Eno River State Park image

Eno River State Park

Tourist attraction State park

One of the Best Places To Visits in Orange County


Address

6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705, United States

Website

www.ncparks.gov

Contact

+1 984-250-1370

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (2.4K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: (Easter), 7 am to 7 pm, Hours might differ
  • Monday: 7 am to 7 pm
  • Tuesday: 7:30 am to 7 pm
  • Wednesday: 7 am to 7 pm
  • Thursday: 7 am to 7 pm
  • Friday: 7 am to 7 pm
  • Saturday: 7 am to 7 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: park (32) trails (24) river (21) bridge (16) water (14) great (14) trail (13) easy (11) nice (10) time (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jits08 1 year ago on Google
    What an awesome spot! This was our first time coming to this park. It's about an hour drive for us, but it was worth it! The park itself is easy enough to get to. As for parking, there are very limited spots- especially on the weekends when we went. If you're going, make sure to plan ahead, get there early to get a parking spot, and to avoid the crowds. There are many trails located here. We decided on the Cox Mountain Trail. It has a decent length of about 4 miles round trip, views of the river, a suspension bridge, as well as an old cabin! The trail was easy to follow. There are plenty of signs pointing the way for you to go, as well as marks on the trees. Super easy going and you never have to wonder if you went the right way. The route was easy enough, as trails go. We stopped a few times so the kids could play in the water and search for Crayfish. We're definitely coming back here to check out the other trails. I hear the Quarry is cool!
    11 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rebekah C. 9 months ago on Google
    This is my favorite NC State park!! I have been to 2/3 of them and continue to make the 3 hour trek from my home to Eno. I have camped at the primitive sites and always felt safe and accounted for. The trails are relatively easy to hike. The river can often be waxed across so long as you don’t mind the water going up to shoulders if there’s a lot of flow. This place is super family friendly. lots of nature like deer, birds, turtles, fish and the occasional snake. Plenty to explore like the historic buildings and the footbridge. This place is a gem and it’s easily accessible to the Triangle, I-85 & I-40. All the rangers I’ve met are great and helpful and the facilities are always clean. I can’t say enough wonderful things about this park!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Larissa K. 1 year ago on Google
    We like hiking as a family at Eno River. It has good hills and also lots of flat areas as well. If you don't want to do the full trail loop you can always go up and turn around. It's well marked and our kids always enjoy the suspension bridge.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 The White T-Shirt G. 1 year ago on Google
    With 5 entry points and almost 30 miles of trails this place has room for everyone. The water is shallow so canoeing and kayaking can be difficult. Check their calendar for events and activities. It's also great for camping and facilities are also reservable. Enjoy! 😊
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ankita K. 2 years ago on Google
    While it’s not the most awe inspiring park around, Eno River is nice. There’s plenty of parking and a spacious picnic area. The paths in the picnic area are paved which can help if a picnic is the only thing you’re here for. On the park itself, in the right light and weather, the river is beautiful. The sound of running water is rather calming. The hikes are easy to moderate and on the shorter side. The highlight for me was the suspension foot bridge. It’s not something found on a lot of hikes and it’s a unique experience.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Adam C. 2 years ago on Google
    Always a great place for the kids. If you go all the way to the end, then it’s a short trip to the suspension bridge. Remember to bring some water and maybe some snacks, but please take all your trash out. The hiking is moderate as family friendly trails go. It’s unpaved with roots and rocks and there some decent hills to climb. There is plenty of access to the slow moving river and it’s safe for young kids to play in as well - so bring th a thing suits and towels!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 M. K. 6 months ago on Google
    Today was the first time that my husband and I and our dog went to this park. I had never heard of it even though I've lived in North Carolina for over 15 years and within an hour of this park for 9 years. And luckily I saw it on the map as we were actually headed somewhere else. Such an amazing and beautiful park. The Ranger was very helpful with telling me how to get to a trail. They have a lovely swinging bridge and beautiful river that you can walk alongside. Dog friendly! Which is an absolute must anywhere we go. Beautiful tress, cool tree root formations and just an overall well kept, spacious park with lots of easy accessible trails and lots of shorter trails for people who can't do longer ones or for dogs that can't do longer ones. I did not see any doggy poo bags so make sure you bring your own! Loved it so much!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Chanchal 1 year ago on Google
    Felt wonderful during our unplanned stop at this park. Loved walking through Eno River Ped Bridge and it’s trails very well maintained. This park is for all ages. River flowing is shallow, liked walking on trails along with this river, green trails. This park has picnic benches, very cool shelters, Wilderness cabin, great parking area, restrooms. Great for camping. This park has other entrances too. Grab a map and decide which part of the park you would like to enjoy, I was at Fews Ford. Worth visiting.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michelle Fearon S. 1 year ago on Google
    We loved our visit to the gorgeous Eno River State Park. The trails were well-kept and clean, and the scenery was beautiful. We went to the Cox Mountain trail, where there was plenty of parking, picnic benches, and a trail head that went to the cool suspension bridge over the river. The trails beyond the picnic benches are not paved and may be less accessible to those that do not have sure footing.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Anika F. 2 years ago on Google
    Took the kids to Eno for the first time yesterday. Extremely easy to access the park off the highway. The parking, trail access and picnic areas were really nice and large. The kids had a blast playing in the river, enjoying natural currents and jumping off some logs in the water. The only negative I found was there's really nowhere to put your bags or water bottles close the the water. We put our things on dirt and had a lot to clean up when we left.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jonathan S. 7 months ago on Google
    This is probably my favorite park in all of North Carolina. The trails give everyone a chance to slow down and enjoy nature. You can fish along the river at spots like Bobbit's Hole, walk the trails, or reserve a primitive campsite of your choice. I really liked that the trails are of varied lengths. You could walk as little or as much as you want.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Moriah H. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful views. We hiked the Cox Mountain Trail, which was clearly blazed. The trail is rocky and several areas has a lot of roots, so wear proper foot gear. The park office staff were friendly and helpful, too!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Robin M. 1 year ago on Google
    It was a perfect fall Saturday Morning we decided to go on hike and had been wanting to check out Eno river state park. It was very easy to get to, we were trying to get to Holden Trail, but the google maps takes you to a private residence, so avoid that. Luckily we were very close to buckquarter creek trail. We found parking easily on the side of the road as the lot was full. The trail was very easy and scenic, a big creek with a good bit of folks there just for the creek itself and not a hike. It took roughly 30-40 minutes to complete. There was a path to go to Holden once we were 15 minutes in, but we decided to save for next time.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brooke G. 2 years ago on Google
    EPIC! I've photographed this couple in parts of the Eno River State Park twice now and the location couldn't be better! This spot is off the beaten path, and it has breathtaking foliage and natural growth. We will definitely be back! Maybe next time, we will go closer to the river itself! (Photos by Brooke Grogan Photography)
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David 2 years ago on Google
    Enjoyed this walk. Took the Cox Mountain trail. Got there about 7:30 and stayed until 10:45. Water was low enough to do a little Rock hopping. Want to go again to try different trails.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leann H. 2 years ago on Google
    Visiting family in the area and we decided to go for a hike here. It was a great workout but also manageable for my 5 and 9 year old. They took a dip in the water to cool off at some point too. Very scenic and some steep inclines if your knees are up for it lol! The park is beautiful and seems like a great spot to spend an afternoon. Definitely bring water and bug spray!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 HEONYOUNG K. 1 year ago on Google
    What a nice place. Staffs are so kind and they were willing to providing tourist information for us. We get there in summer time, and saw a lot of people were having fun in the water. I highly recommend visitors drop by the park office to get information.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 arman r. 11 months ago on Google
    One of the best place I ever visited. Nice trails. With a small stream where you can take a dip.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Victoria A. 2 years ago on Google
    My favorite park! So much to do here from hiking, hammocking, fording the river, bouldering, picnicking, swimming/wading, and general exploring! There's something for every skill level. The white water is my favorite, it's so relaxing. 😌
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Blanca P. 10 months ago on Google
    This park is really nice, you can go in the river in some areas. There is a fun suspension Bridge to crosse and many trails. The welcome building is new, ranger is very informative, bathrooms are nice and clean.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carolina G. 8 months ago on Google
    Amazing park. I didn't have to walk far to get to the bridge & cabin. It's practically right by parking, but far enough to feel like you're deep in the woods. Got some great photos, I will most definitely be back for another visit. This place is a photographer's dream. If you like nature & trails, you'll like this place. I went on a weekend, everyone was nice and let people take their turn photographing the bridge and cabin. The trails last for miles, if you like nature walks. This place put me at ease and it was a great experience. People were walking on the trails with their dogs, taking professional photos, smiling, and laughing. Highly recommend a visit, even if it's for a short walk. A lot of people were there with their family and kids. Finding the swinging bridge was a bit difficult, because there were no signs. However, I found a post that had a map you could take with you to know where everything was. I inevitably, started to follow a couple who clearly knew where they were going. Once I started walking on the trail, I could see the swinging bridge. I'll be back for another visit soon. Thanks for the great experience 😀
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Aliya A. 2 years ago on Google
    Great park with great trails! The suspension bridge is very cool, and the river is a sight to behold! Great park in the Triangle. I imagine it’s only prettier with warmer weather. This picture was taken in early March.

  • 5/5 HoonJung K. 2 years ago on Google
    It was so beautiful and wonderful park. Most of all, I really loved the birding bingo program at the park. Ashely showed us the hidden world below and above the park! We can find so many wonderful creature under her guide! It was unforgettable moment!! She was also a great model to show how to preserve and love the nature!!!

  • 5/5 Savanah L. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved it! The hike up from the river is just difficult enough to sweat and get heart rate pumping. The river is rocky in areas which is great for walking across and getting towards the middle of the river. Not buggy at all and we saw no snakes along the path. We will be back again and again!

  • 4/5 Somer S. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is SO COOL! I came here on a play date with my two toddlers, and it was simultaneously incredibly stressful and fantastically fun. I had to pry them away from this park, and they took the best nap of their lives after we left because they played so hard. I love that the water is reachable in certain places so they could toss in rocks and leaves, one of the greatest joys of childhood. With that being said here are the things I would mention to anyone planning to bring small children, so they can mentally prepare for the experience: The bridge is high, over water, it moves, and it is NOT enclosed so you are going to want to hand-hold anyone who is not a strong swimmer. The path to the bridge, and the bridge itself, is not designed for strollers so I wouldn't bother (even with my BOB) and it is fairly long so your child will need to be able to walk a good bit there and back. The trail past the bridge has parts that get pretty narrow and have significant drop offs without a railing, again great for older kids. Prepare your child (under age five) for frequent hand-holding, and babywear for anyone who isn't an adept walker. If possible, this park is best done when the parent is not outnumbered by children under the age of five. For the next few years it will make a great weekend park when dad can join.

  • 5/5 Catherine L. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice walking areas. Clean bathrooms and nice time with nature and my son. Not the Merced river in CA but nice time getting back to nature. Saw 3 turtles resting on a log and 1 snake swimming across the river. Will be back. Close to Durham.

  • 4/5 chaitali d. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is so cool …we went for the first time .. It has easy as well as difficult hikes …coz mountain hike is a bit long but the view is just wort…

  • 4/5 David R. 2 years ago on Google
    It's quite the drive from Wilson; but, none the less, the few times we have been there, each trip was tranquil/relaxing. I find the best part of the hike is being down by the river, sitting on a fallen tree or boulder. Benches are placed along the trail, just stop have a seat and take in the serenity of it all.

  • 5/5 Murray G. 7 months ago on Google
    There was a really nice person at the visitor center who helped us get our bearings. The suspension bridge across the river is right behind the center. There are many hiking trails that we will explore in future visits.


Call +1 984-250-1370 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Pets
    • ✓️ Dogs allowed
  • Activities
    • ✓️ Hiking
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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