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Over the past few years, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program has been installing a network of kid friendly hiking trails, called TRACK Trails, on and in communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Kids in Parks program is installing their network of TRACK Trails to help get kids and families “un-plugged”, outdoors and actively engaged in nature, for their health and the health of our parks, said Jason Urroz, director of Kids In Parks. Each TRACK Trail provides a series of self-guided, brochure-led adventures designed to turn an ordinary hike into a fun-filled adventure. And, kids who register their TRACK Trail adventures on the Kids in Parks website (www.kidsinparks.com) become members of the program’s Trail TRACKer Team and earn prizes (incentives) designed to make their next outdoor adventure more fun.

The Mount Jefferson State Natural Area TRACK Trail will be located on the Rhododendron Trail that begins at the upper parking lot and climbs gently toward the summit of Mount Jefferson and Luther Rock. The trail is a 1.1-mile long loop trail with two short out-and-back sections leading the way to both peaks. Please use caution when visiting the peaks.

“We are excited to have partnered with North Carolina State Parks on our 3rd TRACK Trail together,” said Urroz. “The network of TRACK Trails we have formed within the state parks and other land management agencies in the region are giving kids and families from the area multiple options to get outdoors and connected to the resources and special places that make this region so wonderful. From New River State Park, to Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia, to W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir in Wilkesboro and now at Mount Jefferson’s State Natural Area, the region’s network is one of the strongest networks of TRACK Trails in the program.”

“Mt. Jefferson State Natural Area is excited about adding the TRACK Trails program to park activities.”

The grand opening celebration of the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area TRACK Trail will be held on Saturday, May 26, at the trailhead located just above the picnic area in the upper-most parking lot. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 2 p.m.

Take Mount Jefferson State Park Road and once in the park, proceed all the way to the top parking lot; the trailhead is just beyond the picnic area. For more information, call (336) 246-9653.