Raleigh Parks is temporarily closing all facilities. For more information, click on the red COVID-19 Alert banner above.
Updated: Mar 30, 2020
Year 1979 | Acres 237
Durant Nature Preserve, formerly the Occoneechee Council of Boy Scouts’ Camp Durant, was purchased by the City in 1979.
The park was designated as a Nature Preserve in 2010 with the goal of protecting and preserving the area’s significant natural resources and providing nature-based recreation and environmental education experiences.
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Raleigh and Wake County, further preventive measures are being taken by Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department to limit activities where people may come into close contact with each other.
Lake Wheeler, Horseshoe Farm Nature Preserve, Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve Park, Forest Ridge Park, and Durant Nature Preserve are closed. This includes the parking lot and any trails within these parks. Other parks open space and greenway trails remain open.
Due to storm damage, the Park Office has temporarily been relocated to the Southside of the Park in the Campbell Lodge basement located at 3237 Spottswood Street.
Check out one of our Discovery Backpacks to learn more about ponds, insects, birds, animal tracking, or nature art! The Park Office loans these free of charge. They are available to be checked out during office hours.
Durant offers year-round general public programs for all ages, as well as self-guided interpretive gardens and hiking trails which highlight our unique habitats and abundance of plant and animal life.
Durant Nature Preserve offers year round volunteer opportunities. For more information about volunteering, call the park office at 919-878-9116.
For nearby fishing opportunities, check out Forest Ridge Park or Falls Lake State Recreation Area.
Visit our bird garden located directly behind the Training Lodge (accessible from the North Entrance).
Enjoy viewing a variety of butterflies, caterpillars, and other insects in our garden located directly in front of the Training Lodge (accessible from the North Entrance).
Come enjoy Durant’s newest garden, located at the North Entrance next to our welcome kiosk. Extensive native plants, a sand feature, rock garden, fairy home building, toad houses, ponds, and much more provide a sensory and natural play experience fun for everyone!
Individual picnic tables are located at both the North and South entrances to the park. These tables do not include grills. Please note that personal grills are not permitted in the park.
Discovery Backpacks are available at the Park Office for families to check out. Explore animal tracking, nature art, pond life, insects, and birds.
919-878-9116 | email
There are five miles of trails that explore the park's 237-acres. Hike along a stream, through hardwood and pine forests, past wildflowers and ferns, through wetlands and alongside two lakes
Mountain biking is allowed on designated trails only when trail surfaces are dry. To check the status of mountain bike trails, please call the park office at 919-878-9116.
Park maps are available in the park office and are posted at key intersections throughout the park.
