National Trails Day Self Guided Trail Walk

National Trails Day is an annual, nationwide celebration on Saturday, June 6, 2026—encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to discover local trails and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of the great outdoors. 

Grab a friend or member of your family for a Self-Guided Trail walk and discover the "Faces of the Forest" a public art installation on our very own Pritchard Park Trail in Chapel Hill. A 1-mile trail, made up of both paved and natural surface, and part of Pritchard Park, a 34-acre park and open space adjacent to the Chapel Hill Public Library. 

Installed on twelve trees scattered throughout Pritchard Park, "Faces of the Forest" is designed to be explored at your own pace. Walking the trails to see all of the faces typically takes around 30–45 minutes. 

Download the Map and make your plans for National Trails Day in Chapel Hill. 

The clay faces and masks were created by Chapel Hill-based ceramic artist Levi Yakubu, a fifth-generation Nigerian potter. The pieces were inspired by Yakubu's Nigerian heritage and the storytelling traditions of West African ceramics.  

As visitors walk the park trails, they’ll encounter unexpected art and get acquainted with some of the native trees that make up our local landscape. 

Pritchard Park is home to Explore More at Pritchard Park, paved and natural walking trails, School House Creek, public art, musical instruments, and benches for relaxing in nature or observing the sky.