COVID-19 information for parks under phase 3
Posted on: Monday, October 5, 2020 - 2:12pm |
Activities
Weekend delays: Due to increased visitation, several parks are reaching parking space capacity and are having to close temporarily on weekends to incoming traffic. As we move into fall leaf season, please be prepared by arriving early morning or late afternoon on weekends and having a backup plan in case the parking areas are full when you arrive. Weekdays are the best time to visit our parks if you want to avoid parking closures and crowds.
All accesses at Eno River State Park are operating under normal hours. Trails and restrooms are open. The restrooms close regularly throughout the day for cleaning and sanitizing; entry will be prohibited during this time.
The park office is open from Monday to Friday, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both the nose and the mouth, is required to enter the office.
Picnic shelters can be used on a casual, first-come, first-served basis; they cannot be reserved at this time. All water fountains and hydrants are off; please be prepared and bring filled, reusable water bottles.
Tent campsites and group campsites are open. Reservations are required and can be made online or by calling Aspira at 1-877-722-6762.
Visitors should make their visits brief and focus on moving through the park without stopping any place where multiple people may be in one area. Please observe social distancing and bring a mask or face covering with you, so that you can use it when you are unable to be 6 feet from other people.
Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of October 3, we are following modified Phase 3.
Last updated on: Monday, October 5, 2020The Pea Creek Trail (trailhead located at the Cole Mill access) is closed until further notice. Due to recent storms, erosion has undercut steps, put deep holes into the trail, and significantly damaged the trail. Do Not Enter From Any Access.
Last updated on: Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Contact the park
919-383-1686
eno.river@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Fews Ford access
and park office
6101 Cole Mill Road
Durham, NC 27705
GPS: 36.0783, -79.0050
Cabelands access
4950 Howe St.
Durham, NC 27705
GPS: 36.0400, -78.9888
Cole Mill access
4390 Old Cole Mill Road
Durham, NC 27712
GPS: 36.0599, -78.9804
Pleasant Green access
4770 Pleasant Green Road
Durham, NC 27705
GPS: 36.0459, -79.0115
Pump Station access
4023 Rivermont Road
Durham, NC 27712
GPS: 36.0594, -78.9652
Hours
►
- December to February:
7:00am to 7:00pm
- March to April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- November:
7:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- December to February:
7:30am to 6:30pm
- March to April:
7:30am to 8:30pm
- May to September:
7:30am to 9:30pm
- October:
7:30am to 8:30pm
- November:
7:30am to 7:30pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- December to February:
8:30am to 5:30pm
- March to April:
8:30am to 7:30pm
- May to September:
8:30am to 8:30pm
- October:
8:30am to 7:30pm
- November:
8:30am to 6:30pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- November to February:
Monday to Friday:
8:30am to 4:30pm
Saturday to Sunday:
9:00am to 5:00pm
- March to October:
Monday to Thursday:
8:30am to 4:30pm
Friday:
8:30am to 8:00pm
Saturday to Sunday:
9:00am to 5:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
Things to do
Hiking
The park is a great place for a hike! See the Trails page for more information.
Paddling
Travel the Eno River by canoe or kayak passing through rolling hills and deep forest. Canoeing is usually difficult due to shallow water but is great fun right after a rain which raises the water level creating class I, II, and III rapids. Levels are measured from gauges painted on road bridges and the Durham station USGS river gauge which can be viewed on the internet. Optimal canoeing is 1 to 3 feet on the bridge gauges and 3 to 5 feet on the USGS gauge. Below these levels requires some portaging. Above these levels is dangerous. Personal flotation devices should always be worn.
The best rapids are between Highway 70 Bypass in Hillsborough and Roxboro Road in Durham. The river continues at a slower pace from there down stream to Falls Lake. Canoe accesses are located in several areas of the park. Please respect the rights of private landowners along the river.
Fishing
Wet your line in one of the best fishing streams in the Neuse River Basin. The Eno is a great place for fly-fishing, casting lures, or baiting with the ever reliable worms and crickets. Most of the river can be waded and there are many openings for bank fishing. Commonly caught game fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and the feisty Roanoke bass. Roanoke bass, locally know as "red-eye" are found in only four river drainages in northeastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Chubs and bullheads add to the fishing fun. All North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission fishing regulations are enforced.
Occoneechee Mountain, a nearby state natural area that is a administered by Eno River State Park, also offers fishing.
Picnicking
Two picnic areas provide the perfect spot for enjoying a meal in the open air. One of the picnic grounds is located in the Fews Ford access area, adjacent to the parking lot. Fews Ford has 20 picnic sites, 10 of which are handicapped accessible. An accessible water fountain and restrooms are nearby. A 12-table picnic shelter with a fireplace and grill is also accessible and can be reserved for a fee. The Cole Mill picnic area, nestled in a wooded setting, includes 10 tables and four grills with drinking water and restrooms nearby. A group picnic area includes three tables and grill. Cole Mill also has two wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and an accessible picnic shelter with eight tables and a grill. The shelter may be reserved for a modest fee.
Park Maps and Brochures:
