North Carolina Adds Its Third Forest
Located 15 miles northwest of downtown Durham, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is one of North Carolina’s true hidden gems. As its name suggests, Occoneechee Mountain is home to the tallest point in Orange County. Coming in at 350 feet tall and offering visitors a stunning overlook view, it’s well worth your time to make a trek up Occoneechee Mountain, where you’re rewarded with sweeping vistas of the surrounding Eno River Valley and densely forested rolling hills that seem to stretch on for miles.
If you find yourself hiking one of Occoneechee’s many trails in the spring or summer, you may be able to find groves of rhododendron, luscious flats of delicate fern, and several varieties of orchids, including downy rattlesnake orchid, purple fringeless orchid, or cranefly orchid.
Occoneechee Mountain is part of the homelands of the Eno, Saponi, Sissipahaw, Occaneechi, and Shakori peoples and their descendants. These peoples have had a deep connection to this land for centuries and continue to be an active part of its current-day preservation and stewardship. The Eno River Association has been another key partner in the continued effort to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy the old-growth forest contained within the natural area’s boundaries. In 1993, the Eno River Association helped to raise funds to purchase a timber contract meant to destroy the forest we see today. At the same time, the North Carolina Parks and Recreation department lobbied to include Occoneechee Mountain as a satellite of Eno River State Park.
The Eno River Association still plays a tremendous role in the park’s stewardship and conservation today. It was with their help that Occoneechee Mountain was inducted into the Old-Growth Forest Network on November 5th, 2022, during a picturesque fall ceremony. Leaves of every autumnal color swirled around the ceremony attendees and created the perfect celebratory atmosphere to honor such a special place as Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. Local Parks representatives led a detailed hike through the preserve and taught visitors about the rare brown elfin butterfly, which has called Occoneechee home since the Ice Age. Common tree species include blackjack, chestnut oak, scarlet oak, and Virginia pine. Due to the typically mild weather common to this area, visitors can enjoy Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area year-round and marvel at the changes brought on by each season. The trails are relatively easy to navigate and the parking lot can accommodate dozens of vehicles. If you live in Durham or go there to visit, be sure to check out Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area- it will be well worth your time!
