Campsites:
There are 13 backcountry camp sites at Eno River State Park. Three group sites, by reservation only and ten individual or small group sites (no reservations, taken on a first arrival basis).
Group camping:
Cox Mountain Group Camp: This site, off the Cox Mountain Trail, is on a knoll above the river. It is available by reservation only to a minimum of 6 and maximum of 26 people. There are four 15'x15' and one 15'x10' tent pads, 4 picnic tables, and 2 fire rings with grills and benches. There is one pit toilet for this site. All supplies must be packed in. It is a 3/8 mile hike to the closest parking lot.
Buckquarter Creek Group Camp: Two sites off the Ridge Trail are at the junction of Buckquarter and Martin Cabin Creek. They are available by reservation only and each hold a minimum of six and a maximum of 15 people. They are about 40 yards apart and a group larger than 15 may reserve both sites. Each site has three 15'x15' tent pads, a fire ring with a grill and benches, and three picnic tables. All supplies must be packed in. It is a 1.2 mile hike from the closest parking lot. A single pit toilet is shared by both campsites.
Group Camp Fees: The cost is $1 per person per night with a $9 minimum per night. A deposit of $9 is due with the reservation application. The deposit is non-refundable but is transferable up to two days before the reservation period.
Reservation forms are available from the Eno River State Park office or from the menu to the left from the 'Forms and Permits' link. Check with the park office for available dates.
Small group / individual sites:
These sites are in two campgrounds. Sites 1-5 are in the Fanny’s Ford campground inside the Fanny’s Ford Trail loop on a small hill above the river. Sites 6-10 are in the Piper Creek campground off the Bobbitt Hole Trail and near Bobbitt Hole. Sites are in the same vicinity but not next to each other. The cost is $9 per night per campsite. Permits for these sites are issued at the park office and only on the day of arrival. Each site has a tent pad. Site tent pads are approximately 240 square feet and accommodate up to 6 people. Each site has a fire ring. A pit toilet serves each campground. All supplies must be packed in. It is a 1 mile hike from the Fews Ford campsite parking lot to the Fanny’s Ford campground. It is a 1.2 mile hike from the Cole Mill parking lot to the Piper Creek Campground.
General Information
Registration for all campsites is at the park office. Staff registers campers when the office is open. A self registration station is available on the office deck when staff are unavailable. Follow the steps posted on the bulletin board for self registration. Exact change is necessary for self registration. Make checks out to the Treasurer of North Carolina. All campers must be accompanied by someone at least 18 years old. Group campers should check in even if their deposit covers their fee.
Camp in the designated campsites only, nowhere else in the park.
Fires are permitted only in fire places in the campgrounds and picnic areas, nowhere else in the park. Cooking on the trail must be on a camp stove. Split firewood is often provided at campgrounds. Check ahead regarding wood availability. Campers may collect dead and down firewood anywhere within sight of the campsites. Do not leave fires unattended.
Water is available at the Fews Ford and Cole Mill Picnic Areas. Any natural water collected should be properly treated before consumption. Potable water is not available at the campsites nor are natural waters tested for consumption.
Tents must be pitched and fit on the provided pads.
Parking for the Fanny’s Ford and Cox Mountain group sites is available in the designated campsite parking lot at Fews Ford Access. Leaving the park office, turn right on Cole Mill Road. Take the first left which is a gravel road, then the next left into the parking lot. This lot is the shortest hike to the campsites. Parking for the Buckquarter Creek group sites is at the Piper-Cox Museum. Parking for the Piper Creek Campground is at the Cole Mill picnic area. Place a note on the dash of all cars registered to the campsites indicating “camping” and the overnight dates. Park office staff can provide these notes.
Trash must be packed out. Litter laws are strictly enforced!
Not Permitted: Alcoholic beverages, guns, bows, hunting, fireworks. For a complete list of N.C. State Park regulations, check with the park office.
Quiet Hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. Be respectful of your neighbors.
Backpacking Between Campgrounds: For treks between campgrounds be mindful that there is private property along the river. Permission must be granted by private land owners to cross their property. The park map indicates which sections are not park. Be respectful of private property rights and trespassing laws. If hiking along a road be safe and hike off the road, on the left shoulder to see oncoming traffic, and wear bright clothing.
Emergency Information
Cellular telephones or pay telephone on the park office deck
(919) 383-1686 – Park Office: Park Rangers are your closest and swiftest response for medical, law enforcement, lost person, or fire emergencies.
Or
After hours or if no one is at the park office call 911. Tell them you are camping at either the Fews Ford Access (Fanny’s Ford and Group Camp) or Cole Mill Access (Piper Creek) of Eno River State Park in Orange County. With cellular telephones 911 does not always get the county you are in. Tell the communicator to send help and to contact the Eno River State Park Rangers. Emergency personnel will have difficulty finding you and usually need park rangers to get them to your location.
The park gate is locked during closed hours. For emergency use only office staff will provide the gate lock combination to registered campers.
Park hours:
Select "Hours of Operation" from the menu on the left.
Parking outside the gate or entering the park during closed hours is not permitted.