Conestee Nature Preserve celebrates 20 years of trail connections this Saturday

Conestee Nature Preserve is ready to celebrate a major milestone this weekend, inviting the Upstate community to commemorate 20 years since the opening of its very first nature trail.

The 20 Years of Trail Connections Celebration will take place this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the preserve, centered around the Lost Lake View area (accessed via 840 Mauldin Road).

Following our recent historical look back at Conestee’s remarkable evolution from an industrial textile hub along the Reedy River into a thriving 400-acre wildlife sanctuary, this weekend marks the official community party honoring the donors, volunteers, partners, and trail lovers who made two decades of conservation possible.

A Festive Afternoon on the Trails

Whether you’re a longtime hiker who remembers the preserve’s first dirt paths or a newcomer exploring its boardwalks, Saturday’s festivities offer outdoor fun for every pace:

• The GooseChase App Scavenger Hunt: Families and groups of up to five can team up for an interactive Preserve-wide adventure. Using the free GooseChase mobile app, teams will solve trivia, snap photo missions at scenic landmarks, and complete activities with conservation partner stations along the trails. Costumes and clever team names are strongly encouraged, with prizes awarded to the top three finishing teams.

• Live Music by Lost Lake: Upstate favorite Spare Parts Bluegrass Band will provide a lively acoustic soundtrack throughout the afternoon by the water.

• Local Food Trucks: Grab lunch and cold drinks on-site from Project Host’s HostMobile and The Electric Food Truck.

• Milestone Retrospectives: Interactive exhibits and displays will spotlight the key conservation victories, wildlife recoveries, and civic partnerships that helped build the 13-plus miles of trails and boardwalks visitors enjoy today.

Ticketing & Admission

To support ongoing trail maintenance and ecological stewardship, the preserve is offering two simple ticket tiers:

• General Celebration Ticket ($5 per person): Includes entry to the festivities at Lost Lake View, live bluegrass music, food truck access, and anniversary exhibits.

• GooseChase Scavenger Hunt Team Registration ($20 per team): Covers full celebration access for your entire group (up to five participants; children under 8 participate free and do not count toward team size limits) plus entry into the competitive mobile scavenger hunt.

The event will be held rain or shine. Full details and advance tickets are available directly at conesteepreserve.org/20-years-celebration.