Blogs & News

Drive 40-minutes southwest of downtown for Charlotte’s one and only peak-bagging challenge, with the best city skyline views in the region.

The Latta plantation is now a living history site surrounded by a 1,600-acre nature preserve.

From the Frasier fir and Norway spruce-clad peaks of the Smokies to the bald cypress and tupelo-covered floodplain of Congaree, surprising biodiversity awaits you in the National Park sites just a day’s drive from Charlotte.

North Carolina is peppered with wilderness-enveloped campgrounds, from the Great Smokies to the Atlantic shores.

Pilot Mountain has guided centuries of travelers, from nomadic Native Americans to Moravian immigrants.

With these three backpacking loops, you can sample the best of the Smokies in a weekend.

Combine a history tour and backcountry adventure on North Carolina's Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail.

With the adoption of a five-year bike plan, the Charlotte City Council has thrown its weight behind the city’s cycling movement.

What are the chances that two Charlotte-area triathletes from the same team qualify for the Ironman World Championship in the same year?

Here’s everything you need to know to SUP in Charlotte.

Are you a die-hard roady who puts in mile after mile on pavement? Do you crave the off-camber footing of a technical trail? Or maybe you're a new runner just getting into the swing of this running thing?

Exploring Gaston County, N.C., by bike is perhaps the best way to gain an appreciation for what makes this the go-to spot for outdoor recreation in the region. Spencer and Crowders Mountain burst skyward from the surrounding piedmont and miles of creeks and rivers carve pathways through the tree canopy on their journey from mountains to sea.

Dr. David Anderson, an orthopedic surgeon with OrthoCarolina, has a philosophy about our modern ethos.

"We all work a little too much," he says. “We spend too much time inside, glued to computer screens and mobile devices.”

Stop by Foothills Brewing on a Wednesday evening around 6 p.m. and you’ll find the crowd chugging electrolytes instead of beer. Each week, the Foot Soldier Run Club hosts a group run that usually draws about 40 people of all levels and abilities, from aspiring couch-to-5K athletes to marathon runners.

With everything from mirror-like flatwater to Class III rapids, Gaston County, N.C., features a place to paddle for everyone from novice to expert. Spring has arrived and summer’s not far behind, so stock your dry bag, strap down the kayaks and SUP boards, and head to the launch for a day on the water. Here are some of our favorite destinations.

A unique combination of geology and history—multiple rocky monadnocks rising 1,500 feet above the surrounding Piedmont and a longstanding community-wide commitment to natural preservation—earns Gaston County its reputation as a regional hiking destination. Check out these trails to understand what makes Gaston the go-to training ground for runners, hikers, backpackers, and weekend warriors throughout the southeast.

Staying active in the peak of the Charlotte summer is tough. The humidity on those steamy, Southern days feels like a backpack, weighing you down while you hike or run. Finding the trails that offer some respite is an essential strategy for outdoor enthusiasts here.

Clear your calendar now and finish off a summer full of adventure in the mountains around Winston-Salem with these 10-day trip ideas.

The North Carolina Triad has earned its reputation as one of the Southeast region’s premier climbing destinations, one hold at a time.

Don’t let its name fool you: The U.S. National Whitewater Center covers not only water (white and flat) but enough land and even air-based adventures to delight any stripe of outdoor enthusiast, even those who have never handled a paddle before.

Here’s how to hit the trail, take to the air, and get on the water with 10 recommended picks to satisfy your inner adventurer this summer in Winston-Salem.

Video powered by OrthoCarolina thru a partnership with RootsRated.com

Whether you call it urban hiking or being a tourist in your own city, Charlotte is making it easier to ditch the car and explore the Queen City by foot

Tuck Fest is a three-day festival that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The festival features a variety of outdoor sport competitions that include trail running, kayaking, biking, climbing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and adventure racing. The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the USNWC --

Video powered by OrthoCarolina thru a partnership with RootsRated.com

The multi-purpose trails at Lake Norman State Park are some of the fastest flowing around Charlotte