Plan a Trip

Cool Springs is open year-round and is free to all visitors. We can accommodate group sizes of up to 60 per day. If you have a larger group, please schedule multiple days for your visit.

Come prepared to spend the day outdoors. We recommend:

• Long pants.
• Substantial shoes suitable for walking long distances through the forest.
• Hats or caps during the insect season. We do provide insect repellent, but you might prefer your own brand.
• No sandals, flip-flops, or other open-toed shoes.
• Bring a snack to eat along the trail—crackers, raisins, etc.—as walking usually coincides with the time many classes would normally be eating lunch. A small snack is usually enough until we return to the shelter for lunch. We recommend the snack be carried by the adults, not children.
• A calculator (only for grades 6-12, land measurement and tree measurement sessions.)

We offer outdoor porta-johns at the main picnic shelter and along the Neuse River. During hot weather, coolers of ice water are placed along the trail.