Two decades of trails: Conestee Nature Preserve to celebrate 20th anniversary with scavenger hunt and festival

For twenty years, Conestee Nature Preserve has served as the Upstate’s urban wilderness, offering hundreds of acres of wetlands, hardwood forests, and winding trails connecting neighboring communities.

On Saturday, November 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the preserve will mark two decades of conservation and trail connections with a community anniversary celebration based at the Forrester Picnic Area.

The event invites outdoor enthusiasts, families, and longtime supporters to celebrate the milestone through two distinct ticketed options: a competitive, app-based preserve scavenger hunt, or a relaxed festival afternoon featuring live bluegrass and local food trucks.

The GooseChase Returns: Friendly Competition on the Trails

Back by popular demand, the GooseChase scavenger hunt sends teams exploring throughout the preserve’s trail network to tackle creative challenges.

Using the free GooseChase mobile app on a smartphone, participating teams will complete missions ranging from snapping scenic group photos and answering natural history prompts to recording short video challenges. Several tasks will feature partner organizations stationed along the paths. The top three highest-scoring teams will take home prizes.

Key competition guidelines include:

• Registration: $20 per team (up to 5 people), which includes full admission to the anniversary festivities for all team members.

• Ages: Children 8 and older should be registered team members, while kids under 8 are welcome to join along free of charge without registering.

• Gear & Attire: Organizers recommend sturdy hiking boots or trail running shoes. Coordinated team costumes and wildlife-themed getups are strongly encouraged.

• Trail Conditions: The scavenger hunt route traverses natural-surface trails with exposed tree roots and changes in elevation, making the hunt route non-ADA accessible.

Live Bluegrass, Food Trucks, and Scenic Views

Visitors who prefer a more relaxed celebration can skip the scavenger hunt and purchase a $5 festival ticket.

Staged in the scenic setting of Conestee’s East Bay near Lost Lake View, the anniversary gathering will feature:

• Live Music: Traditional tunes and foot-stomping rhythms from the Spare Parts Bluegrass Band.

• Local Eats: Concessions available for purchase from local food trucks, including Project Host’s HostMobile and The Electric Food Truck.

• Fall Foliage & History: Scenic views of late-autumn colors along the water, paired with retrospectives honoring the volunteers, donors, and staff who built the preserve over the past 20 years.

Tickets for both the GooseChase competition and general celebration admission must be secured in advance through the preserve’s event portal at conesteepreserve.org/20-years-celebration.