November 2026 Hiking Events: Trail Races, Free Park Days & Fall Challenges
November 2026 hiking events: Joshua Tree Half Marathon (Nov 7), Veterans Day free national park entry (Nov 11), FEAR Trail Fest NJ (Nov 22), and the free JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge. Dates, registration, how to attend.
In this guide
November is one of the best months of the year to be outside in the US — cool air, empty trails, and a calendar full of reasons to go. Here’s every hiking, trail-running, and outdoor event worth knowing about in November 2026, plus two December events to get on your radar now.
Quick answer: November 2026’s headline outdoor events: Joshua Tree Half Marathon (Nov 7, desert night race), Veterans Day free national park entry (Nov 11, US residents), FEAR Trail Fest (Nov 22, beginner-friendly NJ trail race), and the JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge (free, all month, Johnston County NC). December brings The Running Event expo (Dec 1–3, Austin) and the Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run (Dec 5).
November 7 — Joshua Tree Half Marathon (Mojave Desert, CA)
A 13.1-mile night race through the desert near Joshua Tree, starting at 6:00 PM PST. Sandy loop course, ~773 feet of climbing, headlamp mandatory, 4-hour cutoff. Organized by Vacation Races; current-release entry is $209 with earlier tiers sold out.
Who it’s for: Runners and strong hikers who want a genuinely unusual race — desert singletrack under a dark sky, with a glowing finish-line party.
Full guide: dates, registration & night-race prep →
November 11 — Veterans Day: free national park entry (nationwide)
The last fee-free day of 2026: entrance waived at the 100+ national park sites that normally charge $30–$35 per vehicle. 2026 rule change: free entry applies to US citizens and residents only — bring photo ID if you’re 16+. Camping, tours, and timed-entry reservations still cost money.
Who it’s for: Everyone. Pair it with a sunrise arrival at your nearest fee-charging park to beat the holiday crowds.
Full guide: rules, the 2026 fee-free calendar & planning tips →
November 22 — FEAR Trail Fest (Morristown, NJ)
A 5-mile trail race on the Yellow Trail loop at Lewis Morris Park — rocks, roots, ~600 feet of climbing, and an explicitly beginner-friendly setup: hikers welcome, 2:30 cutoff, free pre-race course previews. New for 2026: a finisher medal for every participant, cupless aid stations, and hemp race bibs.
Who it’s for: Road runners curious about trails, first-time trail racers, and anyone who wants a low-pressure November race.
Full guide: course, registration & race-morning tips →
All month — JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge (Johnston County, NC)
Free, no registration: hike designated trails (1.25–2.94 miles each) anytime through December 31, log each hike on the official form, and earn entries toward door-prize drawings. Last year’s edition logged 250+ miles across the county.
Who it’s for: Beginners, families, and anyone who wants a structured excuse to hike through fall.
Full guide: trails, how to log hikes & prize entries →
December preview: plan these now
- December 1–3 — The Running Event, Austin TX. The running industry’s flagship expo at the Austin Convention Center — three days of gear, brands, and industry buzz. If you’re a gear nerd, this is the pilgrimage.
- December 5 — Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run, Zilker Park. A festive night fun run through the Trail of Lights display, with rolling start times (6–8 PM), a Runner’s Start option at 6 PM, and a Finish Line Festival with food trucks and a fitness expo. Early-bird registration is open now.
Event dates and details verified against official organizer pages and announcements as of October 12, 2026. Prices, start times, and policies can change — always confirm on the official event page before traveling.
Frequently asked questions
What are the biggest hiking and trail events happening in November 2026?
Four standouts: the Joshua Tree Half Marathon night race (Nov 7, Mojave Desert), Veterans Day fee-free national park entry (Nov 11, US residents), FEAR Trail Fest 5-mile trail race (Nov 22, Morristown NJ), and the free JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge running all month in Johnston County, NC.
Which November 2026 hiking events are free to join?
Two are completely free: Veterans Day (Nov 11) waives entrance fees at 100+ fee-charging national parks for US residents, and the JoCo Fall Hiking Challenge (Oct 1–Dec 31) costs nothing with no registration — you just hike designated trails and log them for prize entries.
What trail races are still open for registration in November 2026?
The Joshua Tree Half Marathon (Nov 7) has limited entries left at the $209 current release through Vacation Races, and FEAR Trail Fest (Nov 22) is open via its official race listing. Both are beginner-accessible: Joshua Tree has a 4-hour cutoff, FEAR Trail Fest a 2:30 cutoff with hikers welcome.
Are there any outdoor expos or gear events in late 2026 worth traveling for?
Yes — The Running Event, the running industry’s main trade expo, runs December 1–3, 2026 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX. And the Austin Trail of Lights Fun Run on December 5 at Zilker Park pairs a festive night run with a finish-line expo.
How do I pick which November hiking event is right for my fitness level?
Hikers and beginners: the JoCo Challenge (self-paced, 1.25–3 mile trails) or Veterans Day park visits. New trail racers: FEAR Trail Fest’s 5-mile loop with a 2:30 cutoff. Experienced runners wanting something memorable: the Joshua Tree night half marathon’s sandy 13.1 miles.