Join us for Outdoors for All – a celebration of our brand promise to help ALL find their path to nature.
You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker, mountain biker or athlete to enjoy the outdoors – at Stowe, we believe every person has a path to nature. That path looks different for everyone. Maybe you prefer a stroll on a paved path while sipping a craft beer. Maybe you love to cook and are interested in learning about incorporating more natural ingredients. Maybe you simply want to sit outside in the evening and enjoy a fire with friends. Or maybe you are the certified “outdoorsy” friend and want to explore all Stowe has to offer.
No matter your level of experience, you can find your path to nature at Stowe. Outdoors for All Weekend from March 27-29 helps put you on that path. Explore and register for events below!
Schedule + Programming (Click each date to view):
Astronomy Meet Up
7-9 p.m. | Garden Pavilion Parking Lot | Free + no registration required | All ages welcome!
The Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club will demonstrate their telescopes and what to do with them! There will be several traditional, as well as digital telescopes on hand for you to get a close up view of some of the stars and planets in the night sky. No equipment or experience necessary – just bring your curiosity!
Hops and Hike
7-9 p.m. | The Trailhead Store | $5* + pre-registration required | Ages 21+
Join our educator on the trails after-hours with a cold (or warm) beverage in hand. Bring your flashlight or headlamp and friends and enjoy the crisp evening air while exploring our property. Please wear proper clothes and shoes for hiking.
*All alcoholic beverages must be purchased at the Trailhead Store. No outside alcohol is allowed on the property.
Splash Dash 5k + Kayak Race
Times vary | The Trailhead Store | Prices vary| All ages welcome!
5K participants run through the neon green of early spring blooms on our trail system with lakefront views and the most picturesque start and finish line in the The Village at Stowe.
NEW! 5K + .5 Mile Kayak Racers will take part in the first ever amphibious race at Stowe! Our amphibians will start out on the 5K course and at about the halfway point, they will veer off course to a beach on Lake Wylie where kayaks will be waiting. Racers will transition to kayak and paddle the loop around Boy Scout Island on Lake Wylie before landing back on the beach. Once on dry land they will finish the 5K course. Don’t worry! Competitors will use kayaks, paddles and PFD’s provided by Stowe. If you plan to participate, you must read the 5K + Paddle Amphibious Race Info page before registering.
Kids Sprint participants will run the Big Pond Loop! Kids will go all out for a quarter mile sprint around an 8-foot-wide crushed concrete loop. The best part?!?! The loop is visible from The Trailhead Store so parents can give their kiddos a little freedom and cheer them on the entire time if they choose!
Forest Bathing
9-11 a.m. | Garden Pavilion Parking Lot |$65 member/$80 non-member | Ages 16+
Join Angie on this journey to unplug, slow down, and reconnect with yourself and the natural world around you. Forest Bathing (also known as the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku) invites you to explore the natural world using your five senses. This is not a hike or naturalist walk; it’s a meditative, guided wander in nature. And there’s a growing body of scientific knowledge that demonstrates the benefits of spending time in nature like this, as a wellness practice and as an effective way to manage stress.
Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes and shoes for walking on uneven surfaces along dirt or gravel covered trails and for sitting down on grass, pine needles, or bare dirt. Bring a hat, sunglasses, layers, or rain gear. Please check the weather as we forest bathe in sun, rain, wind, or snow. Sunscreen and/or bug spray might be appropriate, too. Bring your own water and snacks if needed and a small backpack to carry these personal items. Your guide will have small sit pads available for you to use or you can bring your own yoga mat, towel or blanket.
Registration coming soon!
Pickin’ on the Porch
2-4 p.m. | The Trailhead Store | Free + no registration necessary
Join us for a free afternoon of music and fun to liven up your Outdoors for All experience. Enjoy the talents of Anna Patterson, good food, coffee, wine, craft beer and good vibes on the porch!
Salted Herb Workshop
5-6 p.m. | The Farmhouse Garden Center | $10 – pre-registration required | Ages 14+
Discover the art of making salted herbs in this hands-on workshop where you will learn how to blend fresh rosemary with natural salts to create a flavorful, aromatic seasoning. Participants will explore techniques for balancing herbs and salt, and the benefits of these materials for your mind and body. By the end of the session, you’ll have your own handcrafted rosemary salt blend to take home and enjoy.
Fireside Stories
6:30-7:30 p.m. | The Trailhead Store Fire Pit | Free + no registration necessary | All ages welcome
When the sun is setting and the flames rise, the stories begin. Settle in by the fire for a night of folklore and cozy campfire moments. Please bring your own chair if you’re able.
Overnight Tent Camping
5-7 p.m. | The Trailhead Store | $15 per tent + pre-registration required | All ages welcome
Don’t want the fun to end Saturday night? Spend the night at Stowe for a fun, family-friendly camping experience! Our Programs + Recreation team staff will be on hand to help so all levels of experience are welcome.
Some important notes:
- You are able to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Only alcoholic beverages purchased on site are allowed.
- Please bring all of your own equipment (RV’s and campers are not allowed)
- No firepits or campfires outside of fire pit provided on site
Birding Walk
9-10 a.m. | Garden Pavilion Parking Lot | Free, but pre-registration is required | All ages welcome!
Led by a longtime Stowe volunteer and avid birdwatcher, this guided walk offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse avian life that calls our Garden trails home. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, join us for an educational and enjoyable experience in the great outdoors.
Vendor Market
12-3 p.m. | The Village at Stowe| Free
Explore our vendor market and learn about great organizations and companies to help guide your next adventure. Connect with nature groups, and get inspired to explore the outdoors.
Participating Groups:
- Stowe Horticultural staff (Ask Me Anything booth)
- Schiele Museum
- Ride-A-Bike Bicycle Shop
- Carolina Movement Doc
- Anne Springs Greenway
- Your Lawn Stewards
Seed Paper Making Workshop
12-1 p.m. | The Farmhouse Garden Center | $10 | All ages welcome
Turn recycled paper into something that grows! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to make biodegradable seed paper using recycled materials and locally sourced seeds that can be planted to support native plants.
DIY Bird Feeder Workshop
2-3 p.m. | The Farmhouse Garden Center | $5 | All ages welcome
Create a simple, nature-friendly bird feeder using pinecones, seed and a few easy materials. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll craft a feeder to take home and help support local birds in your backyard.
Family Adventure Race
3-5 p.m. | The Trailhead Store | Free, but pre-registration is required
Kids and adults can team up to explore the Daniel Stowe Conservancy’s property to find hidden checkpoints. Join us for this fun and friendly adventure race where all you get is a map and you find the rest!
Please note:
- Teams must have at least 1 adult at all times
- No equipment or experience needed (bikes acceptable)
