Go Outside and Celebrate National Trails Day
The City of Kingsport is encouraging everyone to participate in National Trails Day this Saturday (June 3) by going outside and either walking, running or biking along one of the many trails found within our fair city.
National Trails Day is an annual event held on the first Saturday in June and is sponsored by the American Hiking Society. In Kingsport, you can join in on the fun with these scheduled events:
Guided History Hike at Bays Mountain Park (10 a.m.): Take a four-mile round trip hike along sections of Lakeside and Lake Road Trails listening to stories about the families who once lived on the mountain.
The cost is $5 per person and the event is expected to take approximately three hours. You can register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “history hike” in the search bar.
Griddy on the Greenbelt (10 a.m.): Families of all ages can come out to the Indian Trail Drive trailhead (behind PetSmart) and participate in a dance that’s taken TikTok by storm. Participants will perform the griddy dance at various stations with music and children’s activities (sidewalk chalk and bubbles), then after crossing the finish line, families can go to the Marble Slab and receive a 20% group discount on their order.
Each year, tens of thousands of hikers, bikers, paddlers, horseback riders, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses come together on National Trails Day to advocate for, maintain, clean up and celebrate trails and nature.
Last year, more than 700 sites across the U.S. brought people together for various recreational and volunteer opportunities. More than 12,314 trail volunteers built and maintained more than 347 miles of trails as part of the festivities.
“From Borden Park to the Kingsport Greenbelt to Bays Mountain Park, Kingsport has trails for all ages and all abilities,” said Travis Sensabaugh, program administrator for Kingsport Parks and Recreation. “Even if it’s only for 20 minutes, we encourage you and your family to go outside this Saturday and participate in National Trails Day.”
You can also share your trail experience by tagging #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking on your social media channels.
