Durant Lake One - Copyright 2009 Russell HarrisonDurant Nature Park is a 237 acre park located in North Raleigh, just north of I540. Park resources include five miles of hiking trails (some trails are designated OK for mountain biking),  2 lakes for fishing, an open field for games/sports, a sand volley-ball court and a playground. Check out the park’s features page on the City of Raleigh site for additional info.  You can also print a park map from their website.

The park has entrances on Durant Road and Spottswood Street, a road that circles an office park on Gresham Lake Road. There is also access via a paved greenway entered on Hiking Trail Road.

If you have young children, the Secret Creek trail is a short (.2mi) hike along the stream bordering the north side of the park that ends at the playground. Park at the north entrance to the park (off of Durant Road) and enter the Secret Creek trail near the park office cabin. The border trail that circles the park provides an opportunity for longer hikes. Trails are well-marked and maps are placed throughout the park. 

The lakeside trails offer excellent birding opportunities. There is a pair of Kingfishers that nest along the lakes every year and if you’re lucky you’ll see one of the green herons that like to hang out on the eastern side of the lower lake.

Some important rules to note would be the leash law and no feeding of wildlife.  As per the city ordinance all dogs must be on leashes inside the city limits and/or on city property.  The staff are strict about this one; they've seen many dogs injured by copperheads and other hazards hidden off the trails.  Not to mention the park is now a Nature Preserve, so more care should be taken to keep the wildlife and forest communities safe.  There is also no wildlife feeding allowed for the same reason.

Durant Nature Park offers some excellent summer camps for kids 7 to 12. Campers will enjoy canoeing, exploring the stream and playing games. Pricing for the summer camps is very reasonable.