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Durham, NC

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Eno River State Park

4.7 (123 reviews)
Open • 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Beautiful trails along a stream.
Kendall T.

What an amazing experience. We went on a Sunday at around 10(30 am and there was ample parking. We walked the Cole mill trail with our two dogs and it was a great level of difficulty for small dogs. Overall, a great place to visit if you are staying in Durham!

Welcome area...they have great restrooms here as well.
Gary F.

A great park with brand new facilities. Found the people in the information area to be knowledgeable about the park and surrounding areas. Learned a great deal from them on the way we shed, local plants, and the history of the park. The trails are in heavily wooded areas so they make a good alternative on a sunny day. Easy to get to with good signage off the interstate and located in Durham, so it is convenient from Raleigh, Greensboro and parts in between.

Eno River
Andy T.

Great place for a wonderful spring hike through the forests and along the banks of the Eno River.

Elizabeth N.

What a great spot to play and have fun with families hiking in the woods. There are places to splash and cool off, easy trails, bathrooms and a park office! I'd certainly recommend it to families

Hiking
Richard A.

First time visitor to the area and heard about Eno River State Park for hiking. It didn't disappoint. Very picturesque and tranquil. High recommend.

Heron
Andrew K.

I love Eno River State Park! There are so many different trails to explore. There are also a variety of different parking lots. Beware though! Some of them fill up pretty quickly on the weekends. They don't really fill up on weekdays though! I like Fews Ford specifically. It is so fun to wade in the water on a hot day! And I often see wildlife (snakes, birds, fish, etc).

Marissa M.

I survived my first hike in North Carolina at Eno today. I've been wanting to get out and hike for sometime since relocating from New York. I was invited on a group hike with 7 others. Eno is a 28 minute ride from home and one straight shot. I arrived about 8:30 and was able to score a great parking spot at Cox Trail. This is very rugged terrain but perfect for working out. I suggest you come early, on a cool day and wear hiking boots. I really enjoyed crossing the high bridge over looking the water here. I will admit I had to adjust to the height but it was very scenic. I plan to return again next weekend and do a few more miles.

Cox Mountain Trail
Jacqueline T.

We came to hike at this state park when we were in the triangle area for the weekend. It's about 40 minutes from Raleigh and 15 minutes from Durham. We came here after hiking at Occoneechee Mountain since it's only 15 minutes away and both hikes were on the shorter side. This park was a little underwhelming to me. We did the Cox Mountain Trail which was 3.8 miles. It climbs up for the first part, but there's no overlook. Then most of it is just along the river and not very exciting. My favorite part was the cool bridge that crosses the river. If you're local, I would definitely come here to get outside. For an out of towner, I'm not sure it's really worth it.

Sky T.

Eno River is a great place for trail running that goes along the river that has nice variety of woodland plants and animals. I was able to get some pretty good nature shots from my time here. The Cox Mountain Trail is about 4 miles round trip and is perfect for a workout. It's usually not too crowded compared to some of the other parks so parking isn't a hassle. Overall, a nice park worth visiting at least once.

Logan L.

Such pretty State Park. My friends and I went here with our NC state park passport books. Such a nice hike, we almost walked 5 miles.

Beautiful views
Rebecca S.

Love this park and if you get there early like I did it is quiet and peaceful. I only did the yellow marked hike but I plan to come back often as it is very shaded. Beautiful walk taking the water as well where you see lots of turtles. Lots of people walking in while I was walking back so I assume this place stays pretty busy. I will be coming back here quite often in the future!

Jonathan B.

With the rain from earlier in the days settling down just enough, I got a good 1.5 mile hike in by stringing a few walks (and stumbles) together here along the river. Not far from the visitor center you can encounter the water's edge. Despite the insane amount of mud and standing water, I walked along the shore line to see some small rapids, then back the opposite direction to the swinging bridge. Albeit, it was more of a bouncing bridge. On the other side of the bridge after a short hike there is one large campground that can be rented for a large group or family for $40-50 per day. Quite steep in my opinion for what it is. But I suppose on the other hand it would be quite affordable and comfy for a group of six. Nearby is an old cabin which seemed far preferable as a campsite considering the day's rain. Park staff was very friendly and helpful. Yet another empty park in the cold air of autumn. Not to mention the rain. Still worth a visit and basically IN the RDU area.

Phil W.

Great place to walk your dog. Well maintained trails and convenient parking. My dog digs it.

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16 years ago

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11 years ago

This place was awesome!! It's so big and there's so much to see!! My pup loved it! I just wish the directions were a bit more clear.

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6 years ago

One of our best local resources and a great example of how public funds can be spent right.

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8 years ago

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15 years ago

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13 years ago

Love walking around this gorgeous river. Definitely one of the nicest outdoor spaces around the triangle.

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10 years ago

Awesome walking trails plus the rock quarry is gorgeous.. Definitely a great place to relax

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10 years ago

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15 years ago

Durham's little treasure trove. The best thing about living here. Go on a weekday and you'll be even happier. Lots to explore and discover.

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15 years ago

Our dogs absolutely love this park. We are so fortunate to have such easy access from Raleigh, Durham and Hillsborough.

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7 years ago

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13 years ago

Beautiful place to take a stroll on a weekend afternoon. I only wish there were more trails!

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9 years ago

Fantastic trails, beautiful scenery and lots of access points that are close to downtown Durham. Great for kids and adults.

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Review Highlights - Eno River State Park

“We did the Cox Mountain trail and everything was clearly marked with the colored trail markers and signs.”

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William B Umstead State Park - Pott's Branch Trail, orange diamond. Well marked trail! - December 2025

William B Umstead State Park

4.6(185 reviews)
19.3 mi

I came across William B Umstead State Park while staying in a nearby hotel for business. I am…read morealways looking for somewhere peaceful to walk or run when I have the time and so happy to have found this park nearby. I came to find out that the park covers thousands of acres and has all kinds of trails. The entrance I utilized on foot required my constant attention after crossing over the interstate as the sidewalk vanishes and I had to make sure I was on the shoulder to make sure I didn't get squished by cars going into and out of the park. It wasn't that difficult but be aware if you are entering the park on foot from the nearby SAS campus (of which I understand Umstead along with a friend started). There's lots of parking from this entrance and a few trails to choose from. I took the Loblolly trail from the Reedy Creek entrance. It is fairly long at around 7 miles out. It's not a loop. I did about a mile and a quarter of the trail and it was awesome. All covered with a tree canopy the trail is well marked and maintained. It ranged from gravel to vines and rocks to bare dirt. Great scenery and very peaceful. There's enough room to pass other walkers and hikers. I really enjoyed this park. I want to explore it more if I'm in the area again as I had time constraints. I highly recommend this well maintained park and will visit again. Nothing quite like a good walk in nature. Enjoy!

Wonderful trails for biking, hiking, walking (and also some trails are sign-posted to allow…read morehorses). Not crowded. Miles & miles of trails. Picnic tables and pavilions. Creeks and streams. Lakes and ponds. Boating. BE AWARE of closed trails, bridges, etc...stop by the park office AND check the website for closures.

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William B Umstead State Park
William B Umstead State Park
William B Umstead State Park

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Duke Forest, Korstian Division

Duke Forest, Korstian Division

4.6(9 reviews)
6.1 mi

Basically, the Duke Forest is amazing and one of those local gems that I believe is largely…read moreoverlooked or taken for granted by most in the Triangle. However, that's probably not a bad thing. Who wants super crowded trails anyway? But seriously, the Duke Forest is one of a kind. There are a ton of different trailheads, largely in the Durham and Korstian (Chapel Hill) divisions. I do believe there are 40+ separate entrances into the six total divisions of the forest, and that is simply amazing! In order to obtain a detailed map, you'll need to purchase one (at a nominal fee of something like $8) either on-line or by the mail through the Duke Forest website. I have also heard you can purchase the maps at some spots on Duke's campus (ie, the bookstore), though I can't exactly speak to that myself. Many of the primary trails are wide, gravelly bridle type trails, but there are also numerous more technical (ie, roots, rocks, stream crossings, single-track terrain) trails that mostly shoot off of main trails. Single sections of trails are often not super long (ie 1-1.5 miles) and thus you may need to patch together different trails if you wanted to have a longer walk, hike, or run (this sometimes entails traversing a road or walking along a road shoulder for a short time). In my no way expert opinion, the Korstian division offers the best trailage overall, especially the newer foot trails being rehabilitated and restored under the Korstian Trail Project. That effort brings me to the fact that this huge tract of land is a valuable research and teaching tool for Duke University students and faculty (as well as visiting students and faculty), and thus should be treasured (not to sound cheesy) and respected. Stepping down from my small soapbox, let me just say that the Duke Forest is phenomenal and even more amazing given the fact that this natural oasis is located so very close to the hustle and bustle of the Triangle.

Awesome trails, well marked, a great workout, lots of beautiful nature! I love hiking near water,…read moreand this has a gently and rocky creek. There's parking along the side of Mt Sinai rd. It was very quiet on a Saturday morning. A lovely hike that was a loop.

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Duke Forest, Korstian Division
Duke Forest, Korstian Division
Duke Forest, Korstian Division

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Saxapahaw Island Park - Haw River

Saxapahaw Island Park

4.8(15 reviews)
19.8 mi

For all the Triad parks we visited in 2020 (earning the Yelpie for Explorer of the Year,) this one…read moreis our favorite yet by far! It took a bit of travel for us, slightly over an hour each way, but it was worth it! The grounds here, the trail, the surrounding river, and the playground all make for the perfect day for kids and their parents, too! The nature trail is packed well and overall very stroller-friendly, with shortcuts in case you need to cut your walk short. There are also lots of great vantage points to sit for a moment and take in the scenery, if your kids will afford you that luxury. As for the playground, this is one to remember. It is so unique, constructed out of wood and fitting right in with the natural vibe of the surrounding woods. And the added bonus is listening to the flowing current nearby while your young ones enjoy going down the fish slide, swinging, and building a fort with bamboo. Also a lot of good spots for bird watching here! Be sure not to miss the part of the trail by the gravel parking lot. That takes you to the waterfall area, and there's a spot with 4 hammocks rigged up for kicking back and enjoying! Make a plan to come visit this place on a warm, sunny day. If you like nature, you and your family will love this! And if you are a history buff, interested in environmental conservatism, or a homeschool parent, this area is a good experience and opportunity to learn about the Saxapahaw/Sissipahaw natives' life on the Haw River and the development of the hydro mill as a source of energy. This area checks boxes for spiritual wellness, educational opportunity, and physical exercise as well. Aside of that, just fun and enjoyable!

Easy trail around the island with nice river views. Good for beginners but lots of rocks and tree…read moreroots on the path.

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Saxapahaw Island Park - Haw River

Haw River

Saxapahaw Island Park - Haw River

Haw River

Saxapahaw Island Park - Vegetation

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Vegetation

Fantasy Lake Adventure Park - Inflatables

Fantasy Lake Adventure Park

4.0(25 reviews)
34.4 mi

I have been wanting to go to Fantasy Lake since last year and I finally got to go…read more We reserved a 2 hour slot and got there 25mins before our start time to get changed and settled. The obstacle course is really fun for both kids and adults. The slides were my favorite part. They also have scuba diving on the end side of the lake. The only negative I will call out is that they don't have a water fountain or a filling station. I get that they allow outside food and drinks but for an outdoor water park, having a water fountain/filling station is a bare minimum.

A couple of staff members were unnecessarily rude to me, my girlfriend, and our child during our…read morevisit. At one point, a blonde female staff member approached my girlfriend in a very confrontational manner while we were simply saying goodbye to family members on the dock without wearing life jackets. We understood the life-jacket policy, but the way the situation was handled was disrespectful and could have been communicated much more professionally. Later, as we were leaving, we initially walked up one side of the ramp. We had already washed the sand off our feet and changed, so we did not want to walk back through the sand, get dirty again, and have to wait in line to rinse off a second time. We walked back down so we could leave through the other side. A young blonde male staff member stopped us simply to tell us that we could not be on the dock without life jackets, and his tone was extremely rude. I explained that we were aware of the rules and were only trying to leave through the other side because we had already cleaned the sand off and did not want to go back through the rinse line. Instead of simply acknowledging that and allowing us to leave, he continued to speak to me and my family in a disrespectful and unprofessional manner. What made the situation even more frustrating was that two older women were standing at the end of the same dock without life jackets, and neither staff member addressed them. That inconsistency made us feel singled out and raised concerns about whether the rules were being enforced equally for all guests. This business needs to take a serious look at its staffing and customer-service expectations. Some employees appeared to lack the communication skills necessary to interact appropriately with customers. We also encountered staff members who were not welcoming upon arrival, appeared disengaged in their responsibilities, and created the impression that certain guests or demographics were being treated differently than others. I am not normally someone who leaves negative reviews for businesses, but this was one of the most disappointing staff experiences I have encountered. Families should be able to visit, follow the rules, and still be treated with basic courtesy and respect. Based on our experience, I would not recommend bringing my family back.

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Fantasy Lake Adventure Park
Fantasy Lake Adventure Park
Fantasy Lake Adventure Park

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Little River Lake Boat Rental - Sunset paddling

Little River Lake Boat Rental

1.0(1 review)
8.3 mi

I had a traumatic experience here with one of the Durham County employees. As a minority, I'm used…read moreto unpleasant treatment just because of my culture and my race. However, my day was completely ruined by one of the employees here. I am adding this business to Yelp and posting to warn other minorities to avoid this place unless you are feeling strong enough to stomach significant verbal harassment. My two friends and I came here to rent a boat at around 3pm. I walk up to the boat house. I smile and say hi. The man ignores me. I repeat my greeting, except louder. He looks up and stoically stares at me. I smile again and say hi. He says, "What do YOU want?" I was startled by his unprovoked hostility and so confused by its suddenness that I didn't think to make a remark about his attitude. "I think I want a boat. I'm going fishing for the first time and it's my first time here so I don't know what vessels are offered or what is best for fishing." He stares at me, raises his voice and says, "You THINK you want a boat? Have you done this before?" I smile and contemplate his meaning since I had provided sufficient information to answer the question he had just posed. Before I can respond, he says, "maybe you shouldn't be here. This ain't no laughing matter. I don't think you should be out on the water." There were some more choice comments from this gentleman, which I will omit. Eventually, I get a row boat, try to forget what happened and try to catch some fish. We return empty handed to the dock at 6:02pm, right after another pair of anglers who dock about 15 seconds ahead of us. While unloading our boat, I see the old man waiting at the end of the dock. Sure enough, he scolds me in front of my two friends for being late. I sincerely apologize to him and rush to return the oars and our life vests to the boat house, but he steps in my path and continues to verbally berate me for 10-15 more minutes. I know I was wrong to be late, but I gave a sincere apology and is 2 minutes really that bad? At one point, he threatens that next time he will call the police if we are late because he will assume that we are trying to steal the boat. (That makes a lot of sense, since trading a car that we left in the parking lot for a moldy boat is a sensible idea.) And the other two guys? He doesn't say anything to them. They also happen to be the same race as this elderly, African-American gentleman who told me his name is "Chris" (although he may have been lying). I only mention his ethnicity I was told me there is a Caucasian man who also works here and is very friendly. I don't know either's name for certain. Anyway, I really don't get why this guy hated us so much. I wish this guy would just retire so I can come back and get revenge on those slippery fish. Update: Turns out he lied to me about his name. On the receipt he signed for my boat rental, he wrote "T.J."

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Little River Lake Boat Rental
Little River Lake Boat Rental
Little River Lake Boat Rental

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Eno River State Park - parks - Updated November 2026

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