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Penny's Bend

4.5

Old Oxford Rd
Durham, NC 27712
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Hours:

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

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Penny's Bend
Mapped location of Penny's Bend

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4.5
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Photo of Rick Nelson Rick Nelson
Jan 14, 2018 5

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

Photo of Justin P Justin P
Mar 7, 2017 5

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.

Photo of Jordan Lassiter Jordan Lassiter
May 26, 2020 5

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

Photo of nccarlgreen nccarlgreen
Jun 7, 2020 5

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

Photo of Geri Hunt Geri Hunt
Aug 31, 2020 4

Nice place to visit and relax.

Photo of Devilgorgor.com魔鬼哥哥 Devilgorgor.com魔鬼哥哥
Jan 21, 2021 4

There is no fixed parking place but it is highly recommended by many hiking enthusiasts. I went there once, but I didn't have a guide and I didn't meet anyone I met through the meetup website, so if there is no planned meeting, all efforts were in vain.

Photo of Kaj Poulsen Kaj Poulsen
Feb 17, 2022 4

Easy well maintained trail with views of the river

Photo of Crystal Willett Crystal Willett
Jul 4, 2021 5

Love Penny's bend. Nice trail

Photo of Gary Stout Gary Stout
Jan 6, 2022 5

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

Photo of Jim Cornwell Jim Cornwell
Mar 25, 2021 4

Went fishing over lunch and caught a few. Nice break from work. I'm happy Spring is FINALLY here. It is nice to have a convenient place to go by the Eno River on public land many can enjoy.

Photo of Chris Benz Chris Benz
May 15, 2019 5

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

Photo of OSO LOVE 45 OSO LOVE 45
May 13, 2019 5

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

Photo of Elizabeth Harvey Elizabeth Harvey
Aug 16, 2018 3

Edit: i love this trail but every single time we do it all of us leave with MULTIPLE ticks! Only trail this happens on! Lol We only did about a quarter of the loop but it was fun. Its overgrown and buggy, so wear some kind of spray. Cant wait to go back and do all the trails.

Photo of David Gainey David Gainey
Nov 4, 2018 5

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.

Photo of Huanrui Yang Huanrui Yang
Apr 2, 2019 5

Nice place for fishing and hiking

Photo of Ronald Corey Ronald Corey
Sep 3, 2018 3

Easily accessible fishing spot or place to put out a canoe or kayak. Problem is GARBAGE that losers leave behind. Last time I went there there were NO MORE TRASH BINS AT THE PARKING LOT?!?!?!

Photo of Jon Warner Jon Warner
Nov 13, 2019 4

Nice place, reminds me of a mountain stream. Only thing is people leaving trash and their garbage from there homes there.

Photo of Peter Zarcone Peter Zarcone
Dec 28, 2019 5

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.