Schedule:

8:00 AM - 8:00 PM: Festival and Visitor Info
​
Yadkin Valley Heritage and Trails Center; 257 Standard St., Elkin

Visit the Yadkin Valley Heritage and Trails Center to find out more about the Yadkin Valley, Elkin, our Trails and local businesses. You can also purchase NC Trails Days merch all weekend long! Locker, Showers, Bathroom, and Parking all available on site at this location. The Heritage Center will be open throughout the weekend at varying times.

8:00 AM: NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail Segment 6 Thru-Hike: Day 2

Wells Knob Summit

Start the day in the campsite at Wells Knob and head towards Crater Park in Elkin (13.5 miles). Camping will be available at Crater Park on Friday night as well as alternative lodging (hotels) in town and lots of restaurant options. If you are interested in all or part of the hike, please fill out this form (if you haven't already). Email questions to infoatelkinvalleytrails.org. You Only Need To Fill This Form Out Once.

9:00 AM: Downtown Elkin Historic Hike

Tree Sign Main Street: 204 E. Market St, Elkin. Across from Angry Troll's parking lot.

Walk with Elkin's Main Street Manager, Laura Gaylord, and learn some fun facts, hidden gems, and eclectic history of Elkin, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Plan approximately 2 hours, wear comfortable clothes for this easy hike around 2 miles. Offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday

10:00AM - 5:00PM: Gem Mining, Scavenger Hunts and Rock Painting at Byrd's Branch

Byrd's Branch Campground and Country Store, 225 Martin Byrd Rd., Elkin

10% OFF NEW gem mining activity for the family+ scavenger hunts and rock painting. Visit Byrd's Branch Campground and Store for info! Happening ALL WEEKEND 10-5!

10:00 AM: Naturalist Hike: Birds and Buds

Isaac's Trailhead; 400 E. Carter Mill Rd., Elkin

Join local naturalist and poet, Dr. Bill Griffin, for a native plant and bird ID hike along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail rolling through the countryside of Elkin. All experience levels welcome and binoculars, field guides, and cameras are encouraged

Click Here To Register

12:00PM - 3:00 PM: Yadkin River Clean-Up and Paddle

Elkin access at Crater Park; 310 Standard St., Elkin

Join the Yadkin Riverkeeper (YRK), the Elkin Trails Association, and other volunteers to remove garbage and debris while paddling down the Yadkin from Ronda to Crater Park (6.8 miles) in Elkin. Registration is recommended for this event. YRK will provide a limited number of boats to volunteers that need them, but we are encouraging volunteers to BYOboat. Paddlers will drop off boats in Ronda between 11-11:30 AM, drive to Crater Park for lunch, and be shuttled back to Ronda to begin the cleanup. Volunteers will receive a free lunch.

Click Here To Register

1:00PM - 4:00 PM: Waterfall and Watercolor Hike

Carter Falls Trailhead; Pleasant Ridge Rd., Elkin

Enjoy a beautiful 1-mile out-and-back hike to a waterfall AND learn some techniques with painting 'en plein air' with expert, Heidi Nisbett, of Sketching Summits. LIMITED SPACE! Also, feel free to bring your own materials/paints. If weather turns, this event will be held in the conference room at the Yadkin Valley Heritage and Trails Center.

3:30 PM: Kids Trout Fishing at Big Elkin Creek

Elkin and Alleghany Rail Trailhead; parking lot beside Elkin Rec Center: 399 NC-268 W, Elkin

Bring the kids for fly and cast fishing demos on the Big Elkin. While you're hanging out on the water, get to know Watershed Now along with our local Trout Unlimited chapter, and hear what they are doing to steward our waters and educate the public

4:00 PM: Dog Walkin' Hike

Elkin and Alleghany Rail Trailhead; parking lot beside Elkin Rec Center: 399 NC-268 W, Elkin

This one is for the dogs and their humans who love to hit the trails together! All well-mannered attendees and their dogs are welcome to join an easy hike around 2 miles out-and-back on the scenic and historic Elkin and Alleghany Rail Trail.

4:00PM - 5:30PM: Trail Angels Meet and Greet

Angry Troll Brewing taproom (downstairs): 222 E. Main St., Elkin

Get to know our local advocates for the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail Elkin-stretch. Learn about volunteering opportunities and get connected to the Elkin Valley Trails Association as well as Friends of the MST in a relaxed atmosphere with great refreshments.

5:00 PM: Elkin Mural Trail
tree sign Main Street: 204 E. Market St., Elkin

Take a walk through downtown and explore the numerous murals that have been added over the past 10 years. All designs have a story as to why they were chosen, some with an interesting twist!

6:00PM - 8:00PM: Block Party + Custom Bowls Dinner

Yadkin Valley Heritage and Trails Center; 257 Standard St., Elkin

Swing by the Heritage Center lot on Friday evening for live music on the outdoor stage and a variety of food options. New this year: you can design your own bowl (like at Chipotle, Cava, etc.)! Remember to REGISTER for this one ~ quantity is LIMITED! Be on the lookout for registration link announcements soon on social media (Facebook)

6:00 PM: Self-Guided Elkin ARTrail

Main St., Downtown Elkin

Check out Elkin's galleries for info. All will be open!

8:00PM - 10:00PM: Drum Circle by the River

9:00 PM
Crater Park festival camping area: 310 Standard St., Elkin

Cap off your Friday with a mesmerizing drum circle and fire at the campground by the Yadkin River