Parks

Carrboro Parks

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100 North Greensboro St (Carrboro Century Center)
Carrboro, NC 27510

phone (919) 918-7364

Parks office hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm. Center's office hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm and during scheduled events. Both closed major holidays.

Parks are open daily, 7am to dark (lighted areas till 11pm). Athletic fields, meeting rooms, kitchen and pavilions are available for reservations, and a variety of programs and events are scheduled for all ages. The Cybrary in the Carrboro Century Center has five computer stations, books and periodicals.

Chapel Hill Greenways

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Various locations
Chapel Hill, NC NC

phone (919) 968-2784

Open daily from dawn to dusk.

Among the 11 separate trails in the 40-mile system, about 28 miles will have paved and natural surfaces. Nearly 10 miles have been completed to date. The trails allow easy access by pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as those on roller skates, rollerblades or skateboards and in wheelchairs or baby strollers.

Chapel Hill Parks

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200 Plant Rd (off East Franklin St)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 968-2784

Office hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm; closed major holidays.

Parks are open daily, dawn to dusk, with lighted areas (tennis and basketball courts), till 11pm. Facilities include the Community Center (see below), (919) 968-2790; Hargraves Center, (919) 968-2794; and Lincoln Center, (919) 968-2792. Parks include Burlington Park, Cedar Falls Park, Ephesus Park, Homestead Park, Jones Park, North Forest Hills Park, Oakwood Park, Phillips Park, Umstead Park and Westwood Park. Most activities free; some cost. Also, the Chapel Hill Greenways (see below).

Eno River State Park

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6101 Cole Mill Rd
Durham, NC 27705

phone (919) 383-1686

Open 8am-9pm (May-Aug); 8am-8pm (Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct); 8am-6pm (Nov, Feb); closed Christmas Day.

More than 4,000 acres of natural beauty along 14 miles of winding riverbanks. Wilderness areas feature hiking, back-country camping, fishing, canoe access, picnicking and nature programs. Three areas in Orange County are Cabelands (on Howe St off Sparger Rd), Fews Ford (Cole Mill Rd) and Pleasant Green (on Pleasant Green Rd). Parking. Pets allowed on leashes.

Johnston Mill Nature Preserve

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Mount Sinai Rd (off NC Highway 86)
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

phone (919) 833-3662

Open daily, dawn to dusk.

Located 1.1 miles east of NC Highway 86, with a parking area on the right just before New Hope Creek. Three miles of intimate hiking trails traverse this 296-acre sanctuary. Explore mature forests, discover historic mill sites and splash in bubbling creeks. Enjoy the wonders of nature just minutes from downtown Chapel Hill.

Little River Regional Park and Natural Area

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301 Little River Parkway
Rougemont, NC 27572

phone (919) 732-5505

Park is open seven days a week, 8am-5pm, plus extended seasonal hours.

Natural area of 391 acres has 7 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of separate mountain-bike trails, picnic shelters, playground, 1/4-mile ADA trail and restrooms. Straddling Orange and Durham Counties, the park entrance is off Guess Road northbound between St. Mary’s Rd and New Sharon Church Rd, 1.1 miles into Orange County on the right.

Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area

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Virginia Cates Rd (off Orange Grove Rd)
Hillsborough, NC

(919) 383-1686

Open May-Aug, 8am-9pm; Mar, Apr, Sep, Oct, 8am-8pm; Nov-Feb, 8am-6pm; closed Christmas Day.

Features 190 acres of natural beauty, three miles of trails and a couple of ponds for fishing. The mountain’s elevation at 867 ft., which overlooks the Eno River, is the highest point in Orange County. Parking. Pets allowed on leashes. Picnicking.

Orange County Parks

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300 West Tryon St
Hillsborough, NC 27278

phone (919) 245-2660

Office open Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm.

The department operates four recreational facilities with various features and activities: the Central Recreation Facility, Efland-Cheeks Park and Community Center, Homestead Community Center and the Northern Recreation Center. Plus the new Little River Regional Park (listed separately). In the Town of Hillsborough is Fairview Park with a playground and picnic area. Call the office for facility and program information.

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Did You Know?

The highest point in Orange County is the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area at 867 feet in Hillsborough. It is part of the Eno River State Park in two counties.