ALL NORTH CAROLINA STATE PARKS: GENERAL STATUS OF FACILITIES AND GUIDELINES WHEN VISITING PARKS
Posted on: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 2:15pm |
Ecology
The 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, 2020Tent campsites are open for reservations as of May 22, with the exception of group campsites, which remain closed.
Fews Ford and Cole Mill accesses 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 picnic shelters are closed to promote social distancing. All water fountains and hydrants are off: please be prepared and bring filled, reusable water bottles.
Cabelands and Pleasant Green accesses are CLOSED at this time. Parking outside the gates and along the road is not permitted. You may not park on the road shoulder, block gates, or impede traffic and walk into the park from these accesses. Your vehicle will be subject to citation and or towing. Swimming is not permitted at the Eno Quarry at this time.
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. This is not the time to “hang out” at the park.
Last updated on: Wednesday, May 27, 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
Natural resources
In spite of urban development nearby, the woodlands of Eno River State Park are a peaceful haven. In the past farming and the timber industry took away much of the forest. Now the ridges, slopes, and flood plains are once again thick with vegetation. Oak, beech, poplar, maple, dogwood, pine, and hickory dominate the uplands. Sycamore, birch, and hornbeam shade the river banks.
Mountain laurel, Catawba rhododendron and ferns grow on the slopes and bluffs. Wildflowers bloom in the fields and forest from February through November. Vines such as greenbrier, grape, and trumpet flower are part of the backdrop of natural beauty at the park.
Plant communities along the river provide the perfect home for various animals. In the old fields you can find eastern cottontails and ground hogs. White-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, and oppossums feed on the fruits and seeds of the hardwood forest. Lucky visitors catch glimpses of chipmunks, otters, and possibly a bobcat.
Birds serenade everywhere in the park. The calls of the red-tailed hawk, barred owl, and crows mingle with the melodies of more than one-hundred kinds of song birds. Wood ducks, great blue herons, and belted kingfishers thrive around the river. Wild turkeys are often seen in the forest.
Beaver are one of the most intriguing animals in the park. This resourceful animal was almost killed off in North Carolina due to excessive trapping but is now back in many parts of the state. They are creatures of the night and seldom seen, but gnawed off stumps and tree trunks are tell-tale signs the beaver has been searching for food. The best times to see a beaver are at dusk or dawn at the river.
Learn more about water managment for the Eno River at the NC Division of Water Resoures website.
Park Maps and Brochures:
