Alamance Parks & Cedarock Park

10/30/2026

Something wicked this way comes… It’s the last of our Spooky Species series as October comes to an end and is tomorrow! 🎃

Have people come back from the dead? Is the zombie apocalypse finally upon us? Don’t worry, it’s just dead man’s fingers (Xylaria polymorpha)! Dead man’s fingers are a type of wood-decomposing fungus that can be found in every continent except Antarctica. They’re mostly seen growing at the bases of rotting or injured tree stumps and decaying wood like the ones found in Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area along the Pioneer Camp Trail according to iNaturalist.org. The presence of dead man’s fingers may indicate black root rot of trees, so, watch out for them! Be on the lookout for dead man’s fingers on your next visit to Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area!

Visit Haw River Trail for facts about the spooky species found along the Haw River. Keep checking back throughout the month of October to learn more about different Spooky Species found in Alamance Parks!

10/28/2026

Our Spooky Species series is taking to the night skies! 🦇 Meet the Eastern Red Bat, a fuzzy little night flyer with a perfectly spooky look!

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no, it’s an Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis)! They’re often
misunderstood but most bats are non-aggressive towards humans and only bite in self-defense, and the Eastern Red Bat is no exception. These bats are found widespread in Eastern North America and Bermuda, preying heavily on moths. During the day, they roost in deciduous or evergreen trees. Their color often makes them look like pinecones or dead leaves. According to iNaturalist.org, the Eastern Red Bats has been spotted along the Lookout Trail in Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. Be on the lookout for the Eastern Red Bat on your next visit to Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area!

Be sure to visit Haw River Trail for facts about the spooky species found along the Haw River. Keep checking back throughout the month of October to learn more about different Spooky Species found in Alamance Parks!

10/27/2026

Double, double toil and trouble, another entry into the Spooky Species series was inevitable as we approach !

Fire burn and cauldron bubble—the witches’ familiars are making quite the scuffle. They’re vomiting dog vomit slime mold (Fuligo septica)? Dog vomit slime mold is identified as the vomit of troll cats, who are witches’ familiars, in Scandinavian folklore. This single celled, amoeba-like organism can be found on bark, mulch, lawns, and other rotting organic matter after heavy rainfall, breaking down when the weather dries. In Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area alone this species was observed 17 times, most notably being found along the Northern Approach Trail according to iNaturalist.org. Be on the lookout for dog vomit slime mold on your next visit to Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area!

Visit Haw River Trail for facts about the spooky species found along the Haw River. Keep checking back throughout the month of October to learn more about different Spooky Species found in Alamance Parks!

10/24/2026

Take out your decorative cobwebs and get festive with today’s entry into the Spooky Species series!

What’s that crawling up your back? It’s a Audouin’s trapdoor spider (Ummidia audouini)! Kidding, these spiders are nocturnal and hunt at night making them rare to find. So, it’s unlikely you’ll see them at all, let alone on your back. This trapdoor spider was found in Cedarock Park according to iNaturalist.org, near piles of leaves. Their burrows, which they live in for most of the day, are well hidden and covered in leaf litter. The burrows entrances are hinged on one side, which is what gives trapdoor spiders their name! Be on the lookout for Audouin’s trapdoor spiders on your next visit to Cedarock Park!

Be sure to visit River Trail for facts about the spooky species found along the Haw River. Keep checking back throughout the month of October to learn more about different Spooky Species found in Alamance Parks!

10/21/2026

If you've ever wanted to work in our parks, now is your chance! Alamance Parks is hiring for a Park Technician position! The position offers great health insurance and benefits as well as an active work environment. If you are interested in more information about this position, visit:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/alamancenc

10/20/2026

Ready to get a little grossed out? Today’s entry into our Spooky Species series is sure to make you do a double take!

Is that a mushroom bleeding red juice?! Meet the Red-juice Tooth (Hydnellum peckii)! This unusual fungus looks like something straight out of a scary movie, with bright red droplets that ooze from its pale, bumpy cap. But don’t worry—it’s not bleeding! The droplets are caused by a process called guttation, where excess water is pushed out through the fungus. According to iNaturalist.org, the Red-juice Tooth has been spotted along the Lookout Trail at Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. While it might look like something you’d find in a spooky forest, this mushroom is very real and fairly common! Keep your eyes peeled for strange and spooky sights on your next visit to Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area!

Be sure to visit Haw River Trail for facts about the spooky species found along the Haw River. Keep checking back throughout the month of October to learn more about different Spooky Species found in Alamance Parks!

10/20/2026

It’s time again for our Biannual Cedarock Family Campout!

Join us for a fun night under the stars this Fall, happening Saturday-Sunday, November 7th-8th in Cedarock Park. Alamance Parks invites you to rekindle your love for the outdoors and camping while meeting some new folks. This beginner-friendly event is designed to capture the fun of group camping. We’ll provide the food and meal supplies, all we need is for you to enjoy it. Bring your kids, roommates, and whoever else you can find.

For more information and to reserve your spot click "Sign Up" below!

It's time again for our Biannual Family Campout this Fall. November 7-8. Join us for a fun night under the stars. Alamance Parks invites to rekindle your love for the outdoors and camping while meeting some new folks. This beginner friendly event is designed to capture the romance and fun of group c...

10/20/2026

The footbridge on the Homestead Trail at Shallow Ford Natural Area will be closed for maintenance on Wednesday, October 21st with a possible delayed opening on Thursday, October 22nd. Please use caution when accessing this trail.

10/19/2026

Fall is in the air throughout Cedarock Park thanks to our wonderful park technicians! The Cedarock Historical Farm is the perfect place to visit for some quick family photos in front of the big red barn. The Cedarock Park mules, Clyde and Kate, might be nearby to say hello during your visit! 😀

10/19/2026

New week, new perspective.

The leaves are beginning to show their colors, so hit the trails this week and explore the natural beauty of Alamance County. 🍂

Find local trail information at alamanceparks.com and hawrivertrail.org

📸Top of the Monadnock Lookout Tower at Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area