Penny's Bend

I like this location very much. It's not a large nature preserve, but it doesn't have to be. Locals have been enjoying fishing and walking here for quite a while. You are bound to catch a sunfish or two and enjoy the quiet of the woods. It's usually not too busy and remains beautiful all year round. Parking is right off of Old Oxford Rd, and admission is free. It is relatively rugged on some parts and has a more natural feel that is hard to find on pristinely maintained trails. You might run into some overgrowth or a wrapper along the way, but that can't beat how peaceful and rejuvenating it is to walk here, even for just 10 minutes.

Nice hike along the Eno. I really like the trails that cut across the field.

Amazing location! Lots to offer for exploring and photography. Definitely worth a hike.

I fished here and caught sunfish, a yellow perch, and a catfish. I plan to go again. It's a very pretty spot, much more wooded than the pictures suggest. The bottom of the bend, as you can see on the map, points South, so you can find a shady spot on the shore all day long if you just walk along the trail on the inside of the bend, although the bank will be too tall for wading in for most of the length of the path. And the trail is narrow with tall grass hanging over it, so check yourself for ticks.

Very pretty getaway right here in the Triangle. Clean, well maintained, clearly marked trail system

Beautiful natural area with interesting geology and flora. Roughly 2.5 miles of hiking trails. If you are familiar with hiking the trails in the Eno River State Park it is worth noting that the trails here are not maintained as frequently and at times can be a bit more over grown. This is also an access point for paddling down the Eno. The trail down to the river can be a bit treacherous and slippery when the ground is wet.

Beautiful trail all year around. Hike along the Eno River, view some amazing rock cliffs. Spring time see some very rare flowers. The NC Cone flower grows only in this area.

One of the best locations for the number of different threatened, endangered and rare species in a very small area. Very good if you need to conduct a species at another location and you want to know what stage that species has reached during the year so far.

Penny's Bend is a beautiful little nature preserve in northeastern Durham. I think it's one of the best places to see spring wildflowers in the Triangle. The preserve protects a small peninsula on the Eno River. The peninsula is formed of a diabase sill that is more erosion-resistant than the surrounding rocks. Over time, the Eno wore down the other rocks and formed a horseshoe-shaped peninsula. The diabase sill leads to more basic soils than the typically acidic soil in the Piedmont and so a variety of uncommon flowers bloom here. A couple trails lead through the open meadow in the middle of the preserve and along the Eno River, including part of the statewide Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Very lovely walk along the river. Wish there were at least one trash can at the trail head.

Nice place for fishing and hiking

Loved it... Took a friend with me there first time fishing in NC caught a nice mess of fish.👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

The hidden gem for native plant lovers.

Great hike with Ed Harris that was arranged by the NC Botanical Garden.

Probably my favorite place to hike in Durham

Good fishing spot. Needs to be kept up for trash better than it is.

Gorgeous trail! Pup loved it.

A geologically interesting place with good trails and a great vista.

Nice, we did the loop part today
Still Muddy 1/6.

Great place to hike, bird, or butterfly