Durant Nature Preserve

Use the north parking lot at 8305 Camp Durant Road for the park office and the primary public visit. Park only in designated spaces. Campbell Lodge has a separate address at 3237 Spottswood Street and should not be used as a shortcut to the preserve's main lake, playground, restroom, or trail facilities.

From the north parking lot, begin at the large orange gate and follow the dirt-and-gravel path approximately 200 yards. This walk leads toward the public restrooms and the area containing the 12-acre lake, playground, open field, picnic shelters, and trailheads. There is no general visitor vehicle access down that path.

Public restrooms are about 200 yards down the dirt-and-gravel path that starts at the big orange gate in the north parking lot. They are not beside your parked vehicle or inside the office entrance, so allow time for the walk and handle urgent restroom needs before unloading extensive picnic or play gear.

The preserve opens daily at 7 a.m. Closing changes by month: 6 p.m. January, 6:30 February, 7 March, 8 April, 8:30 May, 9 June-July, 8:30 August, 8 September, 7 October, and 5:30 November-December. The office has much shorter hours: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Yes. General entry, parking, trails, playground use, gardens, and designated fishing access are free. Discovery Backpacks are loaned free during office hours. Registered programs and rentals such as shelters, Campbell Lodge, or the campfire circle may charge and require confirmation.

Expect a meaningful surface challenge between the north lot and the main facilities: the City describes an approximately 200-yard dirt-and-gravel walk to the restrooms, lake, playground, and shelters. Natural trails add roots, grades, and weather effects. Contact the preserve before a visit that depends on a specific accessible route or program accommodation.

Five miles of mostly natural-surface trails cross streams, hardwood and pine forest, wetlands, wildflowers, ferns, and the edges of two lakes. Maps are available at the office and posted at major intersections. Wear closed-toe footwear, choose a route before starting, and expect mud or roots after wet weather.

Yes. Stream and stormwater work closes a portion of Border Trail and can cause temporary single-lane traffic near Spottswood and Welborn streets. Other trails remain available unless separately posted. Follow onsite detours and check Raleigh Parks Alerts before relying on Border Trail for a loop.

Yes, in designated areas at the preserve's lakes under current North Carolina fishing rules. Personal boats and swimming are prohibited. Bring your own basic supplies unless you have confirmed a current loaner option, and supervise children closely around docks, banks, and changing water conditions.

Only on designated bike trails and only when those surfaces are open and dry. Call the park office at 919-996-2271 for current bike-trail status. Do not ride hiking-only routes or use wet trails, and expect construction to alter part of the Border Trail area.

The nature-oriented playground serves ages 2-12 and uses a woodchip surface. It sits near the 12-acre lake, open playfield, public restrooms, picnic shelters, and trailheads, about a 200-yard walk from the north parking lot. It is not a drive-up playground, so pack gear you can comfortably carry.

Yes, but pets must remain restrained on a leash no longer than six feet. Stay on designated trails and remove waste. Dogs are not an exception to preserve rules protecting plants, wildlife, wetlands, and other visitors, and they should not enter the lakes.

Yes. The park office lends free backpacks focused on ponds, insects, birds, animal tracking, or nature art during office hours, currently 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Availability is first-come, so call ahead when a backpack is central to your visit and return it before the office closes.