Parks and trails in Durham

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR).

Durham Parks and Recreation runs 66 parks on more than 1,600 acres, with more than 50 playgrounds and over 30 miles of multi-use trails and greenways, all free to use. This fall several are affected by the drought and by construction: check the closures below before you go.

Who to call

• Durham Parks and Recreation: 919-560-4355, 400 Cleveland St.
• Event and lake weather line: 919-560-4636
• Illegal activity in a park: 911
• Find a park by feature: DPR facilities search

Closures and changes this fall

• Drought: Durham moved into Stage 2 water restrictions on June 15 because of extreme drought, and DPR closed all spraygrounds until the restrictions are lifted.
• Lake Michie Park and Marina has been closed to all activities since June 5 because of low water.
• West Point on the Eno, 5101 N. Roxboro St., closed in mid-September for more than 180 days for accessibility, parking and path upgrades. No vehicles or pedestrians are allowed. The Environmental Education Pavilion at 5253 N. Roxboro St., just north, stays open and hosts DPR’s programs.
• Ellerbe Creek Trail: the section between Green Street and W. Knox Street is closed for bridge repairs until late December 2026, and the South Ellerbe Trail is closed around the stream restoration work through December 2027, with a detour on Markham Avenue and Washington Street.
• Tennis: the courts at Morreene Road Park reopened Oct. 8; Rock Quarry Park’s courts closed Sept. 24 for lighting work.
• Winter: DPR shuts off park restrooms, drinking fountains and irrigation that could freeze by mid-November. Restrooms at a set of high-use parks have been upgraded to stay open year-round except in extreme cold.

Trails and greenways

From DPR’s trails and greenways page:

• American Tobacco Trail: a 10-foot-wide paved trail on the old CSX railroad. The Durham section starts at Morehead and Blackwell streets downtown and runs to the Chatham County line, 3,000 feet south of Scott King Road, on the way to Jordan Lake. Restrooms are at Elmira, Solite and C.M. Herndon parks. Keep under 10 mph.
• Durham Rail Trail: a 1.8-mile trail on an unused Norfolk Southern rail bed from North Durham to downtown, with views over the South Ellerbe stormwater project.
• Other greenways: the North/South Greenway, the New Hope Creek Greenway and the Pearsontown-Rocky Creek Greenway.

The city’s Bike and Hike Map shows them all. The Durham Police Department’s trail safety tips note that parks and trails normally open at sunrise and close at dusk or 10 p.m.; pass on the left with a bell or a call, and keep dogs leashed.

Dog parks

DPR runs four dog parks: the Downtown Durham Dog Park, the PetSafe Dog Park at Duke Park, Piney Wood Dog Park and Rock Quarry Dog Park. Every dog needs an annual DPR tag, good at all four from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31:

Dogs need current rabies and distemper/parvo vaccinations and a negative fecal exam, and must wear the tag in the park. Register online.

Lakes

The city’s two lakes, water-supply reservoirs, open Friday through Monday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., in season, with fees for use:

• Little River Lake: season March 13 to Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.
• Lake Michie: season April 17 to Nov. 9, but closed since June 5 for low water.

Sign up for lake alerts by text or email.

Picnic shelters and events

Many parks rent picnic shelters, athletic fields and event fields through DPR’s rentals page. Camping is allowed only at designated, approved sites. Durham Central Park, downtown at 501 Foster St., is run by the nonprofit Durham Central Park Inc. and hosts the Saturday farmers market and many festivals.

What this means for you

• Hiking at West Point on the Eno this fall? It is closed; the Environmental Education Pavilion next door is open.
• No spraygrounds or Lake Michie until the drought eases.
• The American Tobacco Trail’s Durham section starts downtown at Morehead and Blackwell streets.

More: farmers markets, things to do this month and getting around Durham.

Frequently asked questions

How many parks does Durham have?

Durham Parks and Recreation runs 66 parks on more than 1,600 acres, with more than 50 playgrounds and over 30 miles of multi-use trails and greenways.

Where does the American Tobacco Trail start in Durham?

The Durham section begins at Morehead and Blackwell streets downtown and runs south to the Chatham County line, 3,000 feet south of Scott King Road. It is paved and 10 feet wide, with restrooms at Elmira, Solite and C.M. Herndon parks.

Is West Point on the Eno open?

No. The park at 5101 N. Roxboro St. closed in mid-September for accessibility and parking upgrades expected to take more than 180 days. The Environmental Education Pavilion just north of it stays open.

How do I use a Durham dog park?

Every dog needs an annual Durham Parks and Recreation dog park tag, good at all four city dog parks. For city residents it costs $17 for the first dog and $15 for each additional dog, with proof of required vaccinations.

Are Durham’s spraygrounds open?

The city closed all spraygrounds on June 15, when Durham moved into Stage 2 water restrictions for extreme drought, until the restrictions are lifted.