Durant Nature Preserve

Durant Nature Preserve was formerly known as Camp Durant, headquarters for the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts. In 1979 the City purchased the land from the scouts and turned it into a nature park. The park hosts a woodchip surface playground, five miles of trails 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. Fishing is currently allowed only on our lower lake boat house dock and fishing dock. All North Carolina Fish and Wildlife laws apply. There is a bird garden, a butterfly garden, a sensory and nature play garden, as well as three rentable picnic shelters, and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.
The lower lake is currently drained while repairs are made to the dam. Once the lower lake has refilled, it will be stocked with small fish. They will need time to reproduce and establish a population before fishing is viable again. Fishing is prohibited at the upper lake, which has no fishing docks or piers. Bank fishing is prohibited by city ordinance because it damages shoreline habitat and endangers wildlife.