Fort Macon State Park

Ashley and I also had the opportunity to visit and explore was Fort Macon State Park, near Emerald Isle North Carolina. Ashley and I both loved visiting Fort Macon and learning about the history of the fort during the Civil War and its use in World War II. The area surrounding the fort was newly renovated when we visited and it was very nice and we both highly recommend a visit to Fort Macon especially for history buffs.

Directions to Trailhead: Fort Macon State Park is located in Carteret County on the eastern end of Bogue Banks. From I-95, take US 70 east to Morehead City, and turn south on Atlantic Beach Causeway. Cross the bridge to Atlantic Beach, and turn left on NC 58. The fort is located at the tip of the island. For a map of the area click Here. For a specific map of the Fort Macon State Park click Here.

Description of Hike: This is not so much of a true hike, but is more of an outdoor adventure in Coastal North Carolina. There is currently no cost to enter and explore Fort Macon State Park. Visiting Fort Macon is well worth the visit and will take you back to a different period in American History. There is minimal elevation gain to exploring the fort. However, there are stairs at the fort and some of them are rather steep (Fort Macon was designed for war, not tours, so be careful when using the stairs). Your walk will be under a mile to explore the fort, however a majority of that time will be outside so make sure to use sunscreen, inspect repellent, and maybe bring water on a hot day. A couple of the rooms at the fort are air conditioned/heated, which will provide relief from summer heat and winter cold. For the state park brochure on Fort Macon click Here. For a map of Fort Macon State Park click Here.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed our trip to Fort Macon State Park. We loved exploring the fort and learning about the rich history of this area in Coastal North Carolina. Fort Macon State Park offers public access to the surf, sun, and sand of the Crystal Coast. It is located at the eastern end of Bogue Banks, one of a series of barrier islands along the North Carolina coast, the park is surrounded on three sides by water—the Atlantic Ocean, Beaufort Inlet and Bogue Sound. This area of undisturbed natural beauty is the perfect place to explore salt marshes and estuaries vital to the coastal ecosystem. But the best thing to explore is Fort Macon itself. Here, is a little history on the fort to continue reading more about the history of the fort click the link below:

The five-sided Fort Macon is constructed of brick and stone. Twenty-six vaulted rooms (also called casemates) are enclosed by outer walls that average 4 1/2 feet thick. In modern times, the danger of naval attack along the North Carolina coast seems remote, but during the 18th and 19th centuries, the region around Beaufort was highly vulnerable to attack.

Blackbeard and other infamous pirates were known to have passed through Beaufort Inlet at will while successive wars with Spain, France and Great Britain during the Colonial Period provided a constant threat of coastal raids by enemy warships. Beaufort was captured and plundered by the Spanish in 1747 and again by the British in 1782. To continue reading about the history of Fort Macon click Here. Additionally, if you are looking for a list of activities click Here.

Ashley and I both highly recommend a visit to Fort Macon State Park. It is very educational and is something that the whole family will enjoy doing together and best of all it is Free!

Rating: Elevation Gain: Minimal (Very Easy), Distance: 1 Mile Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 1 - 2 hours.


View Fort Macon State Park in a larger map

Eno River State Park North Carolina (Buckquarter Creek & Holden Mill Trail Loop)

One of the hikes that Ashley and I had the opportunity to do was the Buckquarter Creek & Holden Mill Trail Loop in the Eno River State Park. The Eno River State Park is well maintained and is a great place to go hiking in Central North Carolina. The Buckquarter Creek & Holden Mill Trail Loop closely follows the Eno River and gives you a great chance at seeing local wildlife. For more pictures make sure to check out our Facebook Page.

Directions to Trailhead: The Eno River State Park is located in Durham and Orange counties, northwest of the city of Durham. There are two options to get to the trailhead for the Cox Mountain Trail, which is located in the Fews Ford Access of the Eno River State Park. The first option is if you are driving from Interstate 85 exit 173, take Cole Mill Road northwest away from Durham. After five miles, Cole Mill Road will end at the park's Fews Ford Access and there are signs directing you to this trail. The second option is if you are driving from Interstate 85 exit 170, take Hwy. 70 west to Pleasant Green Road. Turn right and follow Pleasant Green 2.2 miles, then turn left on Cole Mill Road. After one mile, Cole Mill Road will enter the park's Fews Ford Access and there are signs directing you to this trail. For a map click Here, or look at the Google Map below.

Description of Hike: The Buckquarter Creek & Holden Mill Trail Loop is a combination of two different trails into a longer hike. The Buckquarter Creek Trail is a 1.5 mile loop that begins at the Piper Cox Museum parking lot and turns upriver at Few's Ford. The Buckquarter Creek Trail is marked with red dots in addition to the brown signs with white letters. There is roughly a 50 foot rise in elevation with this trail. The most spectacular rapids on the Eno River are viewed from a rock outcrop along this trail. A staircase takes hikers over the outcrop. The trail follows the Eno River and then turns upland going over rolling hills. It is at this point that you connect with the Holden Mill Trail. 

The Holden Mill Trail is a 2.6 mile loop trail that continues west from the Buckquarter Creek Trail from a bridge that spans the creek. The Holden Mill Trail is marked with yellow dots in addition to the brown signs with white letters. The best option is to head left and continue along the Eno River. A couple of portions of the Holdern Mill Trail were a little overgrown when we did this hike. On the way back from the end of the Holden Mill Loop there is roughly 250 of elevation gain and loss before you get back to the beginning of the loop. The total roundtrip mileage for this hike is 4.1 miles with 300 feet of elevation gain.

There is no cost for parking and hiking at the Eno River State Park, but there are fee's if you camp in the wilderness campgrounds located in the park. Trail maps are provided at the beginning of the trails near the parking lot. The Eno River State Park contains more than 3,900 acres of wilderness. There are a total of five accesses to the Eno River State Park: Cabe Lands, Cole Mill, Few’s Ford, Pleasant Green, and Pump Station. To find out the times at which the different sections of the Eno River State Park are open click Here. As stated above the Buckquarter Creek & Holden Mill Trail Loop is located in the Few's Ford access point.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed our hike on this loop in the Eno River State Park. The majority of the trail was in great shape. A couple of sections on the Holden Mill trail were a little overgrown when we hiked this area. We got a chance to see a lot of wildlife while hiking here at the Eno River State Park. We saw several white tail deer, a number of toads, fish, and a beaver dam. For more information on the ecology of the Eno River click Here.

The Eno River State Park is only minutes from Durham, Hillsborough, and Chapel Hill and it offers secluded wilderness trails with the serenity of a clear river drifting and cascading over a rocky stream bed. The Eno River is a swift, shallow stream flowing from northwest Orange County into Durham County for 33 miles where it joins the Flat River to become the Neuse and flows into Falls Lake. Its waters roll through wilderness, passing historic mill sites, river bluffs covered with flowering shrubs, and fords used by early settlers. Rains can turn the river into a raging torrent, yet it quickly settles into a gentle current. It is a chain of rapids, pools, and riffles meandering through forest on a bed of rock. The valley of the river is narrow and steep walled. The rugged landscape has been carved and sculpted by the swift flowing water.

This loop in particular provides great views of the Eno River. You might even see people fishing in the river when you are on this hike. There is plenty of shade along the entire trail, however there is not as much shade once the trees lose their leaves in the fall. If you are hiking during the warm summer months make sure to bring plenty of water and to use bug spray. The only minor negative about this hike was the high tension power lines that run through a portion of the park. Ashley and I both would recommend a hike in the Eno River State Park and both enjoyed our hike on this particular trail. 

Rating: Elevation Gain: 300 ft. (Easy), Distance: 4.1 Miles Roundtrip (Easy - Moderate).

Time to Complete Hike: 1.5 - 2.5 hours.

MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON THE ENO RIVER STATE PARK

Cox Mountain Trail

Buckquarter Creek & Holden Mill Trail Loop (This Post)

View Holden Mill & Buckquarter Creek Trail Loop (Eno River State Park) in a larger map

Eno River State Park (Cox Mountain Trail)

One of the hikes that Ashley and I had the opportunity to hike was the Cox Mountain Trail in the Eno River State Park. The Eno River State Park is well maintained and is a great place to go hiking. The Cox Mountain Trail was a fun hike that we both enjoyed. For more pictures make sure to check out our Facebook Page.

Directions to Trailhead: The Eno River State Park is located in Durham and Orange counties, northwest of the city of Durham. There are two options to get to the trailhead for the Cox Mountain Trail, which is located in the Fews Ford Access of the Eno River State Park. The first option is if you are driving from Interstate 85 exit 173, take Cole Mill Road northwest away from Durham. After five miles, Cole Mill Road will end at the park's Fews Ford Access. The second option is if you are driving from Interstate 85 exit 170, take Hwy. 70 west to Pleasant Green Road. Turn right and follow Pleasant Green 2.2 miles, then turn left on Cole Mill Road. After one mile, Cole Mill Road will enter the park's Fews Ford Access. For a map click Here, or look at the Google Map below.

Description of Hike: The Cox Mountain Trail is located in the Western portion of the Eno River State Park. The Cox Mountain Trail is a loop and is 3.75 miles roundtrip. The hike can be lengthened by adding the Fanny's Ford Trail loop, which adds another mile to the distance. The elevation gain on the Cox Mountain Trail is 270 feet. Trail maps are provided at the entrance to the trails. One of the best things about this park is that the trails are well marked. The Cox Mountain Trail is blazed with blue dots along the trail in addition to brown signs with white letters at all trail intersections.

Additionally, if you are looking for longer hikes, this area of the Eno River State Park offers a total of 14.19 miles of hiking trails along the Eno River. The trails vary from easy to more strenuous, but you can combine a number of trails to make hikes as short or as long as you would like them. There is no cost for parking and hiking at the Eno River State Park, but there are fee's if you camp in the wilderness campgrounds located in the park. The Eno River State Park contains more than 3,900 acres of wilderness. There are a total of five accesses to the Eno River State Park: Cabe Lands, Cole Mill, Few’s Ford, Pleasant Green, and Pump Station. To find out the times at which the different sections of the Eno River State Park are open click Here. As stated above the Cox Mountain Trail is located in the Few's Ford access point.

Further Thoughts: Ashley and I really enjoyed hiking at the Cox Mountain Trail in the Eno River State Park. The trail was in great shape and one of the coolest parts of this hike is the suspension bridge that you get to cross. The suspension bridge is a great location to get good pictures of the Eno River below you. This is a fun hike and you have a great chance at seeing local wildlife while here. We saw several deer, toads, fish, and several different types of birds. For more information on the ecology of the Eno River click Here.

The Eno River State Park is only minutes from Durham, Hillsborough, and Chapel Hill and it offers secluded wilderness trails with the serenity of a clear river drifting and cascading over a rocky stream bed. The Eno River is a swift, shallow stream flowing from northwest Orange County into Durham County for 33 miles where it joins the Flat River to become the Neuse and flows into Falls Lake. Its waters roll through wilderness, passing historic mill sites, river bluffs covered with flowering shrubs, and fords used by early settlers. Rains can turn the river into a raging torrent, yet it quickly settles into a gentle current. It is a chain of rapids, pools, and riffles meandering through forest on a bed of rock. The valley of the river is narrow and steep walled. The rugged landscape has been carved and sculpted by the swift flowing water.

Lastly, while we were hiking in the Eno River State Park there was a small summer thunderstorm that developed a couple of miles away. It was real neat to be hiking in this forested area while listening to the crashes of thunder several miles away. The only negative to this hike is the high tension power lines that run through a portion of the park. Despite that one minor negative, the Eno River State Park is a great hiking location. Ashley and I both highly recommend the Cox Mountain Trail.

Rating: Elevation Gain: 270 ft. (Easy), Distance: 3.75 Miles Roundtrip (Easy).

Time to Complete Hike: 1.5 - 2.5 hours.

MORE TRAIL WRITE-UPS ON THE ENO RIVER STATE PARK

Cox Mountain Trail (This Post)

Buckquarter Creek & Holden Mill Trail Loop 

View Cox Mountain Trail (Eno State Park) in a larger map