Eno River State Park - Durham, North Carolina

While Durham, North Carolina, might justifiably conjure up urban images of a populous southern city, the outlying areas of Durham have a lot to offer. Durham has a population that exceeds 200,000 in a metropolitan area which includes Raleigh, North Carolina, with a population that reaches over a million and a half people. With numbers like that, it would seem as if people were crushed together in a tight urban sprawl. Well, the urban sprawl fingers out in different directions from Raleigh and Durham, leaving vast gaps of undeveloped lands. Parks like Eno River State Park ensure that the Urban Sprawl will leave vast tracts of native forest untouched for future generations to enjoy.

Eno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill Road
Durham, North Carolina 27705
919-383-1686

Eno River State Park is part of the North Carolina State Park System. The 3900 acre park is open year round with the exception of State Holidays. There are several entrances to the park. Few’s Ford Road which is open from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM during the Winter months (November through February), 8:00 AM until 9:00 PM during the Summer Months (May through August) and 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM during the Spring and Fall months. The Cole Mill, Pleasant Green and Cabe Lands Access points close thirty minutes earlier than the Few’s Ford Access. There is a Park Office located on the property which opens at 8:00 AM and closes at 4:30 PM.

Eno River State Park has plenty of activities for family fun. A great day trip or overnight excursion on a budget. I have not camped at Eno River State Park, but the rates are very reasonable. Along with camping, Eno River State Park has fishing, canoeing and hiking trails. There are plenty of activities for the entire family.

Camping – There are several campsites available at Eno River State Park. There are three Group Campsites, which require advance reservations. The Group Campsites are inexpensive, running one dollar per person per night with a minimum nine dollars per night reservation. Two campsites are located at Buckquarter Creek. These campsites are equipped with three 15’ X 15’ tent pads, picnic tables, grill and firepit. The campsites can be reserved individually or together for groups exceeding the fifteen person limit at each site. The maximum capacity using both sites is thirty. The two sites share a toilet which does not involve plumbing. The nearest parking area is about a mile hike from this campsite, so it is not too far to hike in tents/poles and other gear needed to set up camp.

Cox Mountain Camp is located off of the Cox Mountain Trail overlooking the Eno River. The campsite accommodates between 6 and 26 campers. The campsite is equipped with picnic tables and two firepits. There is one toilet available at this campsite. The tent pads include four 15’ X 15’ tent pads and a smaller 10’ X 15’ tent pad. The nearest parking area is approximately a half mile hike from the campsite.

Read More About Eno River State Park