Great Trails State Day: October 17, 2026
The Great Pottery Pinecone Hunt
The best county-wide scavenger hunt returns for one day only!
This fall, art and adventure come together on the trails of Moore County! On Saturday, October 17, in honor of Great Trails State Day, we’ve partnered with Seagrove Potter Crystal King to create 30 limited-edition pottery pinecones – and they’ll be hidden along select trails for you to discover. It’s the scavenger hunt you’ve been waiting for!
Each hand-crafted pinecone is finished with a red, white, and blue glaze celebrating America's 250th anniversary. Every piece will be stamped, numbered, and authenticated by King, making them rare and highly collectible.
At 9:00am on Saturday, October 17, we’ll reveal which trails are part of the pottery pinecone hunt, so stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages!
If you’re lucky enough to find a pottery pinecone, please register it online to be entered into a drawing for the grand prize:
- $250 gift certificate for Crystal King Pottery in Seagrove
Since there are a limited number of pottery pinecones, we ask for finders to only keep ONE per household. Please leave any additional pinecones on the trail for others to find. Happy hunting and enjoy the trails!
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How the Hunt Works
- On October 17, 2026, 30 pottery pinecones will be hidden on select Moore County trails.
- By 9:00am on October 17, we’ll reveal which trails are part of the pottery pinecone hunt, so be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Rules
- Please keep just ONE pottery pinecone, per household, per campaign.
- Register your find using the Pinecone Registration Form below to be entered to win the grand prize. Only one registration per finder is permitted.
- While people of all ages are welcome to join the hunt, only registered finders 21 or older are eligible to win the Grand Prize.
- Stay on the trails, be respectful of animals and plant life, and practice Leave No Trace Principles.
Notes:
- Pinecones will never be hidden more than roughly 3 feet off any trails but may be hidden up to 3-4 feet high.
- Pinecones will never be hidden on private property.
Did you find a pottery pinecone?
Congratulations! 🎉
Finding one of our pottery pinecones is a special experience and we’d love to celebrate with you! Complete the Pinecone Registration Form below to be entered for a chance to win our grand prize.
Grand Prize:
- $250 gift certificate for Crystal King Pottery in Seagrove
Note: While people of all ages are invited to join the hunt, the Grand Prize winner must be 21 or older.
Why Great Trails State Day Matters
In 2023, the North Carolina legislature officially designated the third Saturday in October as Great Trails State Day. The celebration shines a light on the state’s expansive trail network, which provides free recreation, safe transportation alternatives, and supports North Carolina’s $16.2 billion outdoor recreation economy.
Pinecone Pathways
The pottery pinecone hunt is a fall companion to the our popular Pinecone Pathways Program, launched in 2023. Each spring, in partnership with Starworks glassmakers, our team hides 100 colorful glass pinecones on Moore County trails for visitors to discover between the first day of spring and Earth Day.