The Great Outdoors
Outdoor events at local state parks / Durham Parks and Recreation / skywatching sessions
ENO RIVER STATE PARK
6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, 984-250-1370, website:
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Bird Identification Hike at Cole Mill—Tuesday, September 10, 8:30–10:30am; learn how to identify local birds while on a 1.5-mile hike
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History Hike: Fanny Breeze—Wednesday, September 11, 3–4:30pm; join a 3-mile hike along Fanny’s Ford Trail and learn about Fanny Breeze, a formerly enslaved person and midwife
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Anthony Cole Homestead Hike—Thursday, September 12, 3–5:30pm; hike 2 miles to the Anthony Cole homestead and learn about the Cole family and their lives along the Eno, off Buckquarter Creek Trail
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Campfires 101—Saturday, September 14, 3:30–5pm; campfires are only allowed in the established fire rings in the park. Learn about fire safety, how to build a sustainable one for camping, and how to make sure it’s extinguished properly
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Sunset Stroll—Saturday, September 14, 7:30–9pm; join a 2-mile hike through the park. Don’t forget your portable light source
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Fantastic Foliage—Sunday, September 15, 9–10:15am; learn how to identify trees, plants, lichen, and more while on a 1.5-mile hike along the Eno River
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Paint the Eno: Water Coloring at Cole Mill—Sunday, September 15, 11:30am–1pm; hike for ½ mile to paint a scenic view using the provided watercolor pencils and river water
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National Cleanup Day—Tuesday, September 17, 3–5pm; volunteers are needed to tidy up the park. Trash bags and gloves will be provided
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Sounds of the Night—Tuesday, September 17, 7–8pm; find out what creatures come out at night and listen to the sounds they make. Don’t forget your portable light source
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Squirrel It Away—Wednesday, September 18, 2–3pm; join a 1-mile hike and learn about squirrels and how they store their winter treats
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Untitled Hike—Thursday, September 26, 3–5:30pm; join a 3-mile hike to a cemetery of enslaved people and learn how the system of slavery affected communities in the Eno River Valley
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Black Bear Bustle—Saturday, September 28, 9–10:30am; learn all about black bears and set out for a 1-mile hike during which you’ll learn more about black bear habitats
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Paint the Eno: Water Coloring at Fews Ford—Saturday, September 28, 11:30am–1pm; hike for ½ mile to paint a scenic view using the provided watercolor pencils and river water
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River Critter Rumble—Saturday, September 28, 3:30–5pm; join a 4-mile hike in search of the signs that beavers, river otters, and other mammals make their presence known
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Piper-Cox House Scavenger Hunt—Sunday, September 29, 3–4pm; explore the interior and exterior of this historic home and join in the self-guided scavenger hunt
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Sunset Stroll—Sunday, September 29, 7:30–9pm; join a 2-mile hike and see what critters emerge along the Eno River at nightfall.
These are free events; click here to register.
FALLS LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA
13304 Creedmoor Rd, Wake Forest, 919-676-1027, website:
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[TBA]
No special events have been scheduled at this time.
JORDAN LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA
280 State Park Rd, Apex, 919-362-0586, website:
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Whack Attack! Invasive Species Removal Workday—Saturday, October 10, 9:30am–12:30pm; volunteers are needed to identify and remove non-native plants. Feel free to bring your own loppers, hand pruners, work gloves, insect repellent, and water.
This is a free event; click here to register.
OCCONEECHEE MOUNTAIN STATE NATURAL AREA
625 Virginia Cates Rd, Hillsborough; managed by staff at the Eno River State Park Office, 6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, 984-250-1370, website:
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Shinrin Yoku Forest Journaling—Saturday, September 14, 10am–noon; join a 1-mile hike, with moments for enjoying solo reflection and meditation in the quarry and beside the river. Don’t forget your journal and pen/pencil
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Hot Snake Summer—Friday, September 20, 4–5pm; join a walk-and-talk about local snakes and reptiles.
These are free events; click here to register.
WILLIAM B UMSTEAD STATE PARK
8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, 984-867-8240, website:
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[TBA]
No special events have been scheduled at this time.
DURHAM PARKS AND RECREATION OUTDOOR EVENTS
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DPR will offer a West Point Park Tour at West Point on the Eno Park (5150 N Roxboro Rd) on Saturdays, 11am–2pm. See the West Point Mill, McCown-Mangum House, and the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography and learn about the people who lived, worked, and played in the area. Tours will start at the top of each hour; click here for more info.
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DPR will offer a West Point Park Tour at West Point on the Eno Park (5150 N Roxboro Rd) on Sundays, 11am–2pm. See the West Point Mill, McCown-Mangum House, and the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography and learn about the people who lived, worked, and played in the area. Tours will start at the top of each hour; click here for more info.
SKYWATCHING SESSIONS
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Views from The Durham—Monday, July 15, 9–11pm, on the roof of The Durham Hotel (315 E Chapel Hill St). Morehead Planetarium educators will host this skywatching session and encourage everyone to view the nighttime sky through one of their telescopes. This all-ages event is free; click here for more info..