Waterways & Water Activities
Waterways
Ellerbe Creek Watershed Urban Nature Reserves
Ellerbe Creek is one of several watershed that cross Durham. From its headwater at Cole Mill Road until it empties into Falls Lake, it is being restored by the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association including several urban nature preserves with hiking trails and wetlands. It passes through or by many of Durham's visitor features including Bennett Place State Historic Site, Croasdale and Hillandale Golf Courses, Duke Homestead, the Ninth Street District and Duke East Campus and the Museum of Life and Science. Pearl Mill Preserve can be accessed just west of Markham and Rand Street. 17-Acre Wood Preserve can be accessed at Albany Street just south of Indian Trail. Glennstone Preserve can be accessed at off Glennstone Drive off Glenn Road (turn right on Glennstone Drive off Glen Road and park at the pagoda next to the Stormwater detention pond and look for the kiosk where there are trail maps). [ more info ]
Eno River State Park
State park with five access areas in Durham and Orange counties. Enjoy bird-watching, canoeing/rafting, fishing, hiking, and picnic shelters within 3,900 acres of secluded wilderness along the banks of the Eno River. [ more info ]
Natural area for boating/sailing, mild whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, and rockhounding. [ more info ]
Five impoundment areas ranging from 50 to 2,000 acres providing habitats for waterfowl, including ducks and Canadian geese. Bird-watching (duck-hunting, Dec-Jan). [ more info ]
Picnic area/shelters, hiking trails, primitive camping, bird-watching, and rockhounding. Park access is free; fee for camping, boating, and fishing. [ more info ]
Recreational area offering bank fishing, motor and rowboat rentals. Fee charged for boating and fishing. Privately-owned boats not permitted. [ more info ]
Little River Regional Park & Natural Area
391-acre park and natural area developed from tobacco farmland. Historic barns, houses, and sheds now serve as picnic shelters, information centers, and landmarks accompanying the more than 15 miles of walking, hiking, mountain-biking, and horseback-riding trails. Playground, wildlife, bird-watching, picnicking, and rockhounding. [ more info ]
Meandering waterway through parts of Duke Forest home to local wildlife. Offers paddling, bird-watching, and hiking. [ more info ]
Rolling View State Recreation Area at Falls Lake
Bird-watching, boating/sailing, boat launches, recreational activities, swimming, beaches, water skiing, windsurfing, as well as 115 tent & trailer campsites. See website for reservations and fees. [ more info ]
Located along the Eno River, the park features a reconstructed 1778 working grist mill with cornmeal for sale, the historic McCown-Mangum House dating to the mid-1800s, the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography, hiking trails, and amphitheater. [ more info ]
