hike lead by Matt Perry at Flat Shoals Mountain, an area PLC protected before transferring it to Hanging Rock State Park. This property is not usually open to the public.
There are many cool things to see but this hike is strenuous!
This 4 mile hike will be a loop on Flat Shoals Mountain, visiting several caves along the ridge. There are no trails in this area, and though it is wide-open woods, the footing can be loose and uneven.
This area is very rocky and had a prescribed burn in April 2023.
There is about 1000’ elevation gain & loss during the 4 miles.
With those cautions, it is a beautiful, little visited area of the park. There are amazing views of the Sauratown Mountains, from Pilot Mountain to the 3 Sisters Peaks east of the Hanging Rock Ridge. The highlights are a deep gully with high cliffs on both sides, and several caves.
This hike is offered to Friends of Sauratown Mountains members and Piedmont Land Conservancy members.
To sign up, email Matt Perry, matt_m_perry@yahoo.com, by November 1st. Each hike will be limited to 20 participants. The hikes will take place rain or shine.
Walking in Gratitude: A weekend of thankfulness for nature
Join us the weekend before Thanksgiving for a special series of guided hikes where we take a moment to express our gratitude for the earth and all it provides. These “Walking in Gratitude” hikes offer an opportunity to connect with nature, reflect on the beauty and bounty of the natural world, and appreciate the clean air, fresh water, and wildlife that enrich our lives.
When we walk through local protected lands, we can better understand importance of preserving these spaces for future generations. These hikes are also an invitation to give back—by supporting land conservation efforts in our community, we can ensure that these natural treasures continue to thrive.
Come walk with us, give thanks, and help protect the places you love.
Walking in Gratitude Weekend
Guided Hike at Long Creek Park
November 23rd | 9:30-11:30am
5801 Bethania Tobaccoville Rd, Pfafftown, NC 27040
Join PLC’s Director of Land Stewardship, Mindy Mock, for a casual walk exploring the Long Creek Trail in Historic Bethania. Nature is beginning to “rewild” this old golf course and returning it to a bird and wildlife haven.
We will walk the northern section (about half of the almost five-mile loop), but if you like, plan to stay afterwards to enjoy the rest of the trail at your own leisure. Dogs on leashes are welcome. Hike is considered “moderate” on AllTrails.
The park is located at 5801 Bethania Tobaccoville Road, Winston-Salem (27106).
This hike is limited to 20 participants.
Walking in Gratitude Weekend
Nature Reflection Hike at Caraway Creek Preserve
November 23rd | 10:00am-12:00pm
829 Jerico Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205
Join PLC’s Conservation Associate, Tesla Jefferson, for a semi-guided nature reflection hike at our Caraway Creek Preserve. Participants will walk a “loaded” trail with designated stopping points along the way and be guided to reflect both inward on their own land ethic and outward to make personal observations about the natural area surrounding them.
Participants will walk the trail solo or with a friend, but the trail and directions will be clearly marked to make sure everyone stays on the correct path. You are welcome to bring a personal journal if you want to write your reflections down at the designated stops.
The hiking speed will be self-paced, so you are welcome to go as slow or fast through the trail as you would like. This hike is limited to 20 participants.
Walking in Gratitude Weekend
Guided Hike at Knight Brown Nature Preserve
November 23rd | 2:00-4:00pm
221 Waterfield Ln, Stokesdale, NC 27357
Join PLC’s Conservation Advisor, Dr. Ken Bridle, for a guided hike at Knight Brown Nature Preserve. Ken is PLC’s primary natural scientist – go ahead and ask him all your nature questions!
The hike will cover around 2-3 miles. The trail is entirely natural surface and has many roots and rocks throughout. There will be a few descents and climbs as well as two bridge crossings that require a step or two up and back down.
This hike is limited to 20 participants.
Walking in Gratitude Weekend
Guided Hike at Mayo River State Park
November 24th | 10:00am-12:30pm
Mayo River State Park, Stoneville, NC
Join PLC Board Member and volunteer Dr. Will Truslow for a 2.4 mile custom hike to all the best features of Mayo River State Park.
Starting at Mayo River Beach, Will will guide the group along the Mayo River for a ½ mile by an area called the Stair steps. We’ll see the 17 foot Falls Creek Falls and visit Byrd’s Rock which is right on the NC/VA border.
This hike requires a creek crossing both coming and going on the hike. Participants can either cross by stepping on rocks requiring balance (having hiking poles for this is recommended), or by crossing and letting their feet get wet. We’ll also have a short steep road walk of ¼ mile.
Overall, a lovely hike at a conversation pace.
The meeting place is Mayo Beach, also know as the Boilin Hole. It does not have an official address but can be found at Mayo Beach Rd, Stoneville, NC 27048. The coordinates are 36.529512, -79.989443. A map with direction instructions will be sent out prior to the outing.
Walking in Gratitude Weekend
Guided Hike along the Deep River State Trail
November 24th | 2:00-4:00pm
221 Waterfield Ln, Stokesdale, NC 27357
Join Mary Joan Pugh, the Randolph County Trail Coordinator and PLC Partner for a hike along the Deep River State Trail. PLC is the official non-profit partner for the State Trail and has protected many sites along the trail cooridor.
This beautiful hike will begin in Franklinville at the East Riverside Park Trailhead at 163 W Main St. We will hike to the newly completed Sandy Creek Bridge near Ramseur. Round trip the group will cover 3.25 miles with an option to add an extra 1.25 miles to Faith Rock Trail at the end.
It is a beautiful walk on a finely crushed gravel rail trail along Deep River and through a shady forest to a bridge over Sandy Creek connecting to the Ramseur rail trail section. The trail is flat and smooth.
This hike is limited to 20 participants.
Walking in Gratitude Weekend
Slow Hikers Club at Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area
November 24th | 2:00-4:00pm
5075 Bass Mountain Rd, Snow Camp, NC 27349
Take a walk with PLC’s Slow Hikers Club!
If you enjoy soaking in the scenery, savoring every step, stopping to take pictures, and admiring the smallest details along the trail, join our Slow Hikers Club!
PLC’s Slow Hikers Club is led by Brianna, PLC’s Communications Director and naturalist in training, who is on a never-ending journey to discover and share the natural world. She loves the version of hiking that is about the journey and the joy of exploring nature at a slow pace. If you’re a casual walker, a plant enthusiast, a photographer, or someone who loves a good trail chat, the Slow Hikers Club is for you.
This outing of Slow Hikers Club will explore Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area, a beautiful and special area of PLC protected land in Southern Alamance County. We will hike a 2.5 mile loop in 2 hours on the Northern Approach Trail, stopping frequently to enjoy the scenery, chat, and see what nature has to offer. We’ll try to name trees and plants along the trail. Cameras and binoculars are welcome, as well as nature ID apps like iNaturalist.
The trail is entirely natural surface and has many roots and rocks throughout. There will be a period of sustained uphill and then downhill as we summit and descend the big hill. We will gain approximately 350ft of elevation.
We’ll take our time, enjoy the view, and make the most of every moment outdoors. No rush, no pressure—just good company and great hikes.
The outing is open to the public but is limited to 18 people.
Pilot Creek Trail Loop Hike
Sunday, December 15 | 1:00pm
Monday, December 16 | 9:00am
Pilot Creek Access at Pilot Mountain State Park
303 Boyd Nelson Road, Pinnacle, NC 27043
GPS - 36.3589, -80.4935
There are two chances to join a group hike lead by Matt Perry on either Sunday Dec 15th or Monday Dec 16th.
The 6.5 mile hike will traverse land protected by PLC on the Pilot Creek Trail, then will continue into the central area of Pilot Mountain State Park on the Grindstone and Mountain Trails, with about 3/4 mile off trail through open woods.
Bring plenty of water and wear appropriate hiking shoes. Matt’s hikes are held rain or shine.
Spots are limited. Sign up by December 11th by emailing donna.alexander@sauratownfriends.org.
This hike is offered to Friends of Sauratown Mountains members and Piedmont Land Conservancy members.