Triangle Area Real Estate News & Information

Craving a little nature? Visit the Eno River State Park to get your nature fix!

If you are looking to commune with nature in the Triangle area, you don’t have to look far. The Eno River State Park is just in northwest of Durham; just a short drive from downtown. The park is the perfect place to unwind and get in touch with nature. The park consists of 4,900 acres of land, much of it along the Eno River, providing places for hiking, camping, fishing, paddling, and picnicking. Best of all, there is no admission fee.

The park was established in 1975 when the state acquired more than 1,000 acres of land, with the help of the Eno River Association and the Nature Conservancy. Over the years, more land was acquired by the association to protect and preserve more of the river and the land around it.

Let’s look at what the park has to offer.

Explore Eno River State Park Trails

There are almost 30 miles of trails available for hiking in Eno River State Park. The trails are blazed and signed. You can travel the Bobbitt Hole Trail to a scenic area where water rushes over rocks and greenery abounds. Or you can try something challenging, like climbing up Cox Mountain through a scenic forest. There are trail maps available with routes and distances. There is no potable water along the route, so be sure to bring plenty of water and a snack when you hike these trails.

Camping That's Close To Town, But Not Too Close

Eno River State Park camping is a must-do for new residents in the Triangle area. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest at any of the numerous backcountry camping sites in the park. The camping sites are available from the Fews Ford and Cole Mill Access Areas. Some of the sites are not far from the access points, about 3/8 of a mile; some are over a mile away. You will have to carry everything in with you. Each site has a pad for tents, a fire ring, a lantern hook, a bench, and a pit toilet. Some sites have access to water, showers, restrooms, and electrical hookups. Some are handicap accessible; others are not. The reservation website has all of the details for each campsite.

There are a few sites available for group camping. The Cox Mountain Group Camp can accommodate up to 26 people. The Backwater Creek Group Camp has two sites that can each accommodate up to 15 people. The group sites also have picnic tables. Reservations are required for the group campsites.

Get Hooked On Fishing In The Eno River

The Eno River is a great place for fly fishing, bait fishing, and lure fishing. The river is fairly shallow, so wading is not a problem. There are also many places to fish off the banks. The most common fish caught are largemouth bass, bluegill, and Roanoke bass. Chubs and bullheads are also caught at times. Of course, all regulations of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission must be observed.

Paddle Down The Eno River Rapids

Many people take to the water by canoeing or kayaking. Canoeing can be difficult because the water is often so shallow. However, after a heavy rainfall, canoeing is easier. Rain can also create class I, II, and III rapids. To determine the water levels, check the gauges on the road bridges or the Durham station USGS river gauge. For best canoeing, the water level should be between one and three feet on the bridge gauges and between three and five feet on the USGS gauge. Paddling in water above these levels could be dangerous.

Plan A Picnic In The Park

The Eno River State Park can be a great place for picnicking. There are 20 picnic sites at the Fews Ford access area, near the parking lot. Half of those are handicap accessible. Drinking water and restrooms are nearby. For a fee, you can reserve a 12-table picnic shelter, which accommodates 96 people, and also has a fireplace.

Additional picnic sites are available at the Cole Mill access area, with drinking water and restrooms nearby. It also has a handicap-accessible picnic shelter, with eight tables accommodating up to 60 people, that can be reserved for a modest fee.

Learn More About The Park's Ecosystem, Geography, And Natural History

The park rangers hold regularly scheduled educational events to learn about the park, water quality, tree identification, moths, turtles, and other inhabitants of the forest and river. You can also arrange for a special expedition if you're travelling with a large group.

Join In On Other Fun Events

You can plan to hold other events, such as weddings, company parties, and athletic contests at the park. The event may require a special activity permit, but the permit is only $35.

General Park Information:

Eno River State Park Hours:

• Few's Ford Access: May - September — 7am - 10pm
• Cole Mill Access: May - September — 7:30am - 9:30pm
• Pleasant Green & Cabelands Accesses: May - September — 8:30 - 8:30 pm

Eno River State Park Map: Click here for a map of Eno River State Park

There's no missing out on nature at Eno River State Park. Be sure to check it out this summer!