The best outdoor events in Greenville, SC! From film screenings under the sky to waterfront live music, consider this page your go-to guide to how to do the great outdoors.

Friday, September 22, 2023
Upstate Running Club Youth Team
Sep 22 – Nov 25 all-day
Greenville Sc
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

Upstate Running Club Youth Team (2023)

$001/01  11/2512:00AM EST9:00AM ESTRegistration ends October 1, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

3k & 1 Mile Cross Country Race KICKOFF! – Feb 26th

$002/265:00PM EST6:00PM ESTRegistration ends February 26, 2023 at 11:59pm EST

Track Meet – 3/26

$003/265:00PM EDT6:00PM EDTRegistration ends March 25, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Country Mile 5k – 4/2

$004/029:00AM EDT10:00AM EDTRegistration ends April 1, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Bell Lap Endurance Run 5k & 1 Mile – 4/16

$004/169:00AM EDT10:00AM EDTRegistration ends April 15, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Track Meet – 4/30

$004/305:00PM EDT6:00PM EDTRegistration ends April 30, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Track Meet – 5/28

$005/285:00PM EDT6:00PM EDTRegistration ends May 27, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Track Meet – 6/25

$006/255:00PM EDT6:00PM EDTRegistration ends June 24, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Track Meet – 7/23

$007/235:00PM EDT6:00PM EDTRegistration ends July 22, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Track Meet – 8/27

$008/275:00PM EDT6:00PM EDTRegistration ends August 26, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Cross Country Race at Preserve – 9/24

$009/245:00PM EDT6:00PM EDTRegistration ends September 23, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Cross Country Race at Preserve = 10/29

$010/295:00PM EDT6:00PM EDTRegistration ends October 28, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT

Footlocker Championship – 11/25

$011/258:00AM EST6:00PM ESTRegistration ends November 24, 2023 at 11:59pm EST
Hawk Watch
Sep 22 @ 9:00 am – Sep 30 @ 6:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

Hawk Watch

Being a mile high has its advantages. From atop Grandfather Mountain, visitors can grab a front-row seat to one of nature’s most stunning spectacles — thousands of raptors migrating over the mountains and heading south toward their wintering grounds. Observe the raptors during the annual Hawk Watch, in which official counters and volunteers note the number of passersby in the sky throughout the entire month of September.

Raptors are birds of prey, such as hawks, eagles, owls and vultures. The telltale signs of the raptor are sharp talons, a hooked upper bill and incredible eyesight. While some raptors remain in place during winter, most will travel south, where food is more abundant.

Raptor migration looks very different from what many might imagine. Spectators will not see the “flying V” formation, as with geese, for instance. Instead of flapping, raptors spread their wings and soar by catching the warm updrafts that rise from the mountains.

Grandfather Mountain is a prime spot for viewing this phenomena, because it sits along the eastern escarpment of the Appalachian Mountains, and its rocky peaks generate strong thermal uplifts and allow prime visibility. Perhaps the most astounding visual display is the broad-winged hawk, which migrates in groups of hundreds or thousands, called kettles. Those sightings are most common around the second to third week of September.

During 2015’s Hawk Watch, Grandfather Mountain president and executive director Jesse Pope spotted a kettle of some 4,800 broad-wings passing over in less than 30 minutes, along with numerous other kettles of considerable size, amounting to nearly 10,000 raptors in one day. Read about the 2022 Hawk Watch.

Aside from offering a visual spectacle, Hawk Watch serves an important purpose. The annual counts from Grandfather Mountain and other locations help track hawk populations and migration routes over time and provide important data to inform land management decisions. In fact, Grandfather Mountain is one of more than 300 Hawk Watch sites officially designated by the Hawk Migration Association of North America.

Hawk Watch runs throughout the entire month of September, and counts are conducted every day the weather permits — hawks don’t typically fly in fog or storms — on Linville Peak (across the Mile High Swinging Bridge) and Half-Moon Overlook and will be posted daily at HawkCount.org.

Spectators are welcome to observe the migration for free during their visit to Grandfather Mountain. Park staff and Hawk Watch counters are on hand to answer any questions and provide additional information.

Saturday, September 23, 2023
National Public Lands Fee Free Day
Sep 23 all-day
National Public Lands

Come experience the national parks! On five days in 2023, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2023. Please check operating status at this park and others before traveling as holidays and local weather or safety conditions can affect hours of operation.

Nantahala Outdoor Center Guest Appreciation Festival
Sep 23 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

Snag great deals from the Outfitter’s Store, the Guest Used Gear Marketplace, and shop handmade crafts and goods from local artisans. Play riverside games or participate in a race, grab a cold beverage and burger, and dance the evening away with live music.

The Used Boat sale will begin online a week before GAF! Used boats and gear will be available onsite at both the NOC Paddling School and the Outfitter’s Store so be sure to check them out when you visit!

Schedule of Activities

Friday, 9/15
8am GAF Demo Pre-boat sale Online sale starts at 8am. The sale at the NOC Outfitters Store starts at 9am
Friday, 9/22
8am Paddleports Apparel and Used Boats On Sale The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
12-7pm Used Gear Marketplace & Artisan Village River Left at NOC
5-8pm Live Music by Wyatt Esplain Riverside Stage
Saturday, 9/23
8am Used Boat & Apparel Sales The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
8am – 7pm Used Gear Marketplace & Artisan Village
10am-5pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 300 CFS
12-3pm NRC Race Nantahala Slalom Course
12-3pm Macon Faces Kids Facepainting & Henna Free until 3pm!
12-3pm Magic Tom Balloon art & Magic
3pm-6pm Live Music by Christina Chandler Trio Riverside Stage
5pm Check Presentation to American Rivers Riverside Stage
7pm-10pm Live music by The Get Right Band Riverside Stage
Sunday, 9/24
8am Used Boat & Apparel Sales The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
10am-3pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 425 CFS
3-5pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 250 CFS

 

NRC Slalom Race

Come join us for a fun fall citizen’s slalom race on the Nantahala River! The race is open to paddlers of all ages and the course difficulty will be novice – intermediate.

The slalom course will start just above the NOC Founder’s Bridge and end upstream of the highway bridge. The course will consist of 18-20 slalom gates and will run through the 2013 Worlds Hole. Racers are encouraged to use slalom-specific or plastic “half-slice” boats and have at least class 2 river running skills.

Signup by emailing [email protected] or same day registration will be available Saturday morning by the NRC Trailer.  A start list and information will be provided by email.

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Sep 23 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

52nd Annual Girl Scout Day
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain

Girl Scouts are invited to join the park’s naturalists for a fun-filled learning adventure on Grandfather Mountain. Plus, all Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership (all or part of a uniform or a troop roster with the leader’s name on it), and family members will receive discounted admission. Advance reservations for park admission are not required, meaning scouts, troop leaders and family members are welcome to arrive the day of the event without admission tickets already in hand. However, advance registration for many of the day’s programs is required. More details to come.

A schedule will be posted here closer to date.

Grandfather Mountain’s daily program schedule will also be in full swing! Find more details about these daily programs here.

National Public Lands Day: 6th annual DuPont Forest Festival
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
DuPont State Recreational Forest, Guion Access Area
On National Public Lands Day, Saturday September 23, 2023, Friends of DuPont Forest will host the 6th annual DuPont Forest Festival, an event celebrating the adventure and
The DuPont Forest Festival is a free, family friendly event open to the public. It is hosted by Friends of DuPont Forest and sponsored by Henderson County Tourism Development Authority.
The DuPont Forest Festival is a celebration of all the adventure and history found in DuPont State Forest.
We’ll have a mix of drop-in activities, demonstrations, group tours, and hikes, all perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Our number one goal for the Forest Festival is to teach people to love the Forest. Along with having fun, the activities will weave in education about reducing impacts to the Forest, waterfall safety, trails that serve multiple types of recreationalists and Forest conservation. Each event will be led by an expert volunteer and representative from our partner organizations.
This year we are thrilled to partner with the iDaph Events and welcome the Tree Tops Trail Race.
DUPONT FOREST FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10:30am
Thomas Cemetery Hike with Patty Stahl
11:00am
YAM Kids Yoga
Women’s Intermediate Ride- with Amanda Robertson
Women’s Beginner Gravel Ride- With Niki Celani
11:30am
Wintergreen Falls Hike with Greenville Hiking Club
Co-Ed Intermediate Gravel Ride with Lindsey Hall
Co-Ed Beginner Single Track Ride with Michelle Deerlodge
11:45am
Smoky Bear
Women’s Beginner Single Track Ride with Sydney
12:00pm
Intermediate Co-ed MTB Ride with Nate LaValla
Blue Wall Adventures Kids MTB clinic
12:30pm
Respect wildlife activity with Eagle’s Nest Foundation and the Outdoor Activity
Walk on the Wild Side Hike with Conserving Carolina
1:00pm
YAM All Levels Flow Yoga
Earth Walk with Earth Winds
Youth Ride
1:30pm
Trail Rod Presentation with Johnny Kelly
Respect Wildlife activity with Eagle’s Nest Foundation and the Outdoor Activity
1:45pm
Smoky Bear
2:00pm
Yoga and Meditation by Moonchild Farm
Blue Wall Adventures Kids MTB Clinic
Bike Clinic
ALL DAY DROP-IN ACTIVITIES
Pet the miniature horses with Pisgah Trail Blazers
Pine cone craft and scavenger hunt with Jinx
Face Painting and Tattoos with Friends of Dupont Forest
Come see the Rocky the Hellbender with the North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission
View the Craft Gallery with Eagle’s Nest Camp
River Bingo and Leave No Trace Activity with Mills River Partnership
Dance and learn the 7 Leave No Trace principles with Ripple Forest Collective
Fly Fishing Demos with Headwaters Outfitters
Trail Rod Demo’s with Johnny Kelly
Discover the Healing Powers of Waterfalls with Waterfall Keepers of NC
Wood Carving with Piedmont Wood Carvers
Massage with YAM- Yoga and Massage
NC Forest Service
Leave No Trace
Friends of Dupont Forest·
DuPont Trail Crew
Pumpkin Patch
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thompson Family Farms

Thompson Family Farms has expanded to include pumpkins this fall season, in addition to a sunflower maze and other fall crops. With over 3 acres of planted pumpkins, visitors are able to pick their own variety out of the field or select from our assortment of pre-picked pumpkins, while taking in the gorgeous fall mountain views. The farm is open to the public 10am-7pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday beginning September 21 and throughout the entire month of October.

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Sep 23 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.

Guided Trail Walk
Sep 23 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
  • COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
  • At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
National Public Lands Day Sunset Hike
Sep 23 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Cost: Free. Advance Registration Required.
Tweetsie Railroad’s Family-Friendly Halloween Celebration: The Ghost Train
Sep 23 @ 7:30 pm
Tweetsie Railroad

Theme Park Transforms from Wild West by Day to Ghost Train at Night

The spooktacular season of Tweetsie’s Ghost Train® Halloween Celebration, a popular fall family tradition, begins Friday, September 22, and continues every Friday and Saturday night through October 28.

Daytime guests can still enjoy all of Tweetsie’s Wild West adventures, rides and attractions. . . but when the sun goes down, the park gets a full makeover complete with costumed characters, decorations, music and Halloween-themed attractions.

Younger children will love the dance parties, trick-or-treat stations, themed photo opportunities, and the Palace Spooktacular Show.

Braver kids and adults will appreciate the scary night-time journey on the Ghost Train, walking through the hallowed halls of the Haunted House and exploring the murky Freaky Forest.

And, everyone will love the park’s most popular amusement rides after dark in the Creepy Carnival.

The park opens at 7:30 pm with the first train scheduled for 8:00 p.m. On October Saturday nights starting on the 14, 21, and 28, the park opens at 7:15 p.m. with the first train scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $60 for adults, $40 for children (ages 3-12) and free for children age 2 and under. They are sold in advance for a designated night with a scheduled train ride departure time. A limited number of guests will be admitted each evening, so visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets well beforehand to avoid missing out on all of the spooky fun.

National Public Lands Day Campfire Celebration
Sep 23 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park
Cost: Free

Join us in a toast at Chimney Rock Brewing Company to commemorate the newly designated Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail and honor our volunteers. After the toast, stick around for a campfire with s’mores and ghost stories! No registration required.

Sunday, September 24, 2023
Nantahala Outdoor Center Guest Appreciation Festival
Sep 24 @ 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Nantahala Outdoor Center

Snag great deals from the Outfitter’s Store, the Guest Used Gear Marketplace, and shop handmade crafts and goods from local artisans. Play riverside games or participate in a race, grab a cold beverage and burger, and dance the evening away with live music.

The Used Boat sale will begin online a week before GAF! Used boats and gear will be available onsite at both the NOC Paddling School and the Outfitter’s Store so be sure to check them out when you visit!

Schedule of Activities

Friday, 9/15
8am GAF Demo Pre-boat sale Online sale starts at 8am. The sale at the NOC Outfitters Store starts at 9am
Friday, 9/22
8am Paddleports Apparel and Used Boats On Sale The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
12-7pm Used Gear Marketplace & Artisan Village River Left at NOC
5-8pm Live Music by Wyatt Esplain Riverside Stage
Saturday, 9/23
8am Used Boat & Apparel Sales The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
8am – 7pm Used Gear Marketplace & Artisan Village
10am-5pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 300 CFS
12-3pm NRC Race Nantahala Slalom Course
12-3pm Macon Faces Kids Facepainting & Henna Free until 3pm!
12-3pm Magic Tom Balloon art & Magic
3pm-6pm Live Music by Christina Chandler Trio Riverside Stage
5pm Check Presentation to American Rivers Riverside Stage
7pm-10pm Live music by The Get Right Band Riverside Stage
Sunday, 9/24
8am Used Boat & Apparel Sales The Outfitters Store & the NOC Paddling School
10am-3pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 425 CFS
3-5pm Upper Nantahala / Cascades Release 250 CFS

 

NRC Slalom Race

Come join us for a fun fall citizen’s slalom race on the Nantahala River! The race is open to paddlers of all ages and the course difficulty will be novice – intermediate.

The slalom course will start just above the NOC Founder’s Bridge and end upstream of the highway bridge. The course will consist of 18-20 slalom gates and will run through the 2013 Worlds Hole. Racers are encouraged to use slalom-specific or plastic “half-slice” boats and have at least class 2 river running skills.

Signup by emailing [email protected] or same day registration will be available Saturday morning by the NRC Trailer.  A start list and information will be provided by email.

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Sep 24 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Rocky Cove Railroad Exhibit
Sep 24 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
NC Arboretum

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.

Monday, September 25, 2023
Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Sep 25 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Swamp Rabbit Trail Tour
Sep 25 @ 9:30 am
Reedy Rides

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the city of Greenville, South Carolina.

From our location, you can venture south on the trail through Greenville’s many parks. The Swamp Rabbit links up with Falls Park on the Reedy, Cancer Survivors Park and down into Cleveland Park. Heading north, you’ll see how the trail has transformed from an old railbed to a thriving trail with many breweries and eateries, as you head toward Furman University (7 miles) and Travelers Rest (1 miles).

 

Running every Monday/Wednesday 9:30am and 2:30pm and Fridays at 2:30pm

 

2 Hours | Approx 8-10 Miles | $65 per person

Swamp Rabbit Trail Tour
Sep 25 @ 2:30 pm
Reedy Rides

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is a 22-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the city of Greenville, South Carolina.

From our location, you can venture south on the trail through Greenville’s many parks. The Swamp Rabbit links up with Falls Park on the Reedy, Cancer Survivors Park and down into Cleveland Park. Heading north, you’ll see how the trail has transformed from an old railbed to a thriving trail with many breweries and eateries, as you head toward Furman University (7 miles) and Travelers Rest (1 miles).

Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Wilderness Medicine + Survival Skills at Nantahala Outdoor Center
Sep 26 all-day
Nantahala Outdoor Center

LEARN MORE THIS YEAR

Brush up on your wilderness medicine or learn new survival skills! SOLO Southeast & NOC are offering over 200 courses in 2023 and classes in locations across the southeast.

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Bryson City, NC
  • Chattanooga, TN
  • Collegedale, TN
  • Greenville, SC

Find your next course with SOLO Southeast and be prepared for the unexpected!