Min Age
Max Group Size
Duration
Price
overview
Join NCOA on a hike to find all that slithers and crawls on the forest floor at night. The Appalachian Mountains are a global hotspot for salamander diversity, home to more species than any other region in the world. There are around 550 different species of salamanders, and these Blue Ridge Mountains are home to 77 of those species! One of our glows in the dark too!
We will hike in a remote section of Pisgah National Forest along a beautiful trail by a creek in an area known as Pigeon Roost. The lightening bugs will help light the way but don’t forget a headlamp for the hike. A brief trip talk before we start the hike will cover eco-conscious salamander handling which prioritizes non-invasive observation, minimal contact, proper gear (wet gloves, no bare hands), and habitat preservation. By following these practices, you protect both the salamander and the ecosystem it inhabits.
We will explore various habitats to find salamanders, searching below rocks and logs. The creatures we discover will be observed and documented before placing them back where they were found.
The details
- Tour dates: June 20th, July 11th, August 1st and September 5th.
- Tours meet at 8:30pm at the NCOA Toe River Outpost to check-in.
- Space is limited to 15 people. Great trip for all ages!
- Make sure to wear waterproof footwear or boots and bring a headlamp.
- More fall dates will be added if we have a lot of interest in these experiences!
GALLERY
Book Online
Group bookings: For groups of 20 or more please contact ncoadventures@gmail.com or call us on (828) 260-4505
We also offer
