JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge 2026: Dates, Trails & How to Join (Free)
The 2026 JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge runs October 1–December 31 in Johnston County, NC — free, no registration. Designated trails, how to log hikes, and how the prize entries work.
In this guide
The 2026 JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge is the rare outdoor event with no entry fee, no registration, and no start line: from October 1 through December 31, 2026, anyone can hike designated trails across Johnston County, North Carolina, log each hike, and earn entries toward door-prize drawings. Run by the Friends of Johnston County Parks with local partners, it’s now in its second decade of getting people outside in peak foliage season.
Quick answer: The JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge runs October 1 – December 31, 2026 in Johnston County, NC. It’s free with no registration — hike a designated trail, submit it on the official form, and each trail earns one prize entry. Last year’s participants logged 250+ miles across the county’s trails.
How it works: hike, log, win
The format couldn’t be simpler:
- Hike a designated trail anytime between October 1 and December 31, 2026.
- Submit your hike through the official Google Form linked on the Johnston County Visitors Bureau challenge page.
- Earn one prize entry per trail. The more distinct trails you hike, the more entries you collect for the door-prize drawings.
There’s no timing, no ranking, and no minimum distance beyond completing the trail. The kickoff event at Clemmons even lets attendees check off two challenge hikes in one visit while learning about county parks projects.
The designated trails
| Trail | Location | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Cole Plantation Loop | Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site | 1.5 miles |
| Buffalo Creek Greenway | Smithfield | 2.94 miles |
| Sam’s Branch Greenway | Clayton | 1.25 miles |
The mix spans a historic-site loop and two greenways — all short, approachable, and family-friendly. Distances run from a 1.25-mile stroll to just under 3 miles, so even a single weekend afternoon can bank multiple entries.
Short, social, and self-paced — if you haven’t hiked much lately, skim our 10 Essentials hiking checklist before your first outing, and brush up on Leave No Trace basics so the designated trails stay pristine all season.
How to attend: planning your challenge hikes
Johnston County sits just southeast of Raleigh, making this an easy day trip from the Triangle — or a reason for a fall weekend in the area. Practical notes:
- It’s self-scheduled. Hike any day, any time across the three-month window. Weekday mornings are the quietest.
- Fall foliage timing. Mid-to-late October is typically peak color in central North Carolina; December hikes trade foliage for crisp, empty trails.
- Log promptly. Submit each hike through the official form soon after you finish so none of your entries slip through the cracks.
- Bring a friend. The challenge is explicitly a community event — group hikes count the same as solo ones.
See the official challenge page and submission form →
Why this one is worth your weekends
Most “challenges” are really races in disguise. JoCo’s isn’t: there’s no fee, no cutoff, no competition — just a structured excuse to explore a county’s trail system across the best hiking season of the year, with prize drawings as a nudge. For beginners, it’s a zero-pressure on-ramp; for regular hikers, it’s a reason to finally walk those greenways you’ve been driving past.
Challenge details compiled from the Johnston County Visitors Bureau announcement. Trail lists and prize details can change — check the official page for the current season’s form and rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge and when does the 2026 edition run?
It’s a free, county-wide fall hiking challenge in Johnston County, North Carolina, running October 1 through December 31, 2026. Hike any of the designated trails, submit each hike through the official form, and earn entries toward door-prize drawings.
Do I need to register or pay anything to join the JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge?
No to both — participation is completely free and no registration is required. You simply hike a designated trail, then submit your hike through the official Google Form to log it and earn a prize entry.
Which trails count toward the 2026 JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge?
The designated trails include the Cole Plantation Loop at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site (1.5 miles), Buffalo Creek Greenway in Smithfield (2.94 miles), and Sam’s Branch Greenway in Clayton (1.25 miles). Each trail you complete counts as one prize entry — more hikes, more entries.
How do the prize drawings work for the JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge?
Each completed hike on a designated trail, submitted through the official form, earns one entry into the door-prize drawings. There’s no limit mentioned on entries, so hiking more trails directly improves your odds.
Is the JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge suitable for beginners and families?
Yes — the designated trails are short (1.25 to under 3 miles), mostly greenway-style paths, and you hike at your own pace on your own schedule across three full months. It’s designed as a get-outside community event, not a race.