Outdoor Programs

What's Happening Now:
Get Hiking!   Nature Play   Intro to Kayaking   Sunset Paddles   Youth Paddle Clinics   Girls Adventure Camp
 
Join us for a guided outdoor trip, class or program.  Whatever you choose, get out and enjoy it!
Check out the calendar of events. For active Senior Adult outdoor recreation, check out these events.
Do you have a group that would like a private adventure or custom outdoor program? We can help - contact us!
Of all the paths you take, make sure a few of them are dirt.

GET HIKING! Series


Get hiking on local hikes around Burlington, Alamance County and beyond! Expect natural surface trails, rolling terrain with a few steep hills and a moderate pace. Wear comfortable walking shoes (closed-toed) or boots. Bring a water bottle, bug spray & sunscreen. Hikes generally last between 1.5-2 hours. All ages welcome, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. Well mannered dogs also welcome! 
Free, but registration required!

Tuesday, June 5 at 5:45 pm
Guilford Mackintosh Park and Marina - 1345 NC HWY 61, Whitsett | 3 miles 
Register

Thursday, July 5 at 6:00 pm
Haw River Trail at Glencoe Paddle Access
 - 2348 Glencoe St. Burlington | 2 miles
Register

Nature Play


Nature Play programs are geared to get families outdoors in nature, learning, playing and having fun! Some of them include more education and some are purely fun! All ages are welcome, but minors must be accompanied by a participating adult. These programs are free or low cost, but space is limited for all programs and registration is required! 

More Nature Play activities being announced soon! Please check back.

[Girls Only!] Adventure Camp


June 18 - 22 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Ages: 11 - 15
Cost: $220
Lake Mackintosh Park & Marina Clubhouse • 2704 Huffman Mill Road, Burlington, NC 27215
Register NOW (Registration closes Friday, June 8th at 5pm)
Looking for adventure this summer? Each day we’ll try a new outdoor adventure! Plan on honing your skills in fire-building, knot tying, yoga, hiking, geocaching, archery, kayaking, climbing, and more! Campers will need to provide their own lunch and be prepared to be active outdoors each day. For more information contact Melissa Hoose (336) 222-5135. This camp travels off-site most days for activities and trips.

To learn more about other summer camps offered through Burlington Recreation and Parks,visit Youth Programs.
 

Kayak Programs


11th Annual Yee-Haw River Paddle


A benefit for the Haw River Trail
Saturday, June 2 RESCHEDULED for Saturday, June 30
Fee: $20/adults; $10/kids (includes t-shirt)
Registration required. Register now

Family & Beginners’ Paddle 11:00am-12:00pm
Check-in 10:30am-11:00am
Indian Valley Drive Paddle Access
930 Indian Valley Dr, Burlington, NC 27217
Parking available at large Golf Course Parking lot

The Family & Beginners' Paddle route begins at the Indian Valley Paddle Access. Participants will have an hour to paddle up and down the flat water section between Indian Valley and the Glencoe Dam. Boats will be provided at no cost by our sponsoring outfitters. NO personal boats please. 

YeeHaw! River Paddle 9:30am-finish
Check-in from 9:00am-9:30am
Shallow Ford Natural Area
(1955 Gerringer Mill Rd. Elon, NC 27244)
Park at Western Alamance High School - shuttles provided.
 
Participants will need to bring their own boat or arrange rental in advance with a participating outfitter: (Haw River Canoe & Kayak Company, River Run Outfitters, and Three Rivers Outfitters). Outfitter contact information is available here. 

Intro to Kayaking


Dates and times vary. See schedule below.
Guilford Mackintosh Park and Marina
1345 NC HWY 61, Whitsett
Ages: 13 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Fee: $30. Registration required.
This is a class for new or beginner paddlers to build confidence and skills on the water. Class will cover the basics of kayaking: water safety, fitting PFD and kayak, getting in/out of the boat, launching from shore, proper and efficient paddle strokes. Half the class is on the land and half on the water. Fee includes instructor, kayak rental, PFD and paddle. Participants should be comfortable around water and have basic swimming abilities. 

Register online by clicking link below or call Burlington Recreation and Parks to register and pay by phone at 336-222-5030.
  
Upcoming classes:
Monday, June 4  from 5:30-7:30 pm - Register
Monday, July 2 from 5:30-7:30 pm - Register
Monday, August 13 from 5:30-7:30 pm - Register 

Paddle-Palooza Clinic for Youth


Guilford Mackintosh park and Marina
1345 NC HWY 61 Whitsett
Ages: 11-15
Fee: $30. Registration required.
In this small-group, half-day clinic, youth learn all about kayaking with an ACA certified kayak instructor. Clinic covers everything from water safety, fitting your PFD, parts of the kayak, how to properly get in and out of the boat, basic paddle stokes and more. We'll save some time to paddle and explore the lake as well! Clinic includes on-land and on-water lessons. Campers should know how to swim and be prepared to be active throughout the clinic.

Upcoming clinics: 
Friday, July 27 from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm - Register
Friday, August 3 from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm - Register
*Please register for only 1 date.

Sunset Paddles


Locations, dates and times vary.
Ages: 13 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Fee: $20/person; $8/person with personal boat. Registration required. 
Let your stress melt away as you enjoy a leisurely, 2-hour guided paddle. Paddlers will have a guide who provides basic paddling instruction as needed and leads the group on the lake. Fee includes kayak, paddle, PFD, lake fees and guide. For ages 13 and up. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. 
 
Register online below or call Burlington Recreation and Parks to register and pay by phone at 336-222-5030.
   
Tuesday, May 29 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm Rescheduled for Sunday, June 3 from 6:30-8:30 pm
Guilford Mackintosh Lake
1345 NC 61 Whitsett, NC 27377
Register for solo kayak rental or to bring a personal boat.
   
Tuesday, June 12 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Stoney Creek Marina
1798 Faulkner Drive Burlington, NC 27217
Register for a solo kayak rental or to bring a personal boat.

Tuesday, June 26 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Guilford Mackintosh Lake
1345 NC 61 Whitsett, NC 27377
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.

Tuesday, July 24 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
 Guilford Mackintosh Lake
1345 NC 61 Whitsett, NC 27377
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.
 
Tuesday, August 7 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Stoney Creek Marina
1798 Faulkner Drive Burlington, NC 27217
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.

Tuesday, August 21 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm
 Guilford Mackintosh Lake
1345 NC 61 Whitsett, NC 27377
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.

Tuesday, September 4 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
 Guilford Mackintosh Lake
1345 NC 61 Whitsett, NC 27377
Register for solo kayak rental or personal boat.

For more information on any of these programs, email or call the Outdoor Program Coordinator at (336) 222-5135.