*This post is being updated on May 12, 2026, as both Grandfather Mountain SP and Kerr Lake SP have completed their hunts, so they are no longer live. The remaining hunts will stay up through August 31st.
**********
The NC Science Trail (ncsciencetrail.org) is pleased to announce today that we have created ten Curious Minds Adventures at ten State Parks on the Actionbound scavenger hunt platform for the NC Science Festival (April 1-30). The adventures are available on the Actionbound app – a free download to your cellphone through your phone’s app store. There’s no need to create a profile and no personal data is collected with Actionbound. You simply find new hunts by searching for the park name or scanning the associated QR code posted for your park’s adventure. Assemble your team and join in on one adventure or try all ten during April.
**ALL EVENTS WILL BE LIVE APRIL 1, 2026**
Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Kure Beach, NC
Coastal Science Trail
Start your adventure at the Visitor Center where you will scan the QR code to begin your Actionbound scavenger hunt. Enjoy six miles of protected shoreline spanning the Ocean to the River with over 288 acres that feature seashore as well as primitive trails meandering through the marsh. Loggerhead sea turtles, piping plovers, and other rare and protected species nest along the sandy shore. Popular for surf fishing, four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed year round with required permits.
NC Science Trail Partner Page
Scan QR Code to Join the Hunt
Lake Norman State Park, Troutman, NC
Piedmont West Science Trail
Start your adventure at the Visitor Center in Troutman where you will scan the QR code in the Actionbound app. Whether you are a mountain bike enthusiast, a paddle sports nut, or a flat path hiker, you’ll find great stuff to do at this Iredell County park.
NC Science Trail Partner Page
Scan QR Code to Join the Hunt
William B. Umstead State Park, Raleigh, NC
Piedmont East Science Trail
Start your adventure at the Visitor Center where you will scan the QR code in the Actionbound app. Escape the hustle and bustle of urban life at William B. Umstead State Park. In this Curious Minds Adventure, you will explore three manmade lakes and 22 miles of hiking trails at this Wake County gem on the Piedmont East Science Trail. What will you find as you wander the trails?
NC Science Trail Partner Page
Scan QR Code to Join the Hunt
Goose Creek State Park
Coastal Science Trail
Start at the Goose Creek Visitor Center and scan the QR code in your Actionbound app. Travel along the Palmetto Boardwalk Trail and explore the wetlands of North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. This scavenger hunt highlights cypress swamps and palmetto wetlands where water plays a key role in shaping the ecosystem. Visitors will learn how wetland plants and animals are adapted to life in flooded, low-oxygen environments. Along the way, you’ll discover how wetlands clean water, support wildlife, and reduce flooding. These unique ecosystems make Goose Creek State Park a truly special place to explore.
Scan QR Code to Join the Hunt
Cliffs of Neuse State Park
Coastal Science Trail
Start at the Visitor Center and scan the QR code in your Actionbound app. Located in Wayne County 15 miles southeast of Goldsboro, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park sits on 90-foot bluffs overlooking the Neuse River. Layers of sand, clay, seashells, shale, and gravel create a spectrum of colors on the face of the cliff. Completing the landscape are longleaf pine restoration areas and creeks that were once used to make moonshine and cornmeal, but now offer quiet fishing spots. An 11-acre lake complements the river in providing opportunities for water recreation. Come join us on a Curious Minds Adventure Scavenger Hunt to explore Cliffs of Neuse State Park for the entire month of April!
Scan QR Code to Join the Hunt
Lake James State Park
Mountain Science Trail
Embark on the Curious Minds Adventure Scavenger Hunt at Lake James State Park! Located in Burke and McDowell counties 50 miles northeast of Asheville, Lake James State Park includes two areas to access this picturesque lake that are perfect for boating, swimming, and fishing. Campsites at both Catawba River and Paddy’s Creek accesses provide an opportunity to spend the night by the lake, with some sites accessible only by paddling. Trails include bike trails at Paddy’s Creek, the kid-friendly Holly Discovery Trail, the historic Overmountain Victory Trail, and the Fonta Flora State Trail.
Scan QR Code to Join the Hunt
Dismal Swamp State Park
Coastal Science Trail
Located in Camden County abutting the state’s northeast border with Virginia, Dismal Swamp State Park provides access to the Great Dismal Swamp, the largest remaining swamp in the eastern United States. This area features unique and abundant plant life and wildlife, as well as a rich cultural history that intertwines with George Washington, the Underground Railroad, and Prohibition. The 22-mile Dismal Swamp Canal is a popular paddling destination and hosts the annual Paddle for the Border event. Join the Curious Minds Adventure Scavenger Hunt at Dismal Swamp State Park!
Scan QR Code to Join the Hunt
Elk Knob State Park
Mountain Science Trail
Join the Curious Minds Adventure Scavenger Hunt at Elk Knob State Park. Journey through northern hardwood forest, follow winding mountain trails, and explore the unique ecosystems of this high-elevation park. Keep your eyes open—what signs of wildlife or weather-shaped landscapes will you uncover? Look for unique rocks that make Elk Knob a very special clue in North Carolina’s geologic history. Start at the Visitor Center and scan the QR code in your Actionbound app.
Scan QR Code to Join the Hunt
**********
The NC Science Trail features 100+ science-focused sites open to the public, including state parks, aquariums, gardens, nature centers, and science museums, as well as the NC Zoo. The Science Trail and its interactive website are designed to connect families and science enthusiasts to fun and exciting science adventures across the state.
For more information about the NC Science Trail, visit http://ncsciencetrail.org. Or follow social media for content, announcements and events “@NCScienceTrail.” The NC Science Trail sends a monthly newsletter to introduce explorers to new and exciting science adventure across the state. Sign up here: http://go.ncsciencetrail.org/sign-up.
Many of these scavenger hunts also can be adapted for classrooms to do on paper. We can provide answer keys and the NC Science Standards for each experience.