Proceeds go toward preserving the beautiful Eno River. ItвЂ™s a July Fourth tradition for my family. My current favorite trail is actually in my neighborhood, but IвЂ™m going to keep that one a secret, as I like having it mostly to ourselves on Sunday afternoons! Find out more great trails on the Eno River AssociationвЂ™s website, and the NC Parks website.Д«e sure to check out the Festival for the EnoВ this Saturday and Monday.

This trail is a bit tricky to find, hence the smaller crowds. Great for catching frogs, if you have a five year old boy like I do. ThereвЂ™s also a nice little sandy area by the ruins. This one is usually a little less crowded than others, and it has some cool ruins of an old pump station. MaryвЂ™s Road Hillsborough, NC Pump Station Trail The PoetвЂ™s Walk at Ayr Mount isnвЂ™t entirely by the river, but there are some lovely spots where you can sit and reflect. I find it peaceful, and it always feels like going back in time to 1815, when the Ayr Mount estate was built by William Kirkland, a Scottish merchant who settled in NC. My husband says this is a boring trail, but I disagree. There are also some picnic sites if youвЂ™re looking to take a rest and snack with the family.Д¦101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC PoetвЂ™s Walk at Ayr Mount One of the nicest features is the swinging cable bridge you can see from the loop. ItвЂ™s a 1.5 mile loop that starts at the Piper-Cox Museum parking lot. My husband and I had our first вЂњdateвЂќ on this trail, eons ago. ItвЂ™s a popular spot in the summer, and there are several easy to moderate trails that start here. Steps from your car youвЂ™ll find a nice wide, shallow area where you can wade, throw sticks for the dog, or let your kids walk across the river with their water shoes on.

You donвЂ™t even have to go very far from the parking lot to enjoy the river at Fews Ford. You can add on the Bobbit Hole Trail for some extra Fitbit steps (and a great swimming spot). ThereвЂ™s always something new about it вЂ“ a trio of turtles sunning on a log, or a crawfish swimming in a shallow pool вЂ“ my five year old is always making a new discovery. IвЂ™ve been on this trail hundreds of times. Here are my five favorite short and easyВ hikes on the Eno RiverВ for you to check out with your kids (or enjoy by yourself!). Now that IвЂ™m towing two young kids with me when I go hiking on the Eno, I have three requirements: easy, short, and with plenty of water for dipping toes and observing nature. I spent some time living near the Great Salt Lake in Utah, and have lived a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean in South Carolina, but Piedmont North CarolinaвЂ™s Eno River is the sweet, humble body of water that always feels like home to me. 91 Addresses Fews Ford access and park office 6101 Cole Mill Road Durham, NC 27705 GPS: 36.0783, -79.0050 Cabelands access 4950 Howe St. IвЂ™ve lived minutes from the Eno River for most of my life.

Eno river fews fords shelter