
easy
2 hours
Suitable for most fitness levels; short distances and minimal elevation make it accessible to families and older adults
Start before the sun climbs and let Jackson Park’s woodland edges and small wetlands reveal local and migrating birds. This two-hour private walk with an experienced guide is geared to families and first-time birders with binoculars available to borrow.
Dawn arrives soft and low over the Blue Ridge foothills, and the park wakes in a sequence of birdcalls: a sharp chickadee, the liquid run of a wood thrush, a distant red-tailed hawk claiming the ridge. You meet Kevin in the parking lot in front of the Hola Carolina building at Jackson Park, and within minutes his practiced ear has turned the landscape into a classroom of sound. The walk is relaxed but focused, two hours of slow mile-by-mile discovery across easy loops where every branch seems to be holding a story.

Bird activity is highest in the first 60–90 minutes after sunrise; parking is limited so plan to arrive early.
You can bring your own optics or use the guide's binoculars; practice focusing before the walk to avoid missing quick looks.
Mornings can be cool and damp while mid-morning warms up; bring a light layer you can stash.
Even well-behaved pets can scare off birds and other wildlife; service animals are allowed but recreational dogs are discouraged.
Jackson Park has served Hendersonville residents for decades as a neighborhood green space; its network of trails preserves riparian corridors that were once farmland.
Stay on trails to protect nesting habitat and avoid using playback of bird calls to limit stress on sensitive species; local groups monitor populations and welcome sightings data.
A 6–8x binocular helps with quick identification and scanning treetops, though the guide can provide optics.
Supportive trail or walking shoes are best for mixed dirt and paved paths.
Stay hydrated during warm months; small handheld bottles are easiest on a walk.
summer specific
Spring mornings can be damp; a compact layer keeps you comfortable without bulk.
spring specific