Ready to explore the real North Carolina? Whether you’re chasing whitewater thrills, cycling the Blue Ridge Parkway, surfing at sunrise, or discovering urban gems, this giveaway is your chance to live like a local and adventure like a pro across the state.
Enter for a chance to win one of four unforgettable experiences as part of this gear-packed giveaway — all rooted in beautiful North Carolina.
Enter the Visit NC Sweepstakes
The Experiences: Four Epic Getaways
Each prize package includes an adventure in one of North Carolina’s diverse landscapes. From the Blue Ridge Parkway to river rapids to coastal surf, this sweepstakes captures what makes North Carolina one of a kind.
The Gear: Made by Mountains, Loved by Locals
Additionally, every package includes top-notch gear from North Carolina’s own outdoor brands — think sustainable hammocks, bike bags, trail-ready forks, waterproof duffels, and artisan socks. These aren’t just things you use — they’re pieces of the North Carolina adventure spirit.
Cycling: A Two-Wheeled NC Experience
Cycle North Carolina (North Carolina Amateur Sports) will provide a free full-week rider registration for the 2025 Mountains to Coast Ride (shorter options available as well). The outfitter will provide porter service/valet camping, which includes a tent, air mattress, chair, luggage service, and snacks at each campsite for the week.
The winner also gets free bus transport before and after the week’s ride, so you can park for free during ride week and easily shuttle to the event. Additional items and services are available as add-ons, including meals, jerseys, mechanic service, and bike rental or shipping services. This package is valued at $1,439-1,648.
This package includes gear from Cane Creek Cycling and Stringbean Bags.
Cane Creek says its Invert Gravel Fork is a world first. The Invert smoothes your ride and gives unbelievable control on rough roads, loose turns, and steep descents. It’s surprisingly lightweight, easy to use, and sleek. Until this point, no fork made for drop bars has combined a smooth ride, light weight, simplicity, and good looks into one complete package.
The Invert comes in two models: Invert CS ($1,200) climb switch, 40mm, 1,113g; or Invert SL ($1,100) no climb switch, 30mm, 990g. Cane Creek will advise the winner on which fork is the best for them based on information about their bike.
The Pinto Top Tube Bag ($75) is the go-to accessory bag for any cyclist looking for easy access to electronics, food, and more. Whether you’re grinding gravel, cruising to the brewery, or tackling that new bikepacking route, the Pinto Bag has got you covered.
It’s big enough to fit cellphones, wallets, and snacks, but the tapered design ensures it won’t be getting in your way when you’re covering miles.
The Calypso Handlebar Bag ($90) is a burrito-style bar bag that fits perfectly with any bike and handlebar. It’s ideal for road and gravel cyclists who need to store layers and food, but it also works great for commuters and recreational cyclists. The Calypso comes complete with shock cord loops to attach wind jackets, bike pumps, and more.
Whitewater: A Nantahala Outdoor Center Package
The winner will receive four passes to float the Nantahala River through the Nantahala Outer Center. During the peak July season, the river passes are valued at roughly $349. The package includes gear from Watershed Dry Bags and Astral.
The Watershed Ocoee Duffle ($159) is a premium waterproof dry bag designed to keep essentials dry in any environment. Featuring Watershed’s signature ZipDry closure, it’s completely submersible and airtight, making it perfect for any adventure on the water. Compact yet spacious, the Ocoee can fit in tight spaces such as below a kayak deck or under a boat seat while keeping your gear secure and protected.
Astral will provide a pair of its bestselling Loyak shoes ($99). The Loyak is a minimalist-yet-durable, high-performance shoe with exceptional grip and ground feel on land and water.
Surf & Stay: A Wrightsville Beach Surf Experience
The winner of this experience will enjoy a two-night stay at Trailborn Surf & Sound, a beachfront hotel where you can wiggle your toes in the sand and play in the waves.
This giveaway includes a complimentary surf lesson, dining credit for meals, as well as stylish gear from North Carolina makers Tarpestry and Tsuga.
The Weekender Tarpestry ($174) is a water-repellent picnic blanket and tarp. The Weekender is the brand’s most durable outdoor blanket made with its standard UV and water-repellent base layer and an additional layer to provide twice the water resistance and twice the toughness.
The blanket measures 7.5 feet by 4.5 feet and weighs 4 pounds, and it can be staked out by its corner grommets. The blanket-tarp also has a stash pocket for securing items out of sight.
Tsuga is throwing in its Little Badass (LBA) Bucket Cooler ($145), a sturdy, collapsible, insulated cooler that is sure to become an essential part of your weekend adventures. It’s an efficient and versatile soft cooler bag that collapses for space-saving storage when it’s not keeping drinks cold.
Metropolitan Adventure: A Greensboro Outdoor Experience Package
You don’t have to travel beyond city lights to find outdoor fun in North Carolina. The winner of this giveaway will enjoy a two-night stay at La Quinta by Wyndham Greensboro and two tickets to the Skywild treetop ropes course at the Greensboro Science Center.
This package includes a gift card to the Spring Garden Bakery and gear from Recover Brands and Cactus to Pine Goods.
Recover Brands’ new Impact Jacket ($140) is a sustainable soft shell made entirely within our HyperLocal and planet-friendly supply chain. Smart design features like the stowaway hood and drying hook, dual snap-chest enclosure for ventilation, zip side pockets, and more will prove their worth on long training runs or quick neighborhood errands.
Cactus to Pine Goods is pitching in two Upcycled Rope Can Cozies ($25 each) to keep your hands chalky and your beverages insulated. Each cozie is handmade from salvaged retired climbing rope and may be slightly different in texture and a different color than pictured.
Visit North Carolina
No matter what your brand of adventure is, Outdoor NC provides helpful tips on how to explore responsibly in North Carolina. Join the movement to preserve these beautiful outdoor spaces for future generations.
This sweepstakes is your invitation to explore like never before. For real, Visit NC.
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