Wineries, river landscapes and cultural experiences give a trip to Yadkin County a variety of possible focuses. The county has twelve wineries producing award-winning wines; the number may change. You can explore the wineries on your own or use the Yadkin Wine Shuttle Service as a driver option. Since providers and schedules may change, coordinate shuttle arrangements with your plans in advance.

Wine, Events and Local Flavors

If you’re planning a visit around a set event date, several recurring events are worth considering. The Yadkin Valley Grape Festival takes place annually on the third Saturday in October. The program includes wine tastings, live performances, arts and crafts, and food offerings; specific dates and arrangements vary from year to year. Yadkin Winter Reds is another annual wine event, where wineries from Yadkin County present their wines with a small food pairing. Check the dates for each edition before planning your trip around it. Since 1976, the Yadkin Valley Harvest Festival has been a highlight in the Yadkinville area.

There are also local foods to discover outside of events. Shiloh General Store offers Amish-made goods, homemade baked goods, deli meats and cheeses, as well as fresh sandwiches. Opening days and hours may change, so check the latest information before visiting.

Water Access and Outdoor Trails

At Lake Hampton, Yadkin Memorial Park offers opportunities to spend time on the water. Kayaks, pedal boats, stand-up paddleboards and boats with trolling motors are allowed; boats with gasoline engines are not permitted. Kayaks and Jon boats can be rented by the hour or by the day. An accessible kayak launch adds to the options at the lake. Your choice of activity also depends on whether you plan to bring your own boat or rent one on site.

The Yadkin River Trail is designated as a state Blueway Trail and has four access points in Yadkin County. The county maintains the Donnaha Yadkin River Access, Shores Yadkin River Access and Huntsville Yadkin River Access along the river. Keep these river access points distinct from the offerings at Lake Hampton when planning your water activities.

There are several options on land, too. Yadkin County Park has a walking trail surfaced with stone dust, a nature trail and two fishing ponds. A cascade on North Deep Creek is the centerpiece of Shore-Styers Mill Nature Park. These different locations offer practical alternatives if you’d like to plan a walk or nature visit during your stay instead of an activity on the water.

Art, History and Special Outings

Yadkin Cultural Arts Center has the 193-seat Willingham Theater. The Welborn Gallery features a rotating selection of two- and three-dimensional artworks. For a historical focus, Historic Richmond Hill Law School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Richmond Pearson House in Historic Richmond Hill was built in 1861. The county also has a total of six Civil War Trail markers. Each of these offerings provides a different focus, from theater and gallery visits to topics in local history.

Another option is Alpha & Omega, a 20-acre agritourism site with maze trails, hay wagon rides, horse-drawn carriage rides and more than 30 activities. The five-acre corn maze uses an interactive app with custom-created QR codes; it can take an average of only about 30 minutes to complete. The offering is seasonal, so check operating hours before visiting.

Step-on guide services are available for tours of the Yadkin County Quilt Trail. Since the trail is currently being updated, confirm arrangements in advance. Check seasonal offerings and specific event dates against your plans before choosing accommodations.

Discover more destinations: Jonesville, Yadkinville, Hamptonville, Surry County, Moore County, Stokes County, Pasquotank County, Haywood County.

For the broader travel overview: North Carolina.